Money advice helps put money in pockets of Castlemilk residents

More than £500,000 was put in the pockets of Castlemilk tenants over the past year thanks to Ardenglen Housing Association’s money advice project.

Members of the Association heard of the project’s success at their Annual General Meeting.

 Run in partnership with Money Matters Govan, the project has been such a success that Ardenglen has now set up an in-house team to help tenants get the benefits they are entitled to. Overall the project has delivered on average almost £4000 per person who approached the team for help. 

 Ardenglen Housing Association chief executive, David Byfield said:

 ‘I would like to thank the colleague team for another positive year with good outcomes for tenants across the whole business, but our Money Advice Service has been a stand out. Being able to put so much money back into the community at a time of a severe cost of living crisis really does make a huge difference to the quality of life for the people we are able to help.’

 Ardenglen manage around 1000 houses in the south of Glasgow.

 Outside of being a housing provider the AGM heard how Ardenglen continued with a range community based projects in the area including weekly Community Lunch and Breakfast clubs and the development of a new Community Growing Space at Castlemilk Community Centre producing fresh produce for local people. 

 It was reported that the Association’s repairs performance continues to perform better than the Scottish average across emergency and planned repairs.

 The meeting also outlined how twenty four medical adaptations had been approved at a cost of over £63,000  in the year.

 ‘This is an ever growing part of our planned upgrade programme, it allows tenants to stay in their home for longer ultimately easing pressure on the wider care support services,’ said David.

 Ardenglen’s accounts showed an increase in turnover from £4,820,532 to £5,194,465 with a surplus of £739,928.

 ‘Robust finances ensure the Association’s ongoing viability and allow us to carry out a planned investment programme in the year ahead to deliver the high quality homes our tenants should expect,’ added David.

 The Association also plans to introduce a new customer portal in the year ahead.

Pictures shows; A high turnout for Ardenglen Housing Association’s AGM in Castlemilk.