The funding, received via the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Fuel Support Fund which is managed and administered by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), is available to any Abronhill tenant and is in response to rising energy and living costs.

Abronhill Housing Association, one of the smallest community-based housing associations in Scotland, has previously assisted tenants with financial support from the Scottish Government’s Communities Recovery Fund. It works alongside Cumbernauld Food Bank and has also been able to support it by providing resources to allow it to offer residents food parcels.

The Association knows its tenants very well and is able to step in and provide support for those families and individuals in need.

Amanda Herson, housing officer, said: “Many of our tenants face difficult decisions every day in trying to make ends meet, and this support will hopefully make a small difference to their daily lives.”

Debs Allan, innovation and future thinking manager at SFHA, said: “Housing associations and co-operatives work hard to make their homes energy efficient and to reduce the cost of heating them. At a time when energy costs are rising at pace, we are delighted to have been able to help Abronhill Housing Association to support tenants who may be struggling.  The funding from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Fuel Support Fund will help strengthen the vital work social landlords do to tackle fuel poverty.” 

As well as providing support for ongoing household energy costs, the Association is supporting a number of families and individuals who have a Thermaflow Electric Heating system. These are very expensive and inefficient to run and whilst we are part way through a replacement programme for these systems, we are keen to offer those tenants additional support until their new heating system is installed.