TENANTS NEWSLETTER
AUTUMN 2023
As well as having your design displayed on the cover, the winner will also receive a £25 gift voucher. To enter you must be a tenant of Ayrshire Housing and be aged between 5 and 12. Please take a photo of your design and email it to info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk by Friday 26 January 2024.
At our AGM on Wednesday 6 September, our Chair, Simon Leslie spoke about the latest tenant satisfaction survey which was carried out earlier this year. Despite all the setbacks to our service due to Covid and, more recently in the construction sector, our survey results remain positive.
The Board is focused on getting services back to the old levels and aiming to improve them further. We have seen an improvement in the time it takes us to complete repairs and attend to emergencies. Getting our improvement works back on track remains a challenge due to ever rising costs and shortages of labour and materials.
At the AGM we welcomed two new members to our Board - Rae Middleton (top left) and Alice Craig (left).
We also presented four of our dedicated staff with long service gifts as they have been with Ayrshire Housing for 20 years!
USEFUL CONTACTS
Is your neighbour always going above and beyond for you and other residents? If so you can nominate them for a prize in our Good Neighbour Award.
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Ayrshire
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Get Involved
To nominate your neighbour, go to your My Home account, contact us on 01292 880120, info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk or speak with your Housing Officer. Last year’s winners are pictured above.
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Ayrshire
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Have you ever thought about becoming more involved? We are looking for tenants who would like to help shape the way we deliver our services.
Over the past few years we have had a small number of tenants who have been involved in reviewing our key policies and proposals that may have an impact on them. We are looking to expand this
group and improve the way in which we engage with our tenants. If you would like to get involved and be part of Ayrshire Housing’s Tenant Engagement Panel please speak to your Housing Officer, drop us an email or give us a call and we can answer any questions you may have.
Competition Winners
Congratulations to all our winners and runners up in this year’s Pet Competition. Lovely Pomeranian Simba (top left) is owned by Mary Boyce of Kirkmichael and was picked as our Winner in the Dogs category. Koda (bottom left) who lives with Anne Kerr in Kirkoswald was named Runner up. In the Cats category, four year old Lola (top right) took top prize. Lola is owned by Adeleine Davidson of Maidens. Runner up was Charlie (bottom right) who lives with Harry Robson in Ayr. Our overall winner was Miya the cockatiel (top middle). Miya is owned by Graham Robertson from Ayr.
Our green fingered tenants did not disappoint us this year! Our judges had a very difficult task but picked a very worthy winner for the Gardens category - James Stewart of Ayr. James’ garden looks amazing (above left). Runner up was Mary Rogers of Ayr (above centre). In the Shared Gardens section, Margaret Green from Maybole took first prize (above right) while Runner up went to the tenants from The Clachan in Barr (above far right). After careful consideration, the judges awarded James Stewart Overall Winner for his amazing garden. Well done to you all.
Keep an eye out for details of next year’s Competitions in our Spring 2024 newsletter. You could win a £50 gift voucher! 3
Our Money Advice team are here to help. See your My Home account or contact 01292 880120 to access this service. Other helpful links are included at the bottom of the page.
A Quick Guide to Managed Migration
1. What's Changing?
Universal Credit was introduced to replace six legacy benefits for working age people a few years ago - see below. Gradually, through changes in circumstances, many people of working age will have already migrated over to Universal Credit. The government is now tasked with moving over everyone else on the old (legacy) benefit system. If you are of pension age or you have already migrated to UC this information is not for you.
The Legacy Benefits are Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. The following are NOT ‘legacy benefits’ - Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Credit, Children Benefit, Guardian’s AllowanceandCouncilTaxSupport.
LEGACY BENEFITS
2. When?
Managed UNIVERSAL CREDIT Migration
We know from DWP announcements that this managed migration process will start to impact on Ayrshire residents from August 2023. It will initially impact on those getting Child Tax Credit and Working Tax credit only – without any other legacy benefits. Other groups of claimants of legacy benefits will be affected from 2024 and the final group to migrate will be those on Income Related Employment and Support Allowance. The whole migration process is expected to be completed by 2028/29.
3. How?
The process of ‘managed migration’ will start with a claimant being sent a ‘migration notice’. They will then have THREE MONTHS in which to apply for Universal Credit. If they fail to do so, then their ‘legacy benefit’ entitlement will end and they will not be entitled to Universal Credit. This, of course, does not mean that they may never claim Universal Credit - they can. It just means that when Universal Credit is awarded, they will not ordinarily be able to benefit from the TWO-WEEK RUN-ON (see 5. Two Week Run-On) and they will not be able to qualify for any ‘transitional element’.
4. Claiming Universal Credit
When people are expected to apply for Universal Credit they will normally have to do so online. The Citizens Advice ‘Help to Claim’ team on 0800 144 8444 can assist people with this. However, if you are a tenant of ours, you can contact Ayrshire Housing's Money Advice team for assistance. Please be advised if you are moving to Universal Credit, you should also inform your Housing Officer of your change in circumstances.
USEFUL LINKS
5. Two week Run-On
When a person applies for Universal Credit, their first payment will not be made until one month plus a week later. To help people through this period it has been agreed to pay them two weeks’ extra ‘legacy benefit’ (excluding tax credits) entitlement beyond the date when they apply for Universal Credit. If they need extra support because they cannot manage financially until their first Universal Credit payday, then they can apply for an Advance Payment - an advance of Universal Credit that will need to be repaid from deductions from their Universal Credit payments.
6. Transitional Award
If it transpires that the total amount of a person’s ‘legacy benefit’ entitlement is greater than the total value of their Universal Credit entitlement, then the DWP will include a ‘transitional element’ payment, in an attempt to make sure that at the point of transfer the person is no worse off.
7. Tax Credit Claimants
Universal Credit is not normally available to people who have over £16,000 in savings (money in a bank/ building society account)/capital (a second property or holiday home). However, Child Tax Credit/Working had no such rule. Under special ‘managed migration’ transitional rules, tax credit claimants with over £16,000 in savings/capital will be allowed to apply for Universal Credit. Under the ‘managed migration’ rules any savings/capital above £16,000 will be ignored for 12 months.
8. Students
People who are studying are only able to apply for Universal Credit in limited situations. If the person who is being required to apply for Universal Credit is a student and getting Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit, then they will be able to apply for Universal Credit at least until they finish their course.
9. Rent Direct
If a person has had their Housing Benefit paid direct to their landlord because of historic rent arrears or because it was considered that they would not reliably be able to pay their rent, then in switching over to Universal Credit these arrangements will stop. However, if the person remains in significant arrears or concerns remain about their ability to pay their rent then they can apply for Universal Credit to pay their rent direct to their landlord.
10. Claimant Commitment
Under Universal Credit people will need to agree a Claimant Commitment which will outline what (if any) ‘work-related requirements’ will be expected of them as a condition of their on-going Universal Credit entitlement. Under this, people may be asked to take part in Work-focused Interviews with Job Centre staff and to look for/be available for work. What may be required depends on a person’s health, caring responsibilities and whether or not they are already working.
11. How best to prepare
It is important that those on ‘legacy benefits’ prepare by making sure that they are not missing out on any ‘legacy benefit’ entitlements. They need also to ensure that they are not missing out on any disability or carers benefits such as Child Disability Payment (for a disabled child) or Adult Disability Payment (for themselves or a partner) or Carer’s Allowance if they are a carer. It is also important to realise that as part of the Universal Credit claim, people will need to verify their income, rent and landlord details as well as their own identity.
Citrus Energy Offers Assistance to Tenants with Fuel Debt
Marc Mian (right) is an Energy Advisor with Citrus Energy. He is originally from South Africa and moved to Scotland in 2015. When Marc arrived in Scotland, he gained employment with Citrus Energy. Citrus had been around since 2013, helping home and business energy users with their energy problems. Marc now works within the newly established partnership between Lemon Aid and the Eydent Housing Alliance (made up of Ayrshire Housing, Riverside Housing, Shire Housing and Atrium).
Utilising his many years of energy and debt advisory experience Marc is now ready and raring to go in helping Eydent tenants with their energy issues. With winter approaching there are many people struggling with fuel debt, supply issues or simply dealing with their energy supplier.
If you are struggling with fuel debt or would benefit from some energy saving advice we can refer you to Marc for assistance. Call us on 01292 880120 or email us at info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk.
Energy Conservation
As the weather is turning colder and wetter, we know that many of our tenants may be struggling with heating their homes. The UK Government has produced a ‘Help for Households’ campaign which offers advice on actions you can take to conserve energy in your home.
Turning down radiators in rooms your aren’t using could save up to £50 a year.
Washing clothes at a lower temperature could save up to £20 a year.
Using your tumble dryer less could save up to £50 a year.
Turning off appliances at the socket could save up to £50 a year.
Taking shorter showers could save up to £40 a year.
Switching to energy saving light bulbs could save up to £40 a year. For more information on saving energy go to https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/energy conservation/. Our Money Advice team are also here to help if you need assistance with money matters including budgeting, form filling and help to apply for funding.
New defibrillator in Main Street
Our staff took part in a sponsored ten mile walk/cycle round the Isle of Cumbrae in June with the aim of raising money to install a defibrillator (AED) outside our office in Ayr’s Main Street. We were delighted to raise an amazing £800 and the device has recently been installed. When used correctly, a defibrillator delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm. If used within the first minute the survival rate can be as high as 90%. However it drops to 16% within the first three to five minutes. More information on this device can be found
Mental Wellbeing
Winter can be lonely and isolating for some people. There are many local charities who can offer support.
Harbour Ayrshire work to empower individuals who are recovering from addiction. Their empowerHER group meets each Friday morning in our public space, The Local. www.harbourayrshire.co.uk
Hope Wellbeing Centre are based in Ayr’s High Street and offer a ‘listening’ and ‘befriending’ service to people who are struggling emotionally as a result of bereavement, loneliness or other difficulties. www.hopewellbeingcentre.co.uk
Minds over Matter was set up in 2019 by local resident Caitlyn Nutt following her own experiences with anxiety and depression. Minds over Matter hold a drop in event at Venturayr, New Road, Ayr from 7pm to 9pm on alternate Tuesday/Wednesday each week. www.minds-over-matter.co.uk
Release Ayrshire is an online men’s support service which provides confidential support and advice to men of any age who are down, in crisis or simply need to talk. www.releaseayrshire.co.uk
Our Wednesday Welcome Club is held each week between 2pm and 4pm in our public space, The Local. This is ideal if you would like to get out the house and chat with other tenants while enjoying a hot drink and cake. We also have themed events each month. If you would like to come along please contact Shonya on 01292 880120 or email info@ayrshirehousing.org.uk.
Repairs and Maintenance News
Our programme of works for 2023/24 is now underway. We will be in touch with you directly if your property has been selected for any of our programmes.
Roofing works for 2023 have now been completed with a total of fifteen roofs having being renewed at a value of £169,000.
Scott Whalen Windows, Doors and Conservatories Ltd have been appointed to provide an external door programme. Ninety three doors will be replaced at a total cost of £169,000. This project will predominantly affect properties in Ayr’s Forehill.
We have identified a multi-year lift renewal and upgrade programme. This year KONE PLC have been appointed to renew the lift at Blackfriars Court in Ayr.
The kitchen renewal programme has begun with the first phase of kitchens being renewed at South Harbour Street, Ayr, along with improvements to void property kitchens by James Frew. This will improve approximately thirty properties at a cost of £167,000.
A bathroom renewal programme is currently underway. Thirty properties are benefiting from this work which is being undertaken by James Frew at a cost of £70,000.
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