The initiative has provided much needed energy support to households, enabling thousands of families and individuals to stay warm, pay off their energy debts during the challenging winter months and keep their energy costs manageable throughout the summer.

In 2024 alone, HACT provided support to over 12,000 households with over £3m of support through fuel vouchers and debt relief. Helping these residents manage their energy costs effectively with fuel vouchers, often supported with more long-term support by the housing associations team. This financial aid has been a lifeline for many, ensuring residents affected by the growing winter pressure can maintain a warm and safe living environment.

One resident who benefited from the scheme shared their experience, saying: “It has made it easier to actually put heating on and to use the cooker without the worry I haven’t got enough credit. Thanks to the help of the affordable warmth service.”

Another tenant added: “It was a worry how I couldn’t afford the heating fortunately the vouchers helped to alleviate the worry & a Godsend [especially] as the weather had worsened. thankful & appreciative of the help received.”

HACT said it will continue to support social housing residents with a further fund launched for 2025. This new fund will again work together with housing associations across the UK.

This work has been possible by an ongoing collaboration with housing associations and charities who distribute the vouchers to residents. National Energy Action estimates that 6.1 million UK households are currently in fuel poverty, unable to afford to heat their homes to the temperature needed to keep warm and healthy. With this immediate financial support, HACT hopes to support residents out of debt and improve the fuel poverty gap.

HACT operations director Alex Lubbock said: “We’re proud of the support the sector has been able to deliver to residents experiencing fuel poverty so far and we look forward to delivering even more impact in 2025. We know the support to residents has been vital throughout the cost-of-living crisis and continues to be, therefore we thank all the organisations who have contributed to the success of the programme and continue to deliver this support to those who need it most.”