Posted 12.03.15
Housing can help tackle inequality and drive economic growth - but only with the right political will and leadership, according to the interim chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
Speaking at CIH Scotland's annual conference and exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow today, Gavin Smart said UK politicians are still some way short of meeting that test.
He said:
"Decent affordable housing is at the heart of what is needed to live a good, fulfilling and rewarding life - we make no apology for demanding it.
"Tackling our housing crisis is as much about political will and leadership as about the detail of policy. Our politicians are still some way short of meeting that test."
CIH's UK Housing Review 2015, published this week, revealed an extraordinary gap between homeownership rates for different groups of people. Across Great Britain, lone parents or single people under pension age are least likely to own a home, while more than 80% of couples with no dependent children or over pension age are homeowners.
Rising house prices mean that net housing wealth in the UK has grown by £1.22 trillion (58%) since 2003 - and more than a third of property-based wealth is held by households where the household reference person is 65 or older. Gavin Smart said:
"This is a trend that takes us further from, not closer to, our goal of a housing system that works for everyone. I'm not sure political parties have really got to grips with this yet.
"In the 2015 and 2016 elections there is a lot to play for. With the right policy environment, housing can make a major contribution to growth, to health, to life chances and to addressing poverty and inequality."
Posted 02.03.15
Tackling Tenancy Fraud Conference
23 March 2015: Central London
Capita Conferences
Local authorities now have enhanced powers of investigation and can compel certain private sector organisations to provide key information for social housing fraud investigation. Capita's 4th Tackling Tenancy Fraud Conference provides crucial advice on how to utilise these new powers.
Bringing together leading experts, this event is designed to help enhance ther ability to detect, prevent and recover losses from tenancy fraud.
As benefit fraud investigation transfers from local authorities to the Single Fraud Investigation Service (SFIS), social housing providers have been asked by Government to refocus their efforts on non-benefit fraud.
Tenancy fraud is now recognised as the second largest area of annual fraud loss in English local government valued at £845 million* and will continue to be an important focus for local authorities and housing associations.
With new forms of social housing fraud now emerging, including right to buy fraud, right to acquire and non-occupation of temporary accommodation fraud, now is the time to explore the latest developments and take away practical techniques and tools for investigation and prevention.
This key event aims to help ensure the successful development of social housing policies, free up housing stock and optimise revenue streams by rigorously and effectively tackling tenancy fraud.
Further details and booking arrangements.
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The Care Act 2014: Why RPs Need to Care
26 March 2015 (coffee and registration from 14.00): Central London
Croftons Solicitors, in collaboration with Cornerstone Barristers
The Care Act 2014 will be implemented on 1 April 2015 and will overhaul the UK care system. The Act emphasises the importance of housing for people's health and wellbeing.
Social landlords are now expressly listed as key partners that local authorities must co-operate with when planning a person's care and support packages, enshrining the impact of housing into a care context.
This free seminar will explain the legal framework which will affect social landlords and offer practical tips as to how the Act can be used by RPs and what challenges RPs may face.
Speakers will be Melanie Dirom of Croftons Solicitors and Andrew Lane and Dean Underwood of Cornerstone Barristers.
This seminar is aimed at housing directors, managers and staff in both general and supported housing.
To book a place on the seminar email chloe.morgan@croftons.co.uk
Posted 02.03.15