In March 2002, we were reporting:
The Government announced all neighbourhood management pathfinders, which are a key part of the Government's strategy for neighbourhood renewal, were moving forward to the next stage. This means £1.5 million of funding during the next three years for each neighbourhood manager to start meeting the needs of residents - as set out in delivery plans...
A total of 86 local authority bids were received for government funding during 2002-03 for the second round of a three year £17 million Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant programme. As a result, 57 projects will receive £8.1 million in further funding to help local authorities refurbish their gypsy sites...
A report was published by the new Homelessness Directorate, which outlines plans to tackle homelessness. The report includes the ambitious new commitment to end the use of B&B hotel accommodation for homeless families with children, except in an emergency...
A new study from the National Missing Persons Helpline highlights the dangers faced by young runaways, of which 40% sleep rough and 20% stay with a stranger while missing. The report also claims 30% of missing adults sleep rough...
A squatter won possession of a £200,000 flat owned by Lambeth LBC after he established squatter's rights in a case put before the House of Lords. Having lived in the second floor Lambeth flat for 13 years, the House of Lords backed an Appeal Court ruling that he was entitled to ownership of it...
Westminster CC instructed its solicitors to speed up the legal proceedings to recoup a £26.5 million surcharge from its former council leader, Dame Shirley Porter, and her former deputy, David Weeks. A ruling in the House of Lords last December found both of them guilty of improper gerrymandering...
A new website - www.innovationintoaction.org - funded by the DTLR through its tenant empowerment programme, was launched with the aim of exploring new ways of involving tenants in the management of their own homes. The Innovation into Action website provides information for tenants wishing to apply for grants, and links to other sites of interest...
In March 2006, we were reporting:
The Housing Corporation announced the twelve challengers short-listed as potential winners of its first Gold Awards. The Gold Awards, which celebrate excellence and innovation in social housing, attracted 72 entries in the two categories of "tacking homelessness" and "innovation in procurement"...
A week-long exhibition showcasing the ground-breaking home designs in the Design for Manufacture competition - the Government's challenge to build a good quality home for a construction cost of only £60,000 - is to be held at The Building Centre in London this summer. From 15-20 May 2006, members of the public and industry experts are invited to visit the exhibition, to view the winning Design for Manufacture entries and comment on what homes for the future should look like...
Brighton & Hove City Council became a partner in a new European Union project aimed at improving the quality of life of older people. The project is looking at housing for older people across the UK and Europe, including Brighton & Hove's New Larchwood development, to identify the design features that contribute most to an improved quality of life...
A new programme of action aimed at reducing vandalism and other forms of criminal damage in 80 local areas in England and Wales was launched by the Home Office. The scheme will see Crime Disorder and Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) working together to identify the extent and scale of the problem in local areas and drawing up comprehensive action plans to tackle them. After three months, the CDRPs and partners will come together to assess whether the crackdown has worked and what more needs to be done...
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, announced a further £482 million of investment to regenerate some of England's most run down estates. The funding into the Housing Market Renewal programme will continue the drive to turn around neighbourhoods suffering the blight of boarded houses, abandonment and anti-social behaviour...
A report from the Energy Saving Trust revealed that nearly seven out of ten Britons believe that homes boasting energy saving features are worth paying more for. Almost half (44%) of us are willing to pay an additional £5,000 - £10,000 for a green home built to high environmental standards...
The National Rent Deposit Forum (NRDF) confirmed it will close at the end of April 2006. The NRDF provides support to organisations helping tenants without savings to secure private rented sector accommodation. It has failed to secure ongoing funding from the Government and it has rejected suggestions of possible merger...
A new report from Crisis points at the need for homelessness agencies to increase efforts to gain victim support and engage the witness services in tackling a growing trend of violence against homeless people. Living in Fear: Violence and Victimisation in the Lives of Single Homeless People...
The latest household projections from the ODPM point to an increase of 4.8 million households in England for the period from 2003 to 2026. This is equivalent to an average annual growth of around 209,000. Over the period from 2003 to 2026, this represents about 23% growth...
Details of how the new Shared Equity Taskforce plans to extend the opportunities for young people to get a first step on the housing ladder were unveiled. Run jointly by the ODPM and the Treasury, the taskforce will look at the potential for government intervention in the shared equity market, particularly the scope to work in partnership with the private sector. The aim is to increase the number of people able to benefit from shared equity programmes and help the growing number of 'intermediate' households, building on the success in helping key workers into home ownership...
A new commission is to investigate how housing association tenants can have a greater say in how their landlord operates. Established by the National Housing Federation, the Tenant Involvement Commission will seek to challenge housing associations to become more responsive to tenants' aspirations, more accountable for their performance, and offer local residents a greater say in shaping their neighbourhood...