A Helping Hand When It's Needed Most
Last updated: 5.31pm, Tuesday 7th November 2023
Thenue tells AGM of unprecedented help tenants are getting to ward off cost of living crisis
OUR tenants are receiving unprecedented levels of help to ward off the cost of living crisis.
The scale of the housing association’s intervention on a range of issues was revealed to members at our AGM this week.
The stand-out achievement related to the efforts of Thenue’s Financial Inclusion team which put a colossal £1.1 million back into tenants’ pockets – largely in benefits which were not being claimed.
And in a timely development at a time of soaring fuel prices, we have TRIPLED our energy advisors from 1 to 3 to cope with demands from tenants and customers.
On energy related help, during the year we recorded 470 instances of assistance resulting in £49,000 in energy savings for tenants, delivered £19,000 in energy top ups and secured £18,0000 in fuel debt payments.
Our Chief Executive Gary Naylor described the energy support for tenants “a vital resource” and was now needed more than ever.
Gary said: “We’ve been working hard to provide the best value we can in a challenging environment. We fully understand that this environment is a difficult one and we will be again giving serious consideration to how we balance rent affordability with the costs of maintaining and investing in our stock.
“We were able to offer a 5 per cent rent increase in the face of inflation peaking at 11 per cent due to sound financial management, internal efficiency and management of the investment programme.”
Turning to Thenue’s development programme, Gary said there had been the successful delivery of 77 homes in a landmark development at Abercromby Street in the east end of Glasgow and in the community of Blackhill where 18 properties were completed.
Twenty seven flats for older people have just been finished and work will start soon on 10 one bedroom flats in Bridgeton.
Forty one properties ranging from one bedroom homes to five bedroom properties will also transform a large derelict site in Dalmarnock with their energy provided by an innovative local district heating network.
Meanwhile, Pauline Casey in her address as Chair thanked the work of our Area Associations which are affiliated organisations saying: “These are made up of active residents who are passionate about the areas in which they live and make a real difference. We are grateful for their ongoing contributions.”
Pauline and Gary both talked of the Thenue Strategy for 2023-28, launched earlier this year and maps the way forward for the Association over a five year period.
Pauline added: “Our tenants, customers and communities are at the heart of all we do and the decisions we make. With this direction we will continue to work hard to improve the services we provide and, in partnership with our contractors, deliver high levels of performance.”