In January 2001 we were reporting:
Plans by the Conservatives to save massive amounts of Housing Benefit by providing incentives for people to move to smaller accommodation with lower rents were criticised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). The CIH believes that such a scheme may actually lead to higher rather than lower costs. In areas of high demand for rented housing, where all available property is occupied, any resulting vacancies will simply be filled by a new family. Savings would only be made if that new family were ineligible for Benefit...
The Housing Corporation announced plans to introduce a new Regulatory Code to replace Performance Standards for RSLs. The aim was to streamline the then current system, which had some 62 detailed requirements, and move to a holistic approach that focuses on the key outcomes achieved by each RSL and how they manage their overall resources and risks...
A new report was published by homelessness organisation St Mungo's, which claimed that older people sleeping rough were not getting the help they needed because fewer resources were given to them than to young homeless people. The report found almost four times as many people aged 50 and over as there are teenagers sleeping on the street, with many fewer hostels specifically for older homeless people. This is despite the known fact that hostels reserved solely for the over-50s are often the most effective way of helping older rough sleepers, as many will not use projects which are for people of all ages because such hostels are often too noisy or crowded...
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive unveiled its proposals for the introduction of a voluntary licensing scheme for landlords of houses in multiple occupation. The proposals were being put out for consultation and are aimed at encouraging landlords to sign up to a licensing scheme that will promote better standards for people living in their accommodation...
Social Security Minister, Angela Eagle, announced that an extra £25 million pounds was being made available from April 2001 to assist local authorities in housing homeless households. The money will help those local authorities under growing pressure, in part due to the increase in homeless households who are asylum seekers given leave to remain in the UK or former-asylum seekers. The money is to be put towards meeting the higher level of Housing Benefit paid out by local authorities...
In January 2005 we were reporting:
Accent Group announced the launch of a new concept for developing affordable and flexible housing. Unveiled at the recent ODPM Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit, the Accent Home is specifically designed to be a flexible, low cost home. Based on a narrow fronted three-storey townhouse, the Accent Home can be detached, semi-detached, or in a terrace format. Each floor can be used as a single large family home or divided into a mix of single or two-storey flats...
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced the details of the Government's five-year Homes for All programme, which includes measures to extend opportunities for home ownership. The programme includes helping 80,000 people into home ownership by 2010, specifically with a new First Time Buyer's Initiative using publicly-owned land for new homes...
The Government launched a three-month programme of consultation on giving park home residents more say in how their sites are run and providing councils with extra powers to deal with breaches of licenses. There about 250,000 people living in residential mobile homes on more than 1700 sites, varying in size and quality, in England and Wales. Some park homes resemble bungalows whilst others are closer to traditional caravans...
Metropolitan Housing Trust developed a Rewards for Residents scheme with the motto who cares wins, to thank its tenants in the Midlands who pay their rent on time and comply with the terms of their tenancy. The initiative was created with the Trust's Regional Residents Panel, who were keen that the scheme acknowledges the majority of tenants who are good neighbours, keep their gardens clean and tidy, pay their rent on time and let contractors in to carry out their annual gas service...
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced changes to its Housing Planning Policy (PPG3) that will remove barriers to delivering desperately needed affordable homes in rural areas. The Government is also consulting on further changes to PPG3, aimed at ensuring local planning authorities and developers work together to deliver the appropriate mix of housing for their community...
Toronto Mayor David Miller issued a plan to ban people from sleeping in Nathan Phillips Square and other public spaces. However, he stressed that such actions would only be taken as a last resort. The plan also calls for increased services and housing options for street people, in the hope that most will leave the street voluntarily...