We are delighted to announce the launch of our lottery funded Sustaining Communities Project which is now available to all Dumfries & Galloway residents for the next two years.
The team have already helped 466 Loreburn tenants access support from third sector agencies and assisted with benefit and funding applications to help clear rent arrears and energy debts. These services are now available to all housing association tenants, private tenants and homeowners in the region.
The Sustaining Communities Officers will host local fortnightly Pre-Tenancy Workshops to ensure you have the right information and resources available to you from the start of your tenancy. They can support all residents with referrals to befriending, home help and cleaning services, facilitate assisted bin collections, property and gardens clearances and assist with benefit applications and rent arrears and energy debt repayments plans.
The case studies below evidence some of the successes the team has had:
Case Study 1:
Mrs A was referred due to court action for rent arrears and non-engagement. The project officer made consistent contact attempts including calls, texts, emails, calling cards and out of hours visits and was eventually able to discuss the matter with Mrs A.
Mrs A advised she was working two jobs and had also accrued utility and credit card debts. The project officer carried out an income and expenditure assessment and identified that Mrs A may be eligible for financial assistance through employment related funding. The application was processed along with a referral to Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service for guidance on debt management and consolidation. Mrs A was awarded over £2000.00 in funding which cleared her rent arrears and ceased the court action.
Case Study 2:
Mr B was referred due to not allowing access to contractors for essential works.
A previous referral for hoarding and property condition had closed due to non-engagement, however when Mr B was admitted to hospital, the project officer was able to liaise with NHS staff and Social Work to arrange for the property to be cleared and permit his release from hospital.
Upon Mr B’s release from hospital the project officer maintained regular contact and was able to arrange for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to visit to provide safety equipment and give fire safety advise specific to the property, essential to to support Mr B’s health conditions.
Case Study 3:
Mrs E was referred as she was suffering from social isolation, poor health and lived in a rural setting with limited support. The project officer supported Mrs E to complete a housing application seeking a more suitable home. Meanwhile, following an inspection of the property, outstanding repairs were requested and the project officer was able to facilitate the installation of handrails to enable independent living for now. External services were able to support with errands and shopping, garden maintenance and assisted bin collections were granted. The project officer also made a referral to a befriending service and to social work for further support.
Case Study 4:
Mrs F was referred after her Universal Credit claim had ended and she was now paying full rent charges. The project officer established that Mrs F was suffering from health issues and submitted an application for Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit. Full benefit was awarded and a backdated payment of over £3000.00 was received by Mrs F.