Leeds Jewish Housing Association (LJHA) has generated £1,000 of Social Value Credits commissioning works for the extension, refurbishment and re-modelling of flats at Stone Court in Leeds through EN:Procure’s Frameworks which they are using to supplement their Helping Hands Hardship Fund for tenants.
Such hardship funds provided by social housing landlords are needed now more than ever, with the escalating crisis in the cost of living arising from the recent significant increase in fuel and energy costs, which has led to more residents struggling to afford unexpected and planned household expenditure.
The Helping Hands Fund aims to support LJHA tenants in extreme financial difficulty by offering limited financial assistance to support them in times of hardship. The Fund offers tenants grants to replace faulty kitchen equipment, assistance to furnish their home such as decorating expenses and furniture costs and assistance with costs to move home.
From April 2022, Leeds Jewish HA will begin to let its major new flagship development of 200 properties in Hillside and Cherry Tree House. As a result, it is expected that demand for the Hardship Fund supporting new residents to furnish their new homes will soar.
This fund will support up to at least 4 to 5 residents over the next year.
A previous recipient of a Helping Hand grant said, “When my washing machine broke, I did not know where to turn. I felt the stress and additional cost of having to go the launderette to wash my family’s clothes. I knew I could not afford to have it repaired. I spoke to my Housing Officer, who told me about the Helping Hands fund. They helped me complete the form, and then I was offered some money to help me buy a new second-hand washer. I feel so relieved. I felt the pressure taken off me.”
Jane Wynick, Chair of Leeds Jewish Housing Association said, “Our Housing Management staff will offer the best service possible to support our residents. However, we have limited resources to provide our residents with a grant to support them in time of hardship. In the current times of the living cost squeeze, we are really grateful to EN:Procure for the donation of this grant to support our residents that are most in need to be able to overcome any particular hardship that they have and thereby sustain their tenancy.”
Mark Grandfield CEO of Leeds Jewish Housing Association said, “Our staff team here at LJHA have a very close relationship with our residents and we’re here to offer significant support but like any organisation our own resources can only stretch so far. The current cost of living pressures are obvious, with real risks that those already vulnerable could be made more so. With that in mind we are really grateful to EN:Procure for the donation of this grant to our Helping Hands Fund, this will go directly to supporting those residents that are most in need during times of difficulty.”