What help can i get for my farther-in-law. Who's Boiler has broke down?

My farther-in-law is 62 yrs old and retired. At the beginning of the week his boiler broke down. I have tried contacting the local council and the housing ociation which owns 75% of the house, but i just seem to be getting ped from pillar to post. Surely there must be something i can do. He doesn't have the money for a private plumber to come out.