The coronavirus pandemic is having an impact on all our lives.
The Welsh Government is taking action to make sure help and support is available when tenants need it, right across Wales. Local authorities and registered social landlords have agreed everyone should be treated fairly.
We will:
- Keep you safe and secure in your home.
- Help you get the financial support you need.
- Support you and find solutions if you have difficulty paying you rent.
- Do everything we can to support your wellbeing.
Read the full letter here: https://gov.wales/letter-all-social-housing-tenants-wales-coronavirus
This is part of a Financial Assistance Protocol document that we have committed to. You can read this here.
Our Llandudno Junction office is now closed. We are still responding to all enquiries by email, phone or by Facebook. Contacting us by phone and emails means we can respond to you quicker.
Responding to written communication through the postal system may take us longer because the office is closed. We are following Government guidelines and minimising any unnecessary travel as much as possible.
Thank you for being so understanding during this challenging time.
The wellbeing of our tenants is extremely important to us. From Thursday 26th March we will be contacting tenants to check on you wellbeing and to help with their concerns, starting with the most vulnerable.
We will be asking you:
- Are you OK? Do you need help with shopping or need prescriptions collecting?
- Do you have any other needs or concerns that we may be able to help with?
- Checking if we have the correct/up-to-date contact details and information for you on our system
If you need any help in the meantime you can get in touch with us on 01492 572727 or [email protected]
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak we will only be carrying out emergency repairs and gas servicing until further notice. We are sorry for this disruption in normal service; we have made this decision to protect you, our colleagues and the wider community from the risk of spreading Coronavirus.
We would like to assure you that we are taking appropriate measures to keep you and our colleagues safe during these visits.
What is classified as an emergency repair?
An emergency repair is:
- Total loss of power
- Communal lights not working
- Insecure properties
- No hot water
- Blocked toilet or drain
- No heating
- Fire alarm failure
- Structural issues to property causing safety concern
- Uncontrollable water leak
- Failure of door entry system
These repairs will keep you safe in your home during an emergency.
We are sorry that we can’t attend non-emergency repairs, but please still contact us to log your repairs and we will schedule these as soon as we can. We understand this is inconvenient. However, we are following Government advice to minimise contact to reduce the spread of the virus and diverting all available resources to annual gas checks and emergency repairs, when people need it most.
If you have a non-emergency repair booked in the next few weeks, we will be contacting you to cancel the booking and rearrange an appointment at a time to suit you.
We will resume our usual repairs service as soon as we can. Please keep an eye on our website www.nwha.org.uk or Facebook and Twitter for all updates.
We are here to support you and answer any questions you have. Please contact us on 01492 572727 or emailing [email protected].
The coronavirus pandemic is an anxious and worrying time; as well as worrying about our health we understand that you may be concerned about your financial well-being.
If you are self-employed, been laid off or have lost your job because of the Coronavirus or are wondering whether you’re entitled to statutory sick pay the following link may be useful:
Moneysaving expert website www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/
You can also find out more information about Universal Credit on the Government website here https://www.gov.uk/self-employment-and-universal-credit
The Government has announced that they will cover the wages of employees up to 80% of their pay up to a max of £2500. The details have still not been finalised; we will share more information when available.
Prepayment meters
Unable to go out and top up your meter? Contact your supplier for alternative methods. You may be able to top up through an App, online or may post out a top up card to you.
Please contact the Rents Team on 01492 572727 if you have a change in your finances which makes it difficult to pay your rent. You can contact the Rents Team on [email protected] or call 01492 572727.
Due to recent Coronovirus government guidelines, all our offices and schemes will be closed to visitors until further notice.
You can contact us on:
Tel: 01492 572727
Email: [email protected]
Rent payments
You can make rent payments using Allpay online https://www.allpayments.net/ or via the app.
Updates
Please visit our www.nwha.org.uk or our Facebook or Twitter page for updates.
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus, and the current strain is known as novel coronavirus.
North Wales Housing are putting measures in place to protect our tenants, staff and the public.
Symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Advice
You can reduce your risk of getting/spreading coronavirus by:
- washing your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water is not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
If there’s a chance you may have coronavirus you should ‘self-isolate’ immediately, call 111 and isolate yourself from other people.
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
The most up to date information can be found on the Public Health Wales website here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
Catherine Dixson was appointed North Wales Housing’s new Group Board Chair this January following a vigorous interview process which included being interviewed by a panel of tenants.
Catherine is Chief Executive of Muir Group Housing Association based in Chester.
She previously worked at GreenSquare as Executive Director (Organisational Development & Corporate Services) in Wiltshire and prior to that as Director of Business Support with Synergy Housing based in Dorset.
Catherine has many years’ experience in housing and working for a local authority in education, social services and the fire and rescue service.
Commenting on her appointment, Catherine said:
“I’m delighted to have been appointed Chair. It’s an exciting time to be joining the organisation as it explores its future strategy, growth and development opportunities. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone and making a positive contribution to North Wales Housing’s future”
The Residents’ Advisory Panel had its last meeting in its current form in July 2019, and has now merged with the Landlord Services Committee. This new group is called the Tenants and Communities Panel, a combination of RAP members and Board members, meeting every two months.
Why merge?
- Reduce duplication from the two groups
- Ensure more representation of views from tenants
- Strengthening the role of tenants within our governance structure
Overall Role of the new Tenants & Communities Panel
- Scrutinise and review how effectively the Corporate Plan and strategies are translated into action and performance for customers and communities.
- Scrutinise services, ensuring that the voice of residents is heard and their needs are met.
- It will address the continuous improvement of operational policies and procedures and the opportunities for customer access to services, customer feedback and customer led scrutiny.
You can meet the Tenants and Communities Panel members here.
A Housing Association Comparison Tool has been published on the Welsh Government website.
The link is here Housing Association Comparison Tool
Each housing association is required to publish this link on their own website, clearly accessible to all tenants and other stakeholders.
If you have any questions/issues please get in touch with:
Ian Walters
Telephone Mob: 07890 520184
Office: 0300 025 6050
E Mail : [email protected]
