b'Were here to help Across the UK, household budgets are being squeezed by the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and an epidemic of loneliness and isolation is leaving many individuals feeling disconnected from their community. Our teams are doing what they can to ease the strain.Supported Housing teamAs part of our sustained effort to tackle loneliness and social isolation, we organised free celebratory events enabling local people to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in a fun way. Sue Williams took on the newly created role of Community Engagement Officer in July 2022.She has already used her knowledge, skills and powers of persuasion to secure more than 49,000 of funding from six organisations, many of which have also provided practical support. All monies raised have been applied to our community activities. The community appreciated Sues amazing efforts: all 180 tickets for the coronation cream Helen Cairns, tea and entertainment at Letchworth Garden Citys Broadway Hotel and Welwyn Garden Head of ResidentCitys Mill Green Golf Club were fully subsidised by the National Lottery Community Fund and Experience snapped up within a matter of days. We also contributed to a coronation party attended by 30 residents at our Greenfields scheme in Cuffley.Feedback from the trio of events confirmsthat everyone enjoyed a right royal celebration!Business Improvement teamWhen home energy prices started to rocket, we scoured the web for advice and sources of support to pass on to our residents. Within a few short weeks we had amassed a wealth of useful information, which we presented in the form of a Home Energy Hub on our website.The Hub incorporates home energy fast facts, expert energy-saving tips, links to organisations offering financial support, advice on how to take control of the household finances and a handy Mike Parsons,budget calculator tool. The site has already proved to be a valuable resource for residents. Resident Experience DirectorFinance teamLike all housing associations, we review our rents each year and update them at the start of April. Were usually allowed to raise them by the September Consumer Price Index plus 1%.But this year was very different because of high inflation. Applying the standard formula would have resulted in rents rising by an eyewatering 11.1%, so the Government capped the increase on ordinary rents at 7% for the 2023/24 financial year.We take pride in treating all our residents fairly and equally. The 7% government cap doesnt apply to sheltered properties or the rental element of our shared ownership homes, but we felt strongly that it would be wrong to apply a higher rate for our supported housing residents, so our Board Claudia Linden, decided to apply the 7% cap to all our properties, regardless of tenure. Finance Director The Boards decision took account of the RPGs request that rent is capped in response to the cost-of-living squeeze.Residents First|Page 2 Residents First|Page 3'