Section: Registered Social Landlords

Increase in Housing Association Turnover

Housing association sector turnover is up 9.4% to £9.1 billion, according to the 2007 Global Accounts published at the end of March 2008.

The sector grew faster than in the previous year despite the challenges faced. The value of housing association properties was up 10% to £77.4 billion and surplus before tax up 8.4% to £270 million.

The 2007 Global Accounts of housing associations provides a financial overview, based on published accounts data, of the housing association sector and some of its key segments and covers the period April 2006 to end March 2007.

For the first time, the Global Accounts are based on associations with more than 1,000 homes. In the past the cut-off point for inclusion has been 250 homes.

Other highlights of the 2007 figures include:

Levels of voids and bad debts reported by associations remain at historic lows, suggesting continued strong demand for their properties, together with good performance on rent collection.
Turnover on activities other than social housing lettings totals £1.28 million and represents 14.0% of turnover
Year-end balances on cash and short-term investments increased by £261 million over 2006 levels.

RSL Update

Beware of bogus callers is the message a local housing association is sending out to residents.
To help ensure residents do not fall into the hands of bogus callers, Wirral Partnership Homes is handing out advice cards and warning tenants to be on their guard.
Staff are aware of incidents in the past where bogus callers have cold called homes across the Borough, claiming to be from Wirral Partnership Homes. To combat this, the Association is urging residents to follow the advice on the cards if they are approached by anyone making such a claim.
The cards provide sound advice and contact numbers for reporting suspicious callers.
Forbes Solicitors was appointed to Weaver Vale Housing Trust's panel of legal advisors. The Trust is the largest registered social landlord in Cheshire, providing 6,000 homes in the Vale Royal area.
Forbes acts for a number of registered social landlords and public sector housing departments. They have expertise in matters such as antisocial behaviour, tenancy management, gas servicing access and policy/procedure reviews.
Much has been said recently about the vital role housing associations play in tackling the problems that can sometimes affect their neighbourhoods. Guidance for associations on improving engagement with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships was published by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears in February. It outlined how associations can help to eradicate antisocial and criminal behaviour by sharing intelligence with others parties such as the Police.
Manchester & District Housing Association, a member of Harvest Housing Group, have recently formed such a partnership with Cheshire Constabulary, with the aim of offering protection and guidance to residents. The Information Sharing Protocol was signed by the two parties and is one of several agreements with external agencies set up over the past years by the Housing Group.
The National Housing Federation and Toynbee Hall released a new free guide - A Guide to Financial Capability for Social Housing Tenants.
This guide has been developed with contributions from the Housing Quality Network and is supported by the Financial Services Authority, as part of the National Strategy for Financial Capability.
It can be used for people who are new to the delivery of financial capability work or as a source of ideas, resources and prompts to those with more experience.
Suggested situations for using the Guide include:
- Life-skills courses for vulnerable tenants.
- Literacy and numeracy classes.
- A resource for your front-line staff.
Part of the Guide will support staff in acting as advocates or champions for financial inclusion and capability within their organisation.

Section: Registered Social Landlords

Increase in Housing Association Turnover

RSL Update

Housing Monthly Diary

Reporting on March 2008

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