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Each year we (Grampian Housing Association) review our rents on the 1 April to take account of inflation, changes in interest rates charged on our loans and year on year cost increases. We have now reached the time in the year where we must start to consider our rent charges for the next financial year, 2024-25.

Legally, we are required to consult our tenants about proposed rent increases, and to take account of your opinions before we make a final decision on how we will balance our budget.

We understand that any rent increase, particularly during the current cost of living crisis, will be unwelcomed, however, during the last 12 months the cost of managing, maintaining and improving homes increased on average by 18%.  This increase, coupled with ambitious targets set by the Government to improve the energy efficiency of our homes which will lower utility costs and decarbonise heating, as well as increasing compliance with health and safety measures, means that we simply can no longer afford to increase rents below the level of inflation.

Click here to see a copy of the letter which has been sent to Grampian tenants.

It was a double win for Grampian Housing Association at this year's Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland Awards Cermony.  Our new Heat and Eat initiative was announced the winner of the Excellence in Health and Wellbeing category.  There was also success for the Association's Chief Executive who won the Lifetime Achievement Award.  

The Heat and Eat initiative was launched earlier this year to address soaring energy bills and the cost of living crisis which is severely affecting many of the our tenants. With funding of £166,000 from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Fuel Support Fund energy top-up payments of £245 were awarded to over 600 tenants.

An additional £20,000 was secured from The National Lottery Community Fund. This enabled slow cookers, air fryers, heated throws, winter duvets and warm clothing to be supplied to tenants. Fresh food packs were also distributed in partnership with CFINE (Community Food Initiatives in North East Scotland), a local organisation tackling poverty.

Rachel Byiers, Support Services Manager at Grampian said:- “We recognise the financial stress many of our tenants are experiencing and the tough choices they sometimes have to make between eating and heating.

"Through our money advice, housing support and energy advice projects we will continue to support our tenants in any way we can. We want to encourage our tenants to speak to us if they require any assistance. Thank you to our tenancy sustainment team for the work they do to support our tenants.

“By addressing the practical needs of tenants, Grampian is helping to reduce the anxiety associated with debt and fuel poverty which in turn helps to improve the health and wellbeing of tenants.”

The CIH Scotland Housing Awards recognise the creativity, passion and innovation of housing organisations and individuals across the sector. This year’s awards received over a hundred nominations across 19 categories.  The Association's zero emission heating project at Mackenzie Gardens, Turriff was shortlisted in the Net Zero in Housing category.  Margaret Waddell, former Business Improvement Manager was also shortlisted for the in the Lifetime Achievement which was won by Craig Stirrat, Grampian's Chief Executive.

The Old School - Aberdeenshire Council

Our ambitious Old School regeneration project at Abergeldie Road, Ballater has won the Building communities for the future category and was also commended in the Conservation and building adaptation category in the Aberdeenshire Architectural and Landscape Design Awards 2023.

Designed by Ian Rodger Architects and owned by Grampian Housing Association (GHA), the housing development provides 24 properties for social rent (a mix of one, two and three bedroom flats and two and four bedroom family houses).

The design team also comprised McCue & Porter, quantity surveyor, Ramsay & Chalmers, structural engineer and Gordon Mitchell Contractors, builder.

Significantly, the development brought a building at risk back into use. It sympathetically combines retention of old buildings with new build through the use of modern materials. The quality of the refurbishment is extremely high. Real slates, traditional harling and lime mortar have all been used while window openings and the style of timber windows in keeping with the age of the building have all been retained. In addition, modern extensions and annexe buildings were removed to return the school to its original design.

Ian Rodger said: “We are overjoyed to have been recognised in those two categories.

“Well done to Grampian Housing Association, to have been proud enough of the finished scheme to put it forward for the award.”

The judges commented:- “The development is well thought out and provides a variety of properties within the former school buildings as well as the creation of new properties on the site. Through the positioning of the dwellings and the use of communal greenspaces, a welcoming and successful community has been created.

“Large buildings such as this are becoming obsolete, new uses need to be found for them to stop their deterioration and eventual loss. The Old School is a good example of how they can be reused and shows that it can be successfully achieved.”

Craig Stirrat, chief executive of Grampian Housing Association said:- “From the outset of the project there was a keen desire to provide well designed, high amenity and attractive housing so my thanks to Ian Rodger Architects for helping us to deliver on this.

“The development demonstrates how a considered layout, incorporating landscaping and green open spaces, can create balanced communities as well as deliver on housing need.

“In terms of wider regeneration benefits, the building was saved from decay which was important for local residents.”

The site of Grampian’s regeneration project in Ballater was identified in the Local Plan for affordable housing given the huge shortage in this rural area. It means more people have the rare opportunity to stay in the village which is their local area.

The building was disused, listed and situated within the Ballater Conservation Area. Through the introduction of flats and family homes, the site contributes to the wider community, including employment opportunities, supporting the local economy, protection of the local primary school and is a good example of a 20-minute neighbourhood.

The development attracted Scottish Government funding of £1,791,984 while Grampian contributed £2,338,907 through capital borrowing. Aberdeenshire Council Top Up Grant amounted to £198,000. The contract value was £3,464,710. The project also qualified for RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) funding of £282k over 20 years.

Grampian worked with Aberdeenshire Council to establish a Local Lettings Plan to ensure local people benefitted from the new homes. The ground floor accommodation is aimed at the ageing population in Ballater and young single people who could not otherwise afford to move out of their parents’ homes. There are also adapted properties with level access showers. In particular, the Association is supporting a local family who has a child with disabilities by providing accessible housing.

Ballater is Grampian’s first development to trial Switchee, a Smart asset management tool which ties into our wider sustainability strategy by monitoring the building’s health and optimising energy use. Lowering bills and reducing energy consumption makes it good for both tenants and the environment. In an effort to ensure building regulations were met and the carbon footprint of the new development was mitigated, ground source heat pumps have been installed to provide heating and hot water to the new properties. This also future-proofs the properties from a reliance on fossil fuels.

Our Chief Executive, Craig Stirrat, won the Lifetime Achievement award in housing at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland (CIHS) annual awards ceremony.  It was awarded in recognition of the lasting impact he has made on the housing sector having gone the extra mile during his career.

In accepting the award, Craig Stirrat said:- “To be honoured by my peers in the CIH is truly humbling and I appreciate the warmth and support from friends and colleagues, in particular my thanks to Board members and colleagues at Grampian Housing Association.

“Having held various housing management, strategic planning and asset management positions with Aberdeen City Council, Fife Housing Group and now Grampian, I am passionate and committed to driving positive change in the sector and leading colleagues to put tenants at the heart of service delivery.”

Craig was promoted to chief executive of Grampian in 2022 having joined in 2014 as director of business development when he re-established the development programme, increasing Grampian’s provision of new homes for social and mid-market rent from 3,300 to 3,800 and still growing.

While at Aberdeen City Council, Craig introduced its first anti-social behaviour helpline and mediation service; developed the scale of its homeless service and supported the establishment of Aberdeen Foyer, a local charity addressing youth homelessness and unemployment. He also improved collaboration with NHS Grampian around improved delayed discharges.

Craig has become an ambassador for housing in Scotland. He served for over 10 years on the CIH Scotland Board and is a former chair of the branch. He has also served on the UK HouseMark Board and the Scottish Advisory Board as well as on the Board of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.

Abhi Agarwal, chair of Grampian Housing Association said:- “I am delighted that Craig Stirrat has won the Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of his services to the housing sector.

“I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Craig’s 40 years in housing. This recognition is a great day for social housing. I am proud and humbled to be the chair of Grampian and having the opportunity to work with Craig.”

Margaret Waddell, former Business Improvement Lead was also shortlisted for the Lifetime Achievement award.