A motion tabled by Labour MSP for Lothian, Foysol Choudhury praised Muirhouse’s good financial housekeeping in ensuring rent rises remain low in the face of the cost of living crisis and further highlighted the £200,000 unlocked in benefits for tenants through its free financial inclusion service.

Attracting cross-party support, the motion was endorsed by representatives of the major parties including Liberal Democrat leader and Edinburgh MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton.

The motion was also supported by the following MSPs: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Neil Bibby, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Kenneth Gibson, Pam Gosal, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Paul O’Kane, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance and Tess White.

The full text of the motion reads:

Parliament congratulates Muirhouse Housing Association on its 30th anniversary; notes that Muirhouse Housing Association is a community-based housing association, which seeks to create an area where people choose to live; further notes that the Muirhouse Housing Association was one of the sponsors for the first North Edinburgh Community Festival earlier in 2022; understands that Muirhouse Housing Association is noted to have strong service performance levels compared to the national average, as shown in its Annual Performance Report for 2021-22; further understands that Muirhouse Housing Association has restricted rent increases in the last two years to 1.5% and then 1% to support tenants through the cost of living crisis, as well as offering a Financial Inclusion Service, which, it believes, has unlocked almost £200,000 in additional financial support, and wishes Muirhouse Housing Association and its staff, board members, partners and tenants the very best for the future.

Welcoming the endorsement, Muirhouse chief executive Susan Bell said: “We are delighted to be the subject of this Scottish Parliament motion which has attracted so many signatures.

“We are particularly grateful that the motion highlights all that we are doing to combat the crippling effects of the cost of living challenge which so many housing associations across Scotland are tackling head on.

“This work reinforces the vital role community based housing associations have in their respective communities - going far beyond simply collecting the rent and always putting their tenants and communities first.”