Almond Housing Association (AHA) has created a package of support for people who are experiencing increased fuel costs.

The pandemic has required people to spend more time at home and their energy costs are rising as a result. The company has drawn on the expertise and support of a number of local partners, all with the same aim of helping people who are experiencing fuel poverty.

Support from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT), Energy Action Scotland (EAS) and Changeworks has allowed AHA to provide a full package of support, including fuel vouchers, pressure cookers and energy advice sessions.

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In a statement the company said: "We worked with the SFHA and HACT to apply for Scottish Government funding through the Scottish Social Housing Fuel Support Fund. This funding allowed us to provide fuel vouchers to tenants who were experiencing debt or higher than usual costs for their energy bills.

"We worked with EAS to provide tenants with pressure cookers that would help to reduce the cost of cooking. Five pressure cookers were gifted to AHA tenants from the EAS campaign and Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean, provided introductory videos to show tenants how to use the cooker. Following the success of the original role out, we purchased another 125 pressure cookers for other tenants in need. The energy efficient pressure cookers could save families up to 50% on their cooking bills. Response Building Maintenance Services, who are contracted by AHA, then offered to help distribute the pressure cookers to those in need."