Figures released by the Tenancy Support Team show that since 1 April 2025, officers have worked on 301 cases, with 78 households still receiving ongoing help at the end of the reporting period. The service, which focuses on preventing crises and helping people sustain their tenancies, has also assisted 104 tenants to secure a combined £79,265 through hardship payments, external grants, benefit applications and appeals.

Of that total, £24,863 came from external funding sources to help with rent arrears, household essentials and energy costs. A further package of in-house support has also been made available during 2025/26, including an £8,000 floor-coverings fund, a £10,000 hardship fund and £1,200 for digital support.

The wider impact of the service has also been highlighted through tenant feedback. Of 44 satisfaction questionnaires returned after cases were closed, every response was positive, while 39 tenants said their wellbeing had improved. Using standard social value measures, the organisation said this represented £1,105,636 of social value generated in a single year, an average of £28,350 per household among those who received support and completed a survey.

The team has also continued to respond to urgent need, with 188 recorded requests linked to food poverty since the beginning of Apri, underlining the pressure facing many households across the region.

Colin Hawkins, chair of Osprey’s Housing committee, said: “Supporting tenants and their families to keep their homes and help them live their lives to the full is hugely important to staff and board at Osprey.

“We all know that housing is ‘more than bricks and mortar’ and these days with the ever-increasing challenges people from all walks of life face that’s truer now than ever.

“Our tenancy support is there to offer help and there’s a lot we can do either directly with practical assistance or by highlighting other organisations we know can help when we can’t.”

Domestic abuse awareness has also become a greater focus across the organisation, with all Osprey staff now trained in domestic abuse awareness and trauma-informed practice. The move is intended to help employees recognise when tenants may be affected and respond with greater understanding and support.

That work has been reinforced by specialist provision within the tenancy support team. Osprey’s tenancy sustainment coordinator is now a qualified Independent Domestic Abuse Advocate, allowing the organisation to provide confidential advocacy, safety planning and practical assistance for tenants affected by domestic abuse, while also taking referrals to help people access wider protection and support services.

The association is also working with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and partner landlords to roll out the “Ask for” scheme nationally, creating a more discreet way for people to seek help.

Children’s rights have also been built into the service’s approach. In response to the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, new procedures and documentation have been introduced to ensure children’s views and the impact any action has on them is fully considered.