HACT has launched a new campaign in a bid to raise £1m for residents struggling with the cost of their energy bills this winter.
The charitable trust has set up The Energy Hardship Fund with the aim of providing residents with energy and cash vouchers that they can put toward the cost of heating their home.
HACT is seeking corporate donations to the fund from social housing providers, partners, and friends of the sector.
The group’s call to action has already seen a strong response from across the sector, with the following organisations supporting the Fund:
- National Housing Federation
- Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
- Community Housing Cymru
- Housing Digital
- Chartered Institute of Housing
- TPAS
- PlaceShapers
- G15
- Northern Housing Consortium
- The Centre for Responsible Credit
- Ocean Media
- Housing Quality Network
Responding to challenges
Across the country, low-income households including those in social housing are facing the prospect of rising energy prices.
At the same time, cuts to universal credit and the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are making it harder to heat homes affordably.
Fuel poverty is a longstanding issue in the sector, and projections suggest many more households could fall into fuel poverty this winter.
The Energy Hardship Fund – a collective effort combining the financial support of social housing organisations, suppliers and, contributors – has been established to tackle this threat.
HACT has a track record of managing and administering similar fuel voucher funds.
Last winter, it administered funding from the Energy Savings Trust and Scottish Government to support over 16,000 households with their heating and energy costs.
HACT also works with voucher provider Charis and its Let’s Talk Shop portal to make access to these vouchers as easy as possible for residents.
More than 160 housing associations able to access the vouchers through this portal.
‘Demonstrate the power of the sector’
Commenting on the fund, Andrew van Doorn, Chief Executive, HACT, said: “Last year, in response to the pandemic, HACT raised and distributed £1m in energy vouchers to over 16,000 resident households across the UK, through a network of over 160 housing associations.
“This year, the need for energy vouchers is even higher. So we have launched the Energy Hardship Fund.
“Our aim is to fundraise for another £1m that we can distribute through our existing networks to social housing residents across the UK.
“If we can achieve this, we can demonstrate the power of the sector when it acts together.”
Gavin Smart, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said: “CIH is proud to support the Energy Hardship Fund.
“Many people will be experience fuel poverty this winter, a situation only exacerbated by the recent cuts to Universal Credit payments.
“The Fund’s voucher scheme will make a real difference to people struggling with fuel poverty. So it is vital that people and organisations come together to support the Fund.
“The Fund has the potential to make a huge difference this winter and the more support the Fund receives the greater the impact it will have.”
Geeta Nanda OBE, G15 chair and chief executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley Homes (MTVH), said: “The Energy Hardship Fund is a very much welcomed initiative that will make a real difference to people.
“Following the pandemic, and now with the cost of living pressures, these really are difficult times for many households. Alongside the Energy Hardship Fund, through support programmes, grants, and advice, G15 members are working closely with residents to support anyone who is facing financial difficulties or struggling to meet energy costs.”
Sally Thomas, chief executive of SFHA, said: “Across the UK, many tenants are experiencing serious financial difficulties due to the increasing cost of living, rising fuel prices and loss of income caused by the pandemic.
“The Energy Hardship Fund demonstrates how the social housing sector is stepping in to collectively support those who are struggling, and SFHA welcomes this initiative.”
Tpas’ chief executive Jenny Osbourne said: “There is no doubt winter is going to be harder for us all this year. This month, the BBC reported that an extra million households won’t be able to heat and power their homes by next spring as energy prices rise again.
“That’s why Tpas are supporting HACT as they launch the Energy Hardship Fund to distribute financial help to tenants who are struggling to pay their bills.”
Claire Higgins, vice-chair of PlaceShapers, said: “Many of our residents will be affected by the recent cut in Universal Credit, lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult choices that will have to be made, between, food, fuel and rent.
“We will be supporting our residents and other low income households by encouraging our members to contribute to the Energy Hardship Fund.”
Tracy Harrison, chief executive of Northern Housing Consortium, said: “The NHC wholeheartedly supports this initiative.
“We know the long term solution is energy efficiency improvements, but with energy prices soaring we need to take action now and come together to help vulnerable households who will experience fuel poverty this winter.”
- To make a corporate donation, please contact us via the Energy Hardship Fund’s dedicated email address: energy.hardship@hact.org.uk or visit https://www.hact.org.uk/energy-hardship-fund
Read next: Heat and Buildings Strategy: The sector responds
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