Cost of living
We understand that you might be worried about the cost of living and what it means for you and/or your family, that's why it's important to know what help and support is available to you.
More Help At Hand
The ongoing Cost of Living crisis remains a worrying time for everyone. We understand that the economic uncertainties and pressure on household budgets is causing growing levels of anxiety and stress in our communities.
In order to support our customers, we established an organisation-wide Cost of Living Taskforce and listened to our customer feedback to identity some of the greatest challenges and how we could support. We have explored how we can reduce, mitigate and remove some of these challenges. We have been successful in securing some external financial support and we will continue to explore potential grant funding opportunities to assist our customers where we can. You can read about some of our initiatives on the right.
Please speak to our Customer Solutions Team on 0131 444 1200 or you can reach out to your Customer Partner should you require any help, support or advice.
Our Hardship Fund was established in response to the cost-of-living challenges being experienced by our customers. The fund - which is only available for Trust customers - is targeted to support some of our most vulnerable customers and is a maximum of £250 per household.
Speak to your Customer Partner if you would like to apply or learn more about the fund. Alternatively contact our support team in the first instance.
We offer a dedicated Benefits Advice Service for all customers and the team are here to help and support you. You can find out more information about this service as well as download our Easy Guide to Benefits by visiting our dedicated Benefits Advice Service page.
Please get in touch today if you require any support or assistance in claiming benefits or reviewing what benefits may be available to you.
The Scottish Government has published lots of useful information and advice with the aim of helping you to save and manage your money. Find out what support is available to help across themes such as energy and bills, benefits and income, children and families, debt and money, health & wellbeing and more by visiting the dedicated section of their website.
Previous Funding
We were awarded £25,000 by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to support our customers over last winter. We targeted financially vulnerable general needs households living in North Lanarkshire.
We were able to support 500 households on low incomes with £50 Scotland Loves Local vouchers.
This fund is now closed.
We collaborated with our community partners on the Isle of Arran to secure grant funding of £30,500 to support our customers and the local community with the cost-of-living. The funding supported Trust to provide all 290 tenants on Arran with £100 co-op vouchers and provide financial support to three community partner groups who are contributing to reducing cost-of-living pressures on Arran.
The funding included £20,000 from the National Lottery with the remainder match funded by Trust and some of our suppliers via voluntary community benefit funding.
This fund is now closed.
In autumn 2023, we successfully applied for more funding to support our customers, adding to our list of initiatives offering Cost of Living support directly to you.
This time, we were granted £120,000 by SFHA (Scottish Federation of Housing Associations) to support the delivery of energy efficient measures including small appliances and essential warmth items for Social Housing tenants. This included the distribution of heated blankets, duvets, slow cookers and air fryers.
The products we provided to our tenants contribute to mitigating the negative impacts of the combined Energy Crisis and Cost of Living Crisis. The provision of Air Fryers and slow cookers provide energy efficiency savings. These products also promote healthier eating, while slow cookers reduce the need for use of cooking oils/pans. High Tog Winter Duvets have the most benefit for households that are forced to keep the heating off/very low overnight to save money. Heated throws are also a cost-effective alternative to keeping warm where central heating is kept off/low.
The Social Housing Fuel Support Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and managed and administered by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations. It aims to provide practical support to social landlords’ tenants to mitigate fuel poverty, and to help manage, or reduce, fuel costs.
This fund is now closed.
Upon receipt of any item under the Social Housing Fuel Support Fund (SHFSF), customers will be responsible for the maintenance of their item(s) which will have been gifted by Trust Housing Association.
If your air fryer or slow cooker develops a fault within 30 days of delivery, you can contact the supplier Curry’s for a replacement: Returns - Currys Business. After 30 days, you will need to contact the manufacturer of the item to discuss.
If your duvet develops a fault up to 30 days, please contact the supplier Out of Eden to discuss: Delivery & Returns | Hospitality Supplier | Out of Eden
If your heated throw develops a fault up to 1 year, please contact the supplier Robert Dyas to discuss: Delivery & Returns | Robert Dyas
If you require a proof of purchase to proceed with the above, please contact Trust’s Business Support Team at c@trustha.org.uk.
The Housing Association Energy Advice Support Service gave our customers access to energy information, advice and advocacy.
We partnered with Changeworks to deliver this service, they are Scotland’s leading environmental charity and experts in providing energy advice and support.
The service aimed to help you stay affordably warm at home and included:
- Access to the Housing Association Energy Support Service online advice library.
- Regular emails or letters over the coming months around energy advice.
- Access to telephone advice from Changeworks for more in-depth energy advice.
- Tailored one to one support over the phone from Changeworks, if you have more complicated problems such as energy billing issues or debt and are looking to speak to someone.
This fund is now closed.