Conference Brief

A conference schedulled for October will discuss how to promote and progress race equality in housing services and what the reconvened agencies, and all housing providers can contribute to this agenda.

Car Sharing Helps ServiteThames Go Greener

ServiteThames announced it has teamed with the car sharing club Zipcar to forge a radical and environmentally friendly work-life travel plan for its expanded staff at its housing HQ.

Tenants Encouraged to Sit on Board of New Regulator

Housing Minister Caroline Flint announced that tenants will have the opportunity to reward good practice and take action against poor social landlords, as she launched the recruitment for the board of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority.

Fifteen Winners Share Half a Million

Getting back to nature on the farm, increased pedal power and catering for hundreds of people were just some of the winning ideas from homeless organisations that won part of a £500,000 prize to make their business ideas a reality.

Short Notice Inspections on the Horizon

Further details were available of the The Audit Commission's proposals to introduce short notice inspections for housing associations, following a successful pilot programme.

Credit Crunch Increases Demand for Social Housing

A new survey from the Chartered Institute of Housing finds that one in two housing professionals is reporting an increase in the demand for social housing as a result of the credit crunch.