Section: Yesterday's News
Five Years Ago
In August 2003 we were reporting:
- The Government launched its consultation programme on a construction industry proposal to prevent noise levels making life a misery for many people. The background to this is the new edition of Building Regulations Part E: Resistance to the Passage of Sound, which came into force on 1st July 2003. To improve compliance with sound insulation standards, it introduced pre-completion testing of a sample of separating walls and floors between new dwellings........
- It was announced that a further £19 million is to be made available to extend the funding period of over 1,000 street wardens already working in vulnerable communities. A further £2 million was also announced, to extend the number of neighbourhood management schemes that employ street wardens from 20 to 30.......
- A spot check by the Simon Community counted 203 people sleeping on the streets of Westminster, which is about twice the number estimated by the Council in its own recent count. The investigation by the Simon Community only found eight vacancies in the Borough's 1,517 bedspaces across 33 hostels.......
- A new report from Help the Aged and the Housing Associations Charitable Trust calls for an increase in the provision of sheltered accommodation for homeless older people. The report warns of the risks to older people who are put off by mixed-age hostels, or who are excluded because of alcohol abuse or mental health problems........
- The use of off-site manufactured housing was challenged by a statement from the Association of British Insurers. Last year, the Government' Challenge Fund allocated £300 million to housing associations to build an additional 1,400 homes using new off-site construction methods. The Association of British Insurers are now questioning the degree of consideration given to the resilience of dwellings constructed off-site and the type of problems that might develop.......
- Eleven associations started a campaign to boost the reputation and counter the stereotype of failing housing markets in the North-east. Raising the Profile aims to promote the successes of the region's social landlords to both the public and Government.......
- New research into housing markets in the North-west from the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies has revealed that 1.6 million homes in the region are at risk of low demand. Despite having more pathfinders than any other region, only 400,000 homes in the North-west are covered by them.......
- A survey by the Housing Corporation finds that housing associations have fewer female board members today than they did nine years ago. Women now make up 30% of boards, a drop of 3% on the last study in 1994. The study also finds that boards are also overwhelmingly white.......
One Year Ago
In August 2007 we were reporting:
- Sixteen innovative projects across the country were set to benefit from £800,000, as part of a package of grants to encourage innovation and good practice in housing. The grants have been awarded under the Housing Corporation's Innovation and Good Practice (IGP) programme.........
- The Housing Corporation launched its Investing in Independence - Housing for Vulnerable People Strategy. It highlights the need for developing and providing high quality homes and services that meet the needs of vulnerable people, as vital to ensuring they have independence and choice.......
- Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis opened a bidding process for £175 million for Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts to make the transition from providing campus accommodation to more appropriate independent arrangements for those with learning disabilities.......
- Housing Minister Yvette Cooper hailed an agreement with house builders and councils, which will make zero carbon housing a reality within 10 years - and urged other partners in the industry to follow suit and 'sign the green pledge' by emailing her Department........
- A new study from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation explores how the Government's Supporting People programme is affecting housing and support for people with learning disabilities in England.......
- The 'Dispute Resolution Toolkit' was launched at the TPAS Annual Conference. The Toolkit was funded by the Housing Corporation, through the Innovation into Good Practice programme, and supported by the Housing Ombudsman.
The toolkit was developed using three 'live' case studies, involving three housing associations from different areas of the country, who opened their doors to Compas@TPAS and allowed them access to ongoing disputes.......
- The Housing Corporation commissioned research into the support needs of small housing associations. The research will explore the most effective ways of helping small associations and will seek the views from these associations and their representative bodies.......
- Three tenant management organisations (TMOs) become the first in the country to be awarded the NFTMO Good Governance Kite Mark. Belle Isle TMO from Leeds, Friday Hill TMO from East London and Burrowes Street TMO from Walsall have gained the Kite Mark following a process of self evaluation, action planning and external assessment.......