Fusion21 Foundation helps fight fuel poverty
Jo Hannan - Fusion21 Foundation Manager
We’ve funded the HACT 2023 Fuel Fund, a new wave of fuel vouchers providing social housing residents with support beyond the cold winters.
Fuel poverty doesn’t just happen in the cold winter months. The need to increase energy usage in this period coupled with the crippling rise in fuel prices means the repercussions from potential debt accumulated over winter continues to be felt by social housing residents across the whole year.
The wider implications can lead to difficult choices between heating, eating and other essential everyday costs, including rent, for people in this situation.
HACT have now launched their 2023 Fuel Fund which allows housing associations all over the UK to access fuel vouchers for residents who are struggling to pay their energy bills at the moment.
We’ve pledged £200,000 to a fund for residents of Housing Associations in England, Wales and NI.
Jo Hannan, Head of Fusion21 Foundation, said: “We’ve committed £200,000 to HACT’s 2023 Fuel Fund as it is a fantastic initiative that supports financial inclusion and resilience as well as health and wellbeing which are key funding priorities of the Fusion21 Foundation. We’ve listened to our housing association members and understand the impact the cost of living crisis is having on their tenants and we’re pleased to offer our support to their communities. The fund will provide vital support to individual tenants and make a positive difference to their lives at this challenging time.”
Andrew van Doorn, HACT, Chief Executive said: “The need for energy vouchers is higher than ever, and so we’re absolutely delighted Fusion21 have committed so large a sum to the fund as it will allow us to do so much good in supporting those people who really need it. By distributing this generous donation through our existing networks to social housing residents across the UK we can demonstrate the power of the sector when it acts together.”
The latest Fuel Fund will use Family Fund to support in providing vouchers quickly and easily to Housing Associations to distribute where it is needed most to help alleviate the pressures of fuel poverty.