As a fully mutual Co-operative and being community based (all our homes are within 17 streets in the local Granton area) the Committee of Management and the staff of WGHC have a want and need to help our tenants but also folk from the wider community.
In our previous Autumn newsletter (CLICK HERE TO SEE A COPY), we advised all tenants of various funds available to those most in need:
Tenancy Sustainment Fund
WGHC has a budget approved by committee that is set aside to help tenants with various issues –a tenancy sustainment fund – that, for example, can be used in the event that a tenant has a genuine need for an appliance that has broken (fridge, cooker, kettle, microwave etc.) It has also been used to provide food vouchers, on occasions, to tenant’s who have made a request and justified their need as they have had no food in their home to eat.
Fuel Support Fund
WGHC also has a budget approved by committee that is set aside as a fuel support fund to help tenants who may be struggling with their gas or electricity charges. We also work with and make referrals to ‘Changeworks’ to assist with this. This is open to tenant to self-request, or via a referral from a WGHC Housing Officer who becomes aware of a particular need that is, again, justified and approved.
New Tenancy Fuel Support Initiative
For every new tenancy agreement signed, whether it be for a new or existing internal transfer tenant, WGHC will put £50 on the household’s gas/electricity account to help them get started in their new home. Tenants do not have to apply for this. WGHC arranges this directly with each tenant.
Welfare Rights Service & Debt Advice Service
Through joint working with ARCHIE, (Alliance of Registered Co-operatives and Housing Associations Independent in Edinburgh), WGHC provides free, independent and confidential welfare rights and debt advice services.
WGHC secures additional funding
Many of you will have met our new Housing Manager, Donald Martin, who joined WGHC back in September 2022. Donald has worked within the housing sector for in excess of 30 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to WGHC.
In addition to getting to know his team, colleagues, the working practices of WGHC and meeting as many tenants as possible, Donald set about applying for various grant funding that will help both WGHC tenants and the wider, local, community as a whole.
To that end, WGHC have just been awarded grant funding in the sum of just over £38,000 that is to be used for NON-FOOD related help and assistance to the local community.
As such, if you need help, any help either CLICK HERE or get get in touch, 0131 551 5035 or mail@westgrantonhc.co.uk
WGHC have applied for further grant funding, but have yet to received confirmation of success. As and when new funds are approved, further information will be provided to tenants.
Your information or situation will only be known to those staff or committee members who need to know the information in support of their job role or official function with the co-op.