Residents who were left shivering in freezing conditions after flammable cladding was stripped off their blocks have been told to "wear a hat and gloves" to stay warm.
Pendleton Together sent a "scandalous" letter to tenants at the nine council-owned blocks it manages in Greater Manchester with "top tips for keeping warm."
Advice included wearing "layers and maybe wear a hat and gloves if you still feel cold" and avoiding alcohol which "can give you a false feeling of warmth when you're actually cold."
Salford residents were also told to "have warming food and hot drinks" and "stay as active as you can" in the letter that was sent in December amid freezing temperatures, reports Manchester Evening News.
The housing association apologised to any resident who felt uncomfortable or patronised following the letter which came to light at a council scrutiny meeting on Monday.
Councillors had met to discuss a 4.1% rent increase for the blocks but the focus soon shifted to the letter with many expressing their outrage.
Conservative Darren Ward, one of two councillors who called in the decision to increase the rent, brought the letter to the committee's attention.
He said that it was "ridiculous" and unacceptable to increase the rent under the current circumstances.
Labour Councillor Tony Davies also criticised the letter and said that asking people to wear layers indoors was condescending.
"I just found it incredibly, incredibly condescending," he added.
Labour's Lewis Nelson said that he thought it was shameful that residents were being told to wear hats and gloves inside.
He added that it sounded like the Pendleton residents were being spoken to "as if they're 'thick'".
"I think it's quite clear that housing providers in Salford should not talk to their residents in that way," he added.
Councillor Kate Lewis said: "As a socialist, I find it really quite offensive. They're talking to people like they don't understand."
City Mayor Paul Dennett stood by increasing the rents in the Pendleton blocks by 4.1%.
But he did not hold back in criticising the letter sent to residents by Pendleton Together, which the council entered into an FPI contract with.
Mr Dennett said: "That letter that was referred to, with gloves and hats, is absolutely scandalous.
"I will act on that information as soon as I have seen a copy of that letter."
The Mayor added that the tips were "not acceptable" and pledged to speak to Pendleton Together about his concerns.
A spokesperson from Pendleton Together said: "Part of Pendleton Together’s commitment to accessibility is to ensure our communications can be accessed by residents with a wide range of needs.
"This communication was sent to nearly 2,000 people and was part of a wider newsletter which included a variety of styles.
“The seasonal guidance was closely based on advice widely available from well-known charities and government agencies including the British Heart Foundation, NHS and Age UK.
"We intended this guidance to help equip residents to stay safe and appeal to the widest range of people.
"We understand that on this occasion we have upset some of our residents and we apologise to any resident who felt uncomfortable or patronised reading this.
“Over the past two years, Pendleton Together has made big changes to their communications to make them more accessible and that process is reviewed monthly at a meeting that includes communications management, front line staff, residents and members of the community.
"The tone of this newsletter will be discussed at the next meeting alongside any feedback we received and any lessons learned will be implemented.”
The Mirror Online has contacted Pendleton Together for comment.
