Homeless charity Simon Community Scotland has been appointed to provide a tenancy support service on behalf of four housing associations.

Hillhead Housing Association, Antonine Housing Association and Arklet Housing Association have offered a tenancy support service to their tenants since 2009. Supported by grant funding from the Scottish Government, the service has assisted well over 500 of the Associations’ most vulnerable individuals and families.

Following a successful joint procurement exercise, and joined by Partick Housing Association, the Associations have appointed Simon Community Scotland as their new provider for this service for up to a further five years.

Simon Community Scotland has a long history of providing support to people with a housing related need which frequently can be impacted on by a wide range of other difficulties. Whether these are life-long such as sight or hearing problems, learning disabilities, mental health; or difficulties at a particular period in their lives such as homelessness, addictions, leaving care or even just finding a first home. More recently the Associations have been able to offer advice and support for tenants affected by recent welfare changes and support people move into new permanent tenancies.

Hillhead Housing Association support worker, Heather Montgomery, has transferred over to the Simon Community Scotland. She is joined by Shona Redmond who will provide similar services for Arklet and Partick Housing Associations in each of their respective locations. The new partnership commenced at the end of April 2018.