Customer Services 0300 123 0773 July 2014 hhomewardhebrideanom housinge partnershipwa newsletterrd How to get help with the Bedroom Tax Are you affected by the Bedroom Tax? Are you receiving Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)? If you are affected by the Bedroom Council Leader Tax and are not currently Angus Campbell, receiving DHP then you Depute First are urged to make an Minister Nicola application. DHP is Sturgeon and HHP an additional Housing Chairman David Benefi t payment made Blaney with the by the Comhairle and phase 1 plans. it is a way to make up the shortfall between your weekly rent and Housing Benefi t award. Scottish Cabinet visit 16th April 2014 Speaking in a statement to Parliament on 7 May 2014, the Deputy First Minister Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon houses and we are very proud of the quality Nicola Sturgeon asked households marked the start of work on the of our new homes both for rent and sale.” who have lost out on housing benefi t development at Melbost Farm that will Cllr Kenny Murray, the Chair of the through the ‘Bedroom Tax’ to access provide 32 affordable homes to rent and Comhairle’s Environment and Protective compensation through Discretionary buy in Stornoway. Services Committee said: “The Comhairle Housing Payments (DHP). The scheme is part of a wider plan for HHP is pleased to have been able to provide Ms Sturgeon said: to deliver 61 homes across the Western fi nancial support towards MacKenzie Isles by the summer of 2015, supported Crescent and to continue our close working “What the Scottish Government is by £4 million in funds from the Scottish relationship with HHP and the Scottish able to do is mitigate the impact of the Government. Government. bedroom tax. Unfortunately, we are not Following the Cabinet meeting in Stornoway “This partnership approach is very yet able to legally abolish it. That means in April, the Deputy First Minister visited successful in delivering badly needed new tenants are still legally responsible for the site, where she announced the start affordable homes and so I look forward to the rent due as a result of the reduction of construction work that has been part- more developments in the coming years.” in their housing benefi t. funded through a £1.8 million grant from Local Councillor Charlie Nicolson added: “So it is important to send a very clear the Scottish Government. “This will enhance the local area and the message to social tenants today. If you The development – MacKenzie Crescent community and provide quality new homes are affected by the bedroom tax, help - consists of 16 homes for affordable rent for rent and sale. is available. But you must apply for this and 16 homes to buy as part of the Scottish “Exciting, quality housing developments help. You must engage with your landlord Government’s low cost initiatives for fi rst like this are most welcome in our and apply for a DHP as soon as possible time buyers (LIFT) programme. community, and thanks are due to the to enable you to pay the shortfall in your The investment comes as part of a housing Scottish Government, Hebridean Housing rent. And you should do so even if you development programme agreed between Partnership and Comhairle Nan Eilean have been refused a DHP in the past.” the Scottish Government, Comhairle Nan Siar.” What to do now Eilean Siar and the Hebridean Housing If you have to pay rent because of Partnership. the bedroom tax and you have The Deputy First Minister said: “I am not applied for DHP you should delighted to announce the start of work contact your Housing Offi cer on this new development at Melbost Farm, urgently on 0300 123 0773 which will see the construction of 32 new who will be able to give homes to rent or buy at affordable rates.” you advice and assist- See our David Blaney, Chair of the Hebridean ance on making an centre page Housing Partnership, said: “We are application to the delighted to see work commencing on Comhairle. pull-out section HHP’s latest housing development, which for the 2013/14 is using a local contractor employing local Mackenzie Park with the site for Mackenzie tradesmen. “HHP has now built over 300 Crescent in the back ground Annual Report Transformed image at Calabhaigh HHP has recently completed external The HHP-owned houses are built above The contract is being carried out by painter work to the houses at a row of privately owned commercial local contractor MacInnes Bros, and is Calabhaigh, which is situated at the units, which accommodate a number of due for completion early in 2015. gateway to South Uist. The twenty four retail businesses including a butcher’s We currently have properties available house estate stands prominently at the shop, a hardware store and a clothing for let at Calabhaigh and anyone ferry terminal at Lochboisdale. and footwear shop. interested should contact John A A variety of colour options were The Calabhaigh properties enjoy MacQuarrie at our Balivanich Offi ce on discussed with tenants during an spectacular scenery from the front 0300 123 0773. open session and there was almost windows, looking across the bay to the unanimous agreement reached about island of Gasay. the fi nal selection. The island is currently being linked to Clear rent account winners Work was carried out by FES FM Ltd the main village by the Storas Uibhist led Lochboisdale Regeneration Pictured receiving her voucher from through their sub-contractor O’Mac Project. This is a £10 million contract Housing Offi cer Martin Flett is Mrs Construction. comprising the construction of two Maclean 9 Pentland Drive who won HHP has received very positive causeways, a fi shing boat pier, a 1st prize of £100 in the clear rent feedback both from tenants and the pontoon development, a new slipway account draw – Mrs Maclean was local community about the new image and the formation of a site for industrial, surprised and delighted with her of the Calabhaigh properties. commercial and housing development. win and plans to use her voucher to replace her old music centre with a modern hi-fi system. Other winners were Catherine Maclean of Gibson Best Estate 2013 winners Gardens, who won a £50 Home HHP introduced a Best Estate/Street Improvement Centre voucher and competition in 2013 and tenants and Sandra Morrison & Michael Stewart Camach Park, who won a £50 Tesco residents were invited to enter their Voucher. Estate/Street into the competition. The judging of the competition took place in September 2013 and Queensland Road was chosen as the winner in the Stornoway Area and Graham Park was chosen as the winner in the Lewis Rural and Harris category. There was no winner in the Uist and Barra area as there where no entries which met the criteria. The winning Street/Estate received £200 worth of garden vouchers to be used to further enhance the appearance of their Estate/Street. Pictured with HHP Board Member Callum Mackay, is Anne Maclean who ACCESS – AIRSOURCE received the prize on behalf of the SERVICING tenant’s and residents of Graham Park. It is important that tenants allow HHP access to your homes to service your BEST ESTATE COMPETITION 2014 Air Source Heating System. A service is required annually to ensure your system ENTRIES ARE NOW INVITED FOR THIS YEARS COMPETITION. is running effectively and effi ciently. Entries to the competition should meet the following criteria: Failure to grant access not only wastes • Entrants must have submitted their entries by 20th August 2014 HHP’s time and money for unnecessary visits, but could also cost you money if • Entrants must agree to their Estate/Street being used in publicity in HHP’s your system is not running as it should. newsletter if they were successful If you are unable to be home at the • There must be an HHP tenant in the Estate/Street entered appointment time given, please contact • Entrants must not have had any external help in the preparation of their the number on the letter to arrange an gardens alternative. Your help on this matter is appreciated. Help for our priority customers - Scottish Hydro The Warm Home Discount scheme The Warm Home Discount is a Government scheme designed to provide fi nancial assistance to low income and vulnerable households. Janette’s memorial bench In the 2013/14 fi nancial year, eligible HHP dedicated a bench to the memory of households received a discount of our friend and colleague Janette Martin who £135 on their electricity account by 31 sadly passed away in 2011. March 2014. After consulting Janette’s family the bench Scottish Hydro expects to start taking was located in a beautiful spot which was applications for 2014/15 from June special to the family overlooking Coll sands 2014. You will be able to download and Broadbay. these at web address: http://www. hydro.co.uk/HelpAndAdvice/ExtraHelp/ PriorityPlan/ or you can call on 0800 300 111 in July 2014 to request a form to be posted to you. Scottish Hydro have other ways you can save money, such as changing the way you pay to monthly Direct Debit and signing up to paperless billing. You can also lower your energy bills by making small changes around your home. Their energy effi ciency advice and helpful energy saving tips provide you with easy ways to save energy and money. Cold Weather Payment Cold Weather Payments are made by the Government to households in receipt of qualifying benefi ts during periods of very cold weather. These payments are to help with the extra heating costs if HHP staff raise money for local charities the average temperature where you live HHP staff were delighted to be able and Chris Macleod of Alzheimers is recorded as 0°C or below for seven to give two local charities a Christmas Scotland Lewis and Harris Services consecutive days.