Section: Yesterday's News
Five Years Ago
In April 2003 we were reporting:
- Rhondda Cynon Taf Council became the first local authority to have its Housing Benefit service assessed by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate under a new system, where measurement is against seven performance standards........
- The Audit Commission's and the Housing Corporation's Inspection services merged to form a new extended Housing Inspectorate. As a consequence the Audit Commission became the single inspectorate for housing and in addition to its local authority inspection role, it will start inspecting housing associations.......
- A survey of hostels and supported housing projects, which was undertaken by the Resource Information Service for the Greater London Authority, identifies a shortage of move-on accommodation for people leaving homeless hostels. The survey found that 30% of residents were ready to move on but that there was no suitable accommodation available for them.......
- In a joint test case brought by Knowsley Housing Trust and Helena Housing, the Court of Appeal ruled that transfer housing associations can continue possession proceedings started by the transferring council before the transfer - even though the tenancies had changed from secure to assured.......
- A new report commissioned by the Lord Chancellor's Department concludes that social landlords are worse than banks or utility companies for resorting to Court action over debt.......
- The Government signalled its commitment to off-site home manufacture with its announcement that from 2004/05 twenty-five percent of homes funded by the Housing Corporation must come from that sector.......
- The Housing Corporation announced that it will be giving the go ahead to pay board members but it remained silent on the more difficult issue of remunerating tenant board members. The Corporation followed the guidance outlined in its consultation paper of last October and set a £20,000 pay limit on board chairs.......
- A test case brought Ridgehill Housing Association in Watford County Court ended the uncertainty on whether housing associations might have to repay millions of pounds to tenants because of illegalities in rent increase notifications. The Court found that the Association had enforced rent increases that failed to comply with existing legislation but it should not be obliged to repay its tenants and it could continue to pursue rent arrears........
One Year Ago
In April 2007 we were reporting:
- The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, announced a pilot of a new process involving ground-breaking technology to catch out benefit thieves and improve service for benefit customers. Voice Risk Analysis technology enables trained operators to identify suspect cases at the start of a claim, helping to keep fraud out of the benefit system.......
- Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly unveiled plans to reduce planning red tape to make it easier for people to put green technology - like solar panels - on their homes and play their part in tackling climate change. In a speech to the Green Alliance, she launched a consultation which recommends that people will no longer need to apply for planning permission to put microgeneration devices on their homes where it is clear there is little or no impact on neighbouring properties.......
- The Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation issued a simple and clear message to the Government - 'We can't house our children'. David Orr was speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing South West Conference, where he used his key note speech to address issues including building sustainable communities, the shortage of rural housing and the impact of social housing on the environment........
- The Housing Corporation announced that new discounts are being offered to help tenants get onto the housing ladder through the pilot Social HomeBuy scheme, which enables tenants of local authorities and housing associations to buy a share in their current home at a discount. From April 2008, under Social HomeBuy, tenants will be entitled to a discount on any further shares they buy - not just on the initial share.......
- Follow an assault on one of its staff, the RAC has banned call-outs to Sheffield Council's Manor Estate. The decision, taken for staff safety reasons, is understood to be under review. In the meantime, the RAC has put in place alternative arrangements through contractors.......
- Places for People, the largest housing association in England, is to pilot a controversial system that tracks people using satellite technology. The scheme will see electronic tagging of about five residents with learning difficulties, such as Down's syndrome. The objective is to give those residents the freedom to go out by themselves but to have the security of being able to let someone know where they are if they have difficulties........
- Tenants in the midlands are being given the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills, thanks to a partnership of social housing providers. Dealing with antisocial behaviour, managing diversity and building confidence are just three of the 11 workshops featured in the 2007/08 Learning Equals programme. The Learning Equals Partnership is a group of housing associations and local authorities that have pooled their resources to co-fund a joint programme of learning.......
