AROUND £300,000 has been made available to people across North Ayrshire struggling with rent arrears as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

At a council meeting last week, elected members rubber-stamped the new Coronavirus Tenant Grant Fund to provide assistance to private and social-rented tenants.

North Ayrshire Council say it will help those who are struggling with rent arrears and who could consequently be at risk of homelessness.

The money will be used to directly reduce or pay off rent arrears accumulated between March 23, 2020 and August 9, 2021.

According to a NAC statement, the council will help reduce the remaining arrears in their properties by matching the payments made by the tenant.

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “So many people, from all walks of life, have been directly impacted by the pandemic through no fault of their own.

“The threat of being left homeless is a desperately worrying situation and I know from my own casework that more people than before are facing that threat as a result of the pandemic.

“As a social landlord, North Ayrshire Council is committed to supporting all our tenants and will continue to do so.

“But nobody in the 21st century, regardless of housing tenure, should be without a roof over their head.

“North Ayrshire Council will strive to ensure that everyone in North Ayrshire is awarded this basic human right and we will seek to use the Coronavirus Tenant Grant Fund as an important tool to do that.”

The Scottish Government committed £10m to the fund, with the money distributed amongst Scotland’s local authorities.

The Fund now open. For further information about what is available, email tenantgrantfund@north-ayrshire.gov.uk and telephone 0300 999 4606.