Salix Homes supports Energy Hardship Fund

Salix Homes is backing a national campaign to support low-income households experiencing fuel poverty this winter.

We have pledged £1,500 to the Energy Hardship Fund, launched by HACT (Housing Association’s Charitable Trust) to supply fuel vouchers to social housing tenants struggling this winter.

HACT is aiming to raise £1million through donations from the social housing sector, which will be redistributed as fuel vouchers.

Sian Grant, executive director of operations, at Salix Homes said: “Salix Homes is proud to support the Energy Hardship Fund, which will provide a lifeline for many low-income households, including our own tenants in Salford, who are experiencing fuel poverty and financial hardship this winter.

“Rising energy prices, coupled with the reduction in Universal Credit and the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, will see many people forced to make difficult decisions between heating and eating this winter.

“We have already put in place a number of support measures for our own tenants, but it’s essential that organisations like ourselves work together to support people in our communities who are struggling, and we welcome this initiative from HACT, which will make a real difference for people living in poverty.”

So far HACT has raised more than £250,000 through corporate donations, and with the addition of grants are closing in on the £1m target.

Andrew vanDoorn, chief executive at HACT, added:“Last year, in response to the pandemic, HACT raised and distributed £1 million in energy vouchers to over 16,000 households across the UK, through a network of over 160 housing associations.

“This year, the need for energy vouchers is even higher.So,we have launched the Energy Hardship Fund. Our aim is to fundraise for another £1 million that we can distribute through our existing networks to social housing residents across the UK. If we can achieve this, we can demonstrate thepower of the sector when it acts together.”