In June 2001 we were reporting:
The new government agency that will replace Scottish Homes is to be given the job of ensuring that all of Scotland's 750,000 tenants in the social rented sector receive a high standard of service. Scottish Homes currently regulates Scotland's 250 registered social landlords. The Housing (Scotland) Bill - which has completed its passage through the Scottish Parliament and is expected to become law later this year - gives it the additional responsibility as a new Executive Agency of regulating local authorities' housing management functions and their homelessness and factoring duties...
Local authorities and RSLs are being urged to study new guidance on dealing with racial attacks and harassment. Tackling Racial Harassment: Code of Practice for Social Landlords is intended for both local authorities and housing associations. It has been published jointly by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), the Housing Corporation, and the National Assembly for Wales. The guide gives detailed advice on multi-agency working, prevention and publicity, encouraging better reporting of racist incidents, victim and witness support and action against perpetrators...
Tenants of High Weald HA were given the option of a cash allowance to stay with family or friends, a local hotel or a trip away - while works were carried out to leaking pipes in their homes. The Association reports that over 60% chose the trip away...
A new service for housing associations in the Lothians, Borders and Forth Valley areas that are keen to do more to help their local communities was launched. Making Connections is funded by Scottish Homes and run jointly by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). The service aims to provide information and advice to housing associations and voluntary organisations on playing a wider role in their communities...
Nick Raynsford moved to Minister for Local Government and the Regions. Mr Raynsford is also the Minister for London. He will be supported by Dr Alan Whitehead MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for local government, etc. Lord Falconer of Thoroton joined the Department as Minister for Housing and Planning, with responsibility for urban policy, regeneration, neighbourhood renewal and Lords' business. Sally Keeble MP became Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for housing, planning, urban policy, regeneration, neighbourhood renewal...
In June 2005 we were reporting:
For the first time more than half of local councils are meeting or beating the Department of Works & Pensions target of processing new Housing Benefit claims in 36 days. The quarterly figures show that the number of councils meeting the national standard of 36 days for processing new claims increased from 33% in 2003/04 to 50% in 2004/05 and to 59% in the fourth quarter of 2004/05...
Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation, unveiled plans for the introduction of a Beacon Association competition to actively promote and encourage cutting edge and best practice in the housing association sector. The Housing Corporation's Beacon Association Competition will be open to housing associations who can demonstrate outstanding performance in key areas of business. For the first year of the Beacon awards, the themes for the competition will be tackling homelessness and innovation in procurement...
Future affordable homes will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 26% compared to typical new-build houses and save occupiers £138 a year in utility bills. The Housing Corporation set this target with the launch of its 2006-08 investment programme that will support the development of an estimated 70,000 affordable homes. Meeting the Eco-Homes Very Good standard means achieving 60 Eco-points out of 100. The average pass of a typical new-build house under current 2002 Building Regulations is 36 Eco-points out of 100...
A Newham Council programme to bring homes up to the decent homes standard became the first time a consortium made up of only private organisations has been awarded a refurbishment PFI contract. The London City East Partnership was awarded £60 million in PFI credits by the Government to manage and bring 1,000 homes in Canning Town up to the decent homes standard...
Birmingham Council were set to introduce its own shared-ownership scheme for tenants who are unable to afford to buy a home outright. The scheme will allow tenants to part-buy and part-rent their council home by purchasing a share of the property - from 25% up to a maximum share of 75%. Further shares can be brought gradually until a tenant owns their own home outright. Purchasers will be granted a lease and the Council will retain the freehold until 100% of the property is sold. The new lease will be subject to discounts similar to Right to Buy...
Edinburgh Council revealed that 60% of applicants for social housing in the City now apply online. More than 5,000 homes have been allocated using the system, which is called EH - Your Key to Choice. Launched two years, it provides a weekly publication of advertised properties in print and on the web. Registered applicants can bid on up to three homes at a time, making it easier for the Council to match suitable properties with those seeking them...
Refugee HA launched the first comprehensive research project undertaken to identify the positive contribution refugees make to the UK, as part of its Refugee Week initiatives. The study is unique because it focuses on local, individual and personal experiences of refugees and asylum seekers. It is thought to be the first time that a study asks asylum seekers and refugees to define what they consider their contribution to be and evaluate how it is limited...
Some 2,300 families will benefit from a real estate project to provide new housing for the people living in the Sakouila slum, the biggest in the Casablanca Sidi Bernoussi district. The real estate project, launched by HM King Mohammed VI, accompanied by his younger brother HRH Moulay Rachid, consists of equipping 1,150 land lots, including 150 four-storey lodging units, and revamping 3,400 others...