Section: Best Practices & Standards
Audit Commission Highs and Lows
Tower Hamlets Homes Tenants Getting a Good Service
The housing management services provided by Tower Hamlets Homes are 'good' with 'promising' prospects for improvement. This is the finding in an Audit Commission report following recent inspection.
The inspection team awarded the ALMO, which manages council housing for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets a good two-star rating.
Inspectors concluded that the service is easy to access with good quality information and comprehensive service standards.
They also found the approach to vulnerable residents and health and safety to be positive.
Also, the organisation carries out repairs and relets properties quickly, while performance in servicing gas appliances is excellent.
Strengths identified in the report include:
- There is strong customer focus in many areas.
- Capital and major works are based on reliable information about the housing stock.
- Aids and adaptations are carried out quickly.
- There is an effective estate inspection process.
Weaknesses listed include:
- There is a failure to charge leaseholders the full cost of the service provided.
- Resolution of cases of antisocial behaviour is slow.
- The high cost of all services in 2009/10.
Housing Organisations Dominate Sunday Times Best Places to Work List
Organisations associated with social housing have dominated the Sunday Times 100 best places to work for in the public and charity sector list. The list is based on the views of employees and interviews with employers.
Housing associations, arm's-length management organisations or homelessness charities account for nearly one third (31) of the positions on the list.
The following are the 31 organisations with their position on the list:
- 5 - Clyde Valley housing association
- 11 - Weaver Vale Housing Trust
- 14 - Wales and West HA
- 15 - Loreburn HA
- 17 - Llamau
- 21 - Forum Housing Association
- 22 - Trafford Housing Trust
- 23 - Muir Group Housing Association
- 25 - Julian Housing Support
- 26 - Dale & Valley Homes
- 27 - Norcare
- 29 - Stockport Homes
- 36 - Broadway Homelessness and Support
- 39 - Hillcrest Group
- 43 - Mayday Trust
- 50 - EastendHomes
- 53 - Cadwyn Housing Association
- 58 - North Star Housing Group
- 66 - Cunninghame Housing Association
- 67 - Salvation Army Housing Association
- 69 - Cross Keys Homes
- 70 - Johnnie Johnson Housing
- 76 - Broadland Housing Group
- 78 - Northwards Housing
- 80 - Parkway Green Housing Trust
- 88 - Horton Housing Association
- 89 - Hightown Praetorian & Churches Housing Association
- 91 - Advance Housing & Support
- 94 - Wirral Partnership Homes
- 95 - Ability Housing Association
- 97 - Impact Housing Association