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WELCOME PROGRAMME FOR SOUTH AYRSHIRE TENANTS

An innovative programme by a housing association in South Ayrshire is helping vulnerable tenants keep their homes and have pride in them with the support of Communities Scotland.

The Tenants Welcome Programme is run by Ayrshire Initiatives, part of the Ayrshire Housing Group, will help vulnerable tenants settle into their homes and overcome the difficulties they might experience that could lead to the loss of their homes.

The programme will work with the most vulnerable tenants including:

• those who have been homeless;

• those young people who have been looked after or cared for;

• young people in their first tenancy;

• those who are likely to face problems due to circumstances including mental or physical ill-health, problematic drug or alcohol use and lack of a family or peer support network.

The Tenants Welcome Programme will provide practical support and encouragement to vulnerable new tenants to help them decorate and care for their new homes.

Roger Popplewell, Communities Scotland’s area director for South West Scotland, said: “This is an excellent example of a housing association working with partners to help people in their communities beyond simply delivering good housing services.

“Many of these tenants will already be receiving housing support. The programme will give them practical advice and support where it is necessary to help keep their homes and to have pride in them.

“We are pleased to support this initiative and to help some of South Ayrshire’s most vulnerable people.”

Louise Christie, director of Ayrshire Initiatives, added: “The Tenants Welcome Programme is a positive and practical way not only to work with many of those who struggle to keep their homes, but also to tackle some of the problems of anti-social behaviour which adversely affect quality of life in many neighbourhoods.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

1. Communities Scotland is contributing £68,000 to the Tenants Welcome Programme initiative from its Wider Role Fund which supports housing associations to help their tenants and communities in addition to their housing services role.

Communities Scotland was abolished on 1 April 2008. This is an archived site and the contents may no longer be accurate. If you are looking for information about housing and regeneration, please visit www.scotland.gov.uk For information about regulation and inspection, please visit www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.