A portion of the huge £1.47million Government Housing Support Fund will be distributed by Harrow Council to residents across the borough with the focus being on children, vulnerable households and council tax support.
Harrow Council is to dispense the Grant by the end of September, with the council ‘keen distribute the money as quickly as possible as the cost of living concerns increase.’
During the May half-term, the council allocated free school meal vouchers ahead of the funds being released, one of the first decisions made by the new Conservative council administration in the borough.
One-third of the money must also be used to support pensioners, and Harrow will use it to provide a £105 payment to the most vulnerable that are in receipt of Council Tax Support.
The payments will be paid by Post Office vouchers, which can be used for food or energy and utility bills.
At least one-third of the money must also be used to support households with children, and Harrow will use it to provide further Free School Meal vouchers, £3 a day per child, distributed through the existing school systems.
The remaining money will be used to support other vulnerable households with Harrow Council stating they will use it to support the ‘Help Harrow Community Hub’ with a £135,000 grant.
Cllr Stephen Greek, Cabinet Member for Performance, Communications & Customer Experience said: “We’ve considered how best we can put our residents first, and help those most in need during these challenging times. We are providing support to as many people as possible whilst ensuring that the help is not spread too thinly. It is vital that we get this money out to where it is most needed.”
Source: Harrow Council
