Tag: Harbour Homes

Harbour Homes receives lottery award to help tenants experiencing fuel poverty

Harbour Homes has received an award from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, to help tenants of seven housing associations with fuel poverty and energy efficiency during the cost of living crisis.

Harbour Homes, along with six other landlords that make up the ARCHIE alliance, own and manage 6,000 socially rented properties in Edinburgh.

A recent tenant survey from one of the ARCHIE members found that 40% of tenants had not put their heating on as they could not afford to heat their homes.

The funding allows Harbour Homes to hire two Energy Advice Officers who will:

  • Provide support to reduce fuel poverty, including support to deal with energy debt and avoiding future, energy debt, by proactively identifying households at risk and responding to referrals from ARCHIE members
  • Promote the service to external agencies supporting tenants and work in partnership with local organisations and wider fuel poverty initiatives to better support tenants directly
  • Deliver energy advice workshops and drop in events at local community venues supporting local people with free information and advice
  • Develop materials to share advice and information on energy efficiency for tenants, staff and the wider community
  • Help tenants adjust to net zero energy improvements such as solar panel installation or new heating systems

Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of Harbour, said: “It is vital that we support our tenants at such a challenging time. I’m glad we can offer this service to our tenants and those of the six other members of the ARCHIE alliance.

“With the removal of energy price caps on the horizon and other funding sources and organisations being oversubscribed, this will be a real lifeline for people experiencing the horrendous consequences of fuel poverty.”

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “This project, delivered by Harbour Homes Scotland Limited, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.

“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we can help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during challenging times.”

More than 300 affordable homes coming to Granton later this year

Harbour Homes is working with Cairn Housing Association to create 306 homes at Granton Harbour (Plot S), which are due to welcome their first tenants in autumn 2023. There will be 96 affordable properties for Harbour Homes to provide social housing and 130 Harbour Lettings homes for mid market rent. The remaining 80 properties will be social rent homes for Cairn Housing Association.

A seven-bedroom independent living home and office space with an adjoining one-bedroom flat are also being built for Dean and Cauvin Young People’s Trust to support people in the care system. Dean and Cauvin provide accommodation for young people (from ages 15-21) as well as supporting their transition to living independently.

Pamela Kidd (left), Chief Executive at Dean and Cauvin and Harbour Group Chief Executive Heather Kiteley (right).

Following a visit to the site Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of Harbour (formerly Port of Leith Housing Association), said: “This development is going to offer so much to the local community in Granton and continue our dedication to providing affordable homes in Edinburgh.

“The progress that has been made at this site is great to see and I can’t wait to see the finished high-quality homes.”

Jason MacGilp, Cairn Housing Association Chief Executive, commented: “It is great to see the progress of this important development and we are looking forward to its completion this year.

“Our thanks go to the contractor team at CCG for their hard work on this high-quality scheme. Cairn are delighted to be working in partnership with Harbour Homes and with the City of Edinburgh Council to make a positive contribution to meeting housing needs and the wider regeneration of the waterfront.”

Young adults who visited the site and will be moving into Dean and Cauvin’s unit said: “We’re looking forward to fewer stairs, better beds, having double glazing and having better showers. Excited to be the first group of people to be staying there. Great that it’s next to the seaside!”

Staff from Dean and Cauvin commented: “There will be nicer conditions for staff and it will be good to have a nicer sleep-in room for staff.

“The new office being on the ground floor will mean it is closer to the main living space so everyone can stay connected. It should feel much more like a home. Bigger windows will allow in more light and fresh air.

“We’re most excited about having a laundry room and a nice dining area for everyone to eat together and socialise. It’ll be nice to have a purpose-built space just for us.”

(PICTURED – TOP L-R) Meg Deasley (Director of Property Services, Cairn), Rachel Fraser (Development Officer, Harbour Homes), Jason MacGilp (Chief Executive, Cairn), Heather Kiteley (Harbour Group Chief Executive), Gordon Cameron (Director of Group Operations, Harbour) and Susan Wilson (Development and Regeneration Manager, Cairn).