2023 - July, Our news

Our Tenancy Sustainment Team is getting an upgrade

The Tenancy Sustainment Team (TST) at PA Housing have supported many of our residents with their income by helping them to access benefits, grants, and other financial services to ensure that they’re able to afford their rent and service charges. Now, due to an injection of funding and a big vote of confidence, the support that they will be able to provide is going to be bigger and better than ever!

Our first piece of news is that TST have set on an additional five Tenancy Sustainment Officers in the team! Whilst three are already in place, another two will be starting this month. The aim of this expansion is to reach and support more residents in need (both in the Midlands and the South).

TST are emerging from an exceptionally busy period with the cost-of-living crisis and rent and service charge increases. They will continue to support PA residents with new and existing claims for Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Council Tax support / Reduction, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, State Pension, and Pension Credit. We will also complete full benefit MOTs for all, making sure that people are claiming everything they are entitled to.

We will advise on lower tariffs for water and broadband / mobile phone social tariffs for low-income households. Our aim is to maximise the income of all!

More staff will allow us to set up regular surgeries at our schemes from South London to North Nottinghamshire. We are also partnering up with The Highfields Centre in Leicester to complete regular surgeries and drop-in sessions alongside their own wellbeing and language skills sessions.

On Monday 17 July, we will welcome Dawn and Nikki (already seasoned PA colleagues!) to TST in their newly created roles. As Grants and Funding Officers, Dawn and Nikki will help our team managers to build further on our support for residents. We have partnered with Lightning Reach, who will facilitate our residents’ online applications for grants. Dawn and Nikki will build on existing relationships with other charities while making new ones to identify further support for our residents. They will also raise their own profile within PA, so that the whole organisation is aware of what we can do to help residents in need.

Nikki said:

“I am excited to be taking on this new challenge where we will be able to help our residents financially, especially as we are still experiencing the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. This can affect anyone at any time, so I am looking forward to playing a vital role in supporting residents facing difficulties.

“In this role, I will be able to alleviate immediate hardships and help to make residents’ lives easier by offering support, guidance, and funds or grants where available. Sometimes, the smallest of gestures can have a big impact on someone.”

Dawn said:

“I am really looking forward to joining the team and hope to enhance the great work already being done to help our residents. Life is not easy for many now, and so every little bit helps. As part of the team, I will be providing as much support as possible for new residents and those experiencing financial difficulties due to the cost of living or a change in circumstances.

“My aims are to make the funding and grants that are available go as far as possible and to assist as many people as we can. Supporting our residents to keep their tenancies can also boost their mental health and wellbeing too.”

On 24 July, we will also welcome two Disability Benefits Officers – another new role to PA. Between them, our new team members Sue and Dani have an impressive record of working within the NHS as nurses for many years and experience of working in relevant support roles.

They will be supporting PA residents to apply for Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance for children, and Limited Capability for Work (UC). Sue and Dani will support all the way to tribunal level if needed. This is a service that very few housing associations give.

From 17 July, TST will also be taking on the responsibility for food bank referrals and vouchers. In this current economic climate and due to the nature of the support being given, it makes perfect sense that this now sits with Tenancy Sustainment. TST will be issuing vouchers for The Trussell Trust and other smaller food banks from all over our regions. They will also be doing outreach work at some of these food banks to help more PA residents in need.

So, if you’re a PA resident who could benefit from a bit of extra support, please get in contact with our team at: [email protected] or call us on 0300 123 2221 from 17 July.