Cost of Living report 2024

In early 2023, WSHA and our charitable subsidiary Willowacre Trust issued a comprehensive survey to our tenants to better understand the areas where we could provide additional support. 714 tenants responded—the largest ever response to a WSHA tenant survey. 

Energy bills were identified as the main source of anxiety, with 168 referrals to our Support Services team around this topic alone. Money advice and food support were also major concerns. 

In response to the survey, WSHA re-evaluated support services in order to better assist tenants. our actions included:

• Expanding the support services team to include a new Energy Advice Officer, a Money Advice Officer and a Financial Wellbeing Officer
• Developing a comprehensive list of partner organisations to signpost tenants to for further assistance, using the ALISS system (https://www.aliss.org/)
• Securing GCVS social inclusion funding to provide the equivalent of wellbeing calls, warm spaces and promotion of free travel for under 22s and over 60s
• Securing funding from Smart Energy GB to promote smart meter take up by tenants and help tenants have more awareness and better control of their energy use
• Reviewing of Asset Management and Repairs processes to prioritise repairs and improvements that will advance the energy efficiency of tenants’ homes and reduce fuel poverty

Willowacre Trust also secured £187,972.50 in additional funding to help directly with the Association’s response to the cost of living crisis as and to support tenants. This funding included over £12,000 in energy vouchers for tenants and £20,000 towards Money Advice and Digital Support. 

You can now read the full report on our response to the Cost of Living crisis here. 

Willowacre Trust, WSHA’s charitable subsidiary, has supported West of Scotland tenants for over 40 years and will continue to do so. Willowacre Trust services, which are free for all tenants to access when needed, include: energy advice, money advice, digital lending library and help with digital literacy, older people’s services, upcycling service, handyperson service, membership of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, as well as the running of two community hubs in the Barrowfield and Charing Cross areas of Glasgow. 

Learn more about Willowacre Trust services here,  or call WSHA’s Customer Service team on 0141 550 5600, who will be able to pass queries on to the relevant team member. 

You can also call Customer Service to be connected with WSHA’s Welfare Rights and Income Maximisation teams, who are able to provide welfare and benefits support and help you make the most of your income.