We have been working hard to support tenants with the high costs associated with moving into and running a home, through various initiatives.
Since April this year, Harbour Homes have:
- Invested £30k in housing starter packs for new tenants to purchase high-quality used furniture from Four Square Edinburgh Initiative. Eligible tenants receive a voucher for up to £500 (the amount varies depending on what is needed) to choose their furniture and have it delivered for free. They may also purchase brand new items such as cot mattresses and bedding
- Secured funding of £15k from the Turn2us Edinburgh Trust for tenants to access one-off grants for things like furniture, flooring and white goods, and to relieve the cost of living crisis
- Set up a carpeting/flooring fund of £6k for tenants who cannot otherwise afford floor coverings
- Allocated £3k to a white goods/washing machine fund for tenants
Fiona Whitelaw, Tenant Advice Team Leader:
“With the cost of living crisis showing little sign of abating and changes to the Scottish Welfare Fund, unfortunately many more of our tenants are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for essentials such as flooring, furniture and white goods. We’re really proud of all the work we’re doing to secure and free up funding so people can have these essentials in their homes.”