Hillcrest shortlisted for the Excellence in Innovation Award

Hillcrest’s Energy Advice Team has been shortlisted for the CIH  Scotland 2018 Excellence in Housing Innovation Award for our energy top-up scheme.

The scheme, which has received funding from Energy Action Scotland, allows tenants who are struggling financially to receive a discretionary top-up on their prepay meters. The project is designed to help tenants avoid running out of credit and being disconnected.

Joy Watson, Hillcrest Tenant Services Manager, said:

“Hillcrest Energy Advice Team (HEAT) provides an invaluable service to our tenants by offering a range of support to lift our tenants out of fuel poverty.

We believe we are unique in social housing by providing an emergency top-up fund for our tenants who are at risk, or have already been cut off from their electricity supply. This is particularly useful for tenants that are moving onto Universal Credit, who can wait up to 56 days for their benefit to be paid.

HEAT works closely with our Tenancy Sustainment Service who provide advice on benefits and budgeting, as well as crisis support through food parcels. Without this support, we believe that more tenancies would fail and people would find themselves homeless.”

To find out more about the scheme and if you may be eligible for support, please contact customerservice@hillcrestha.org.uk, or 0300 123 2640