Supporting Constituents Through the Housing Emergency

claudiamalallah
Sep 5
2 min read

Since publishing my June update on the Fife Housing Emergency, my office and I have been working hard to support constituents and engage with key stakeholders.

In early August, I met with Fife Council’s Head of Housing, John Mills, to raise my concerns about the ongoing crisis and to learn more about Fife’s diverse housing programme. I was reassured by the steps being taken locally and by the Council’s ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government, and I look forward to receiving further updates on their work.

Following this meeting, my team also sat down with representatives from the North East Fife Housing Department to review cases we’ve been supporting. This was a very constructive session, where:

26 cases were raised, covering both housing requests and repair issues.
4 cases were resolved, with properties successfully secured for each applicant.

These positive outcomes are thanks to the hard work of Council officers, and I want to thank them for their continued engagement with my office.

That said, the challenges facing North East Fife are significant, and it’s vital that constituents remain proactive: updating their circumstances with the Council, engaging with staff, and raising concerns where needed.

Practical routes for support include:

Submitting contact requests via the Council’s online form or phoneline (03451 55 00 33).
Updating circumstances through the Fife Housing Register form.
Exploring mutual exchanges via the Housing Register.
Requesting repairs or reporting antisocial behaviour using the Council’s online forms or phoneline (03451 55 00 00).

Beyond Housing - The Benefits Transition

Of course, the housing crisis isn’t just about bricks and mortar. Many residents are also under huge pressure from changes to the UK benefits system.

Recently, my office attended a training session run by Shelter Scotland on Universal Credit: Managed Migration. This was an eye-opening and hard hitting experience.

To briefly explain:

The UK is transitioning from Legacy Benefits to Universal Credit.
People receiving Legacy Benefits will receive a Migration Notice, with a deadline to apply for Universal Credit.
If applications are made within that timeframe, individuals are entitled to Transitional Protection, ensuring that their Universal Credit matches their previous benefit entitlement.

While the process is intended to be smooth, the reality is complex, and those most at risk are often the most vulnerable in our communities. I will continue to raise concerns about how this transition is being managed and its impact on families in North East Fife.

Where to Get Support

If you are affected by the housing emergency or the transition to Universal Credit, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office at wendy.chamberlain.mp@parliament.uk. You can also find support from:

Shelter Scotland - Get housing help from Shelter Scotland - Shelter Scotland
Citizens Advice Scotland - Get advice | Citizens Advice Scotland
Fife Council: Universal Credit | Fife Council
Kingdom Housing Association - The benefit system is changing! - Kingdom Housing | Kingdom HA, Fife

I remain committed to supporting my constituents through both the housing emergency and wider challenges like the benefits transition. Together, we must ensure that everyone has access to safe housing and the support they need to thrive.