SFHA says further ambition still required to eradicate fuel poverty.
Two House of Commons committees have called on the UK Government to scrap plans to base rent allowances for supported housing tenants on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates.
Scottish Government introduces Universal Credit flexibilities
SFHA lead a campaign to call for £700m for social housing to meet First Minister’s ‘defining mission’ to tackle child poverty.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the Social Housing Fuel Support Fund has enabled housing associations and co-operatives to make over 68,000 direct interventions for tenants struggling to afford their energy costs.
The report – titled “It’s Your Life’s Opportunities” - finds that among the biggest drivers of deprivation have been the exorbitant costs of food and energy, with more than 95% saying that they are struggling with the costs of putting food on the table and heating their home.
While the cap rates set a maximum charge per unit of energy, overall cost will still be influenced by the amount of energy used and type of heating system.
Commissioned by the Rural & Islands Housing Associations Forum (RIHAF), the Highlands & Islands Housing Associations Affordable Warmth group (HIHAAW) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the report sets out the drivers, impacts and extent of fuel poverty in rural Scotland.
The fund is part of the Scottish Government’s wider Fuel Insecurity Fund. SFHA administers the fund for housing associations and co-operatives to provide direct support to their tenants who are struggling with energy costs.
Visit comes as UK Chancellor prepares to outline budget measures