Recognition for helping hand

Staff from Perth and Kinross Council’s housing service have claimed a prestigious national award for their work to resettle people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Their ‘PKC Lets & Ukraine Landlord Offer’ project was the winner in the Excellence in the Private Rented Sector category at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland Awards in Glasgow on October 27.

The council’s private sector housing team put together a package of incentives for local private landlords to make properties available to vulnerable Ukrainian people displaced by the war and provided accommodation to many families in their hour of greatest need.

A spokesperson for the local authority explained that the project has increased the supply of homes available for affordable private rent “in an otherwise challenging market” and has prevented vulnerable families from becoming homeless and reliant on temporary accommodation.

The PKC representative continued: “Encouraging the use of private-rented housing recognises the pre-existing pressures on social housing from local residents.”

PKC Lets was launched in 2010 and is said to be one of the only examples of a social letting agency managed and delivered by a local authority in Scotland.

Councillor Tom McEwan is the convener of PKC’s housing and social wellbeing committee.

The SNP Blairgowrie and Glens ward elected member said: “To date this approach has secured over 50 privaterented properties for individuals and families displaced by the terrible conflict in Ukraine.

“PKC has developed strong relationships with landlords over many years and we recognise the important contribution that private landlords make to affordable housing.

“I’d like to offer my warm congratulations to everyone on the team who has worked so hard to make the scheme a success.”