Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Hardship fund to back those hit by pandemic
A new Tenant Grant Hardship Fund is in place to support Monklands residents affected financially by the Covid pandemic – and people who have fallen into rent arrears and are at risk of becoming homeless.
Set up by the Scottish Government, North Lanarkshire Council has been provided with an allocation of £562,000 and will administer payments direct to landlords.
The fund is open to tenants and landlords and has been established to support people who have been affected financially by the pandemic and have fallen into rent arrears.
The grant, which does not need to be repaid, can help pay off some, or all, arrears, to help people secure their tenancy and remain within their homes.
An online form is now live for applications, and applications should be made using this method.
The Scottish Government’s set criteria for the fund is: it’s available to tenants in the private and social rented sector at risk of homelessness; it will cover 12 months rent or less; it is to help repay rent arrears that have arisen due to the pandemic between March 23, 2020, and August 9, 2021; landlords must have complied fully with PARS (pre-action requirements); and it is specifically for vulnerable individuals/ households at threat of homelessness or who do not have alternative sources of support.
Convener of housing and regeneration, Councillor Heather Brannan-mcvey, told the Advertiser: “The main focus of this new grant funding is supporting those most at risk of homelessness to remain in their homes.
“The pandemic has hit communities hard. We welcome this grant funding, which will help prevent homelessness for those tenants and residents who have fallen into rent arrears due to the pandemic and it will also help reduce the number of eviction actions taken by landlords.
“It’s vital we all work together to prevent those most at risk from losing their homes.
“Our trained housing staff will administer the fund. They are available to help and are already experienced in supporting vulnerable people facing housing problems.”
The fund is available until March 2022.