 On behalf of everyone at Housing Leeds we hope you’re keeping safe and well and are looking forward to a lovely Christmas break. Over the coming weeks please stay up to date on national coronavirus guidance, how you can access testing, vaccine and other useful information at https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus
Inside this email…
- If you’re worried about money, there’s lots of help available.
- A thank you to our ‘Housing Advisory Panels’
- Your chance to help create the new Leeds Housing Strategy
- Bin collection dates over Christmas
- How to contact us if you need us over the Christmas period
With the rising rates of Omicron across England, every adult is now advised to get their booster jab to give much better protection against the variant.
Don’t let Covid-19 spoil the festive season - getting vaccinated helps you celebrate safely with your family and friends. It’s never too late to start your Covid-19 vaccination course.
Book for your first, second or booster vaccine or find a walk-in clinic. Visit Walk-in vaccination clinics - NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (leedsccg.nhs.uk)
December can be an expensive time of year, with many households worried about making ends meet. If you need advice and support around income – help and support is available:
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The Money Information Centre offers a range of information and advice available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From support with finding employment, debt and benefits advice and ways to reduce bills to low-cost loans or help with funeral costs, the website allows users to find the information they are looking for quickly and easily.
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Money Buddies are a free Leeds based organisation offering one to one appointments, either in person or via Zoom or WhatsApp, to help with anything from applying for benefits and grants to debt advice and saving money on bills. They also offer a virtual walk around your home via video call with practical advice on how to save money on heating.
Here's a couple of examples of great Money Buddies work:
“With the help of our debt advisers a client has had an energy debt of £5,000 written off due to their ill health.”
“One client struggled with a pre-payment meter, not being able to get out to top it up due to illness and bad weather. We’ve now negotiated with the energy company and had the top up meter removed”
Money Buddies are confidential, they don’t judge, they don’t tell and they don’t charge. A quick five minute chat with a Money Buddy could be the difference between getting a good night’s sleep or not. That’s what many of their clients say.
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If you require emergency assistance with food or household bills, contact the Local Welfare Support Scheme or call 0113 3760330.
A big thanks to the HAPs! Did you know that there are 11 Housing Advisory Panels (or HAPs) which meet across Leeds. These are groups of volunteer tenants who consider applications to help fund local environmental and community projects, as well as hear updates and information from their local housing teams. Tenants on the HAPs have met throughout the year. So far supporting over 110 community and environmental projects, committing almost £210k to benefit local communities. If you’d like to find out more about being a HAP member or have an idea for a community or small environmental project, please email housingadvisorypanels@leeds.gov.uk or call the Tenant Engagement Team on 0113 378 3330.
Here’s a flavour of just some of the projects that HAPs have helped fund
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We are updating the city’s Housing Strategy, to set out the long-term plans for providing housing that:
- is of a good standard
- meets the needs of the city’s growing population
- protects the quality of the environment and
- helps create sustainable communities.
To see the proposals and have your say visit: Housing Strategy Update | Your Voice Leeds
 To request a repair:
- Call 0800 188 4000
- Outside of office hours we will only take calls for emergency repairs.
- Swarcliffe PFI areas please call Yorkshire Housing on 0345 366 4403
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Little London, Beeston Hill & Holbeck PFI areas please call Engie on 03331 210 074
To make a rent payment: go to Housing Rent Payments or call 0300 456 0484. You can also call your local housing office to make a payment
For all general enquiries: Call 0800 188 4000 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 10am to 5pm). This number is free from a mobile and a landline. For all ongoing tenancy matters please contact your local housing office
Keep up to date with services available at the Hubs
We welcome your feedback to help us improve the services that we deliver to you. Let us know
 Find information on how to protect yourself and family and friends this winter. Get advice and support on coronavirus (COVID-19), flu and public health, severe weather and flooding, mental health and changes to council services in Leeds.
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