IRVINE Housing Association have been looking after vulnerable residents during the coronavirus pandemic and continuing to house people in urgent need a home.

The team who are now working remotely after their offices shut in March, have made 1,300 supportive calls to customers, including around 500 tenants aged over 65.

The calls have been to check on wellbeing, with the team dedicating more than 330 hours on the phone to customers.

Housing Officer Jocelyn McConnell has been helping residents who have been left isolated due lockdown measures, with some only stepping outside once a week for the Clap For Carers.

She said: “We’ve spent days on the phone to our tenants and they are immensely grateful for the support.

“Some have said our phone call is the only contact they’ve had for days, and others are only leaving their front door to do the Clap For Carers once a week. So that shows how valuable this contact has been, and it has been really rewarding for our team to do as well.”

Throughout the difficult period, IHA have also helped tenants who are struggling financially to seek support.

Irvine Housing Association Managing Director Paul Hillard said: “This has been a tough time for everyone, staff and customers alike, but I am so proud of the way our team has responded to the huge challenge we’ve faced over the past two months.

“I would like to thank all of our customers for their patience and wish them health and best wishes as we continue to deal with this difficult situation. We will continue working hard to deliver as many services as possible.”

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