Archives for February 2009
Stock management guidance for housing associations
New guidance for those with jobs in housing has been issued by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA).
In its publication – entitled Location, location, location – the TSA advises housing associations that in taking steps to streamline the ways in which their property portfolio is managed, they can offer more effective services to their tenants.
Peter Marsh, the association’’s chief executive, states that the publication comes as "we recognise that stock rationalisation is not easy to achieve, but needs to be tackled to ensure that residents receive the best quality of service possible".
He adds that those living in homes provided by associations with a small number of properties spread across a number of areas are likely to "be paying more for a less responsive service".
The advice offered in the guide is aimed at helping housing associations to break down the barriers to rationalisation, in areas including legal arrangements and paying VAT on management fees.
Earlier this week, the TSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Homes and Communities Agency, which set out an agreement on how the two bodies will work together to ensure the provision of affordable homes.
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Housing bodies sign Memorandum of Understanding
The two recently-created national housing bodies have announced their intentions to work more closely on delivering affordable homes in sustainable communities.
In a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the organisations have agreed to further strengthen their partnership working, with the MoU also setting out how they will exchange information and work on matters of common interest, those with housing jobs may be interested to hear.
"We have put particular emphasis on responding to the challenges facing some individual housing associations as a result of the credit crunch and housing market downturn," states Anthony Mayer, chair of the TSA.
He adds that the organisation is to focus on establishing sustainable communities "with sufficient good-quality and well-managed affordable housing".
Robert Napier, chairman of the HCA, adds the MoU is a "tangible demonstration" of the organisations” shared goals and commitment towards working together.
Earlier this month, a TSA study suggested that despite the financial downturn housing associations continue to have good access to funds needed to build affordable homes.
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Affordable home plans put forward in Edinburgh
Plans have been put forward to construct a number of affordable homes in Edinburgh.
In news that could interest those with jobs in housing, Dunedin Canmore Housing Association has proposed that the St Hilda’’s Scottish Episcopal Church on Oxgangs Avenue be demolished and replaced with 22 flats.
Available for rent on an affordable basis, the flats would consist of either one or two bedrooms, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.
Jason Rust, Conservative councillor for Colinton and Fairmilehead, claims that although some concerns have been raised about the intended height of the flats, "in principle, there is a feeling of support towards the application".
"The idea of having more affordable housing in the area and increasing the supply of housing in the area will be welcomed," he adds.
Meanwhile, Heather Levy, chair of Firrhill Community Council, points out that there is "a need for social housing in the area".
Last October, the Scottish government announced a number of measures, including planning authorities producing development guidelines every five years, which are aimed at making the planning system a simpler and quicker process.
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TSA: Housing associations in strong position
Despite the problems being created by the continued effects of the economic downturn, new research indicates that housing associations should remain in an advantageous position.
A study carried out by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) reports that those with jobs in housing continue to have strong access to the funds required to carry on with the construction of affordable homes.
Indeed, funding totalling £14.6 billion, which will be used over the next 12 months, is already in place, with £5 billion in credit also available.
Figures from the authority also show that a total of 3,868 social homes were sold over the past three months, generating £272 million.
"Building homes through housing associations remains one of the strongest – if not the strongest – public private partnerships in the UK construction market," states Peter Marsh, chief executive of the TSA, adding that demand for affordable properties continues to be high.
Those with jobs in housing may also be interested to hear recent calls by the recently-created 2020 Group for the government build 100,000 homes available for social rent during the next two years.
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Calls made for 100,000 social homes to be built
A recently formed housing group has called on the government to build thousands of affordable homes.
In news that might interest those looking for jobs in housing, the 2020 Group – which consists of Shelter, the National Housing Federation, the Trades Union Congress and the Local Government Association – is urging an investment of £6.3 million to – among other things – ensure the construction of 100,000 social rented homes.
Built over the next two years, such properties would help ensure the building industry manages through the economic crisis.
Chaired by former housing adviser Kate Barker, the group states such a move could help to increase labour market mobility as the current lack of affordable and social housing makes it more difficult for people to move to take up new jobs.
"Social housing waiting lists are rising. This package meets a real and urgent need," states Ms Barker.
Meanwhile, Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter, states that investing in affordable properties "can not only help the thousands of people living in poor housing, it can also give a real and much needed financial injection to the economy".
In other news, the Scottish government recently announced it is to increase standard housing association grant assumption – a move which allows housing associations more money with which to build new homes.
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Pay rise expectations ‘’still in place despite credit crunch cuts”
Housing associations are still looking to offer pay rises to their workers as the financial crisis rumbles on.
In an email survey carried out by accountancy firm Smith & Williamson, the average predicted pay rise for those with jobs in housing stands at 2.6 per cent, with the median expected increase at 2.5 per cent.
Of the 90 housing associations which replied to the study responses from pay rises ranged from not offering a pay increase at all to an expected increase of 5.5 per cent.
However, it appears the economic downturn is set to affect those Britons with housing jobs, as the typical predicted pay increase had stood at 3.8 per cent in November 2008.
Rachel Stone, partner at Smith & Williamson, pointed out that although the firm’’s housing association executive reward 2008-09 survey had invited housing associations to give their views on their pay review processes for 2009, since the data was collected before the economic downturn took place, it was felt necessary to ask questions about pay again as "their pay expectations for 2009 were likely to have been reviewed and their plans re-shaped".
A previous study by the firm showed that just over a fifth of housing associations questioned have a bonus scheme applicable to all members of their staff.
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Service expansion for Shelter
Shelter has announced it is to expand its range of specialist services on offer in Hertfordshire.
Those looking for jobs in housing may be interested to hear that the charity is increasing the range of guidance it offers to encompass advice on benefits, debt, community and health issues, in addition to support with housing, as people across the county prepare to face difficulties in the current economic climate.
David Miller, Shelter Hertfordshire’’s service manager, states: "At Shelter we know many people with housing problems often also need help with other issues and would prefer to be advised by one service."
He adds that in providing a range of specialist guidance under a single roof, Britons should find that the process of getting help with housing is much simpler.
Earlier this month, the charity launched a new campaign calling on the government to do more to provide decent, affordable homes, as over 1.9 million UK households are on council housing waiting lists, while 4,000 in London are under serious risk of being repossessed.
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Housing associations ”play big part in reducing carbon footprint”
It is crucial that those with jobs in housing continue to help their tenants reduce their carbon footprint.
Peter Marsh, chief executive of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), points out that although some housing associations are "already leading the way" by offering energy-saving and low-carbon home improvements to social housing residents, more still needs be done.
"Housing associations have a very important role to play in contributing to the government’’s target to reduce household carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050," he claims, adding that the TSA is looking forward to working alongside landlords to ensure there continues to be investment in energy in the long term.
Mr Marsh’’s comments come as the government recently unveiled its Heat and Energy Savings strategy which looks to improve the eco-friendliness of every home in the country.
The news comes after the Welsh Assembly government revealed last November that it is to spend £80 million on the construction of 400 eco-friendly properties.
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Church and housing associations ‘’should work together”
Housing associations should form links with the church in increasing the provision of affordable homes.
Such is the assertion of the Faith in Affordable Housing group, an offshoot of Christian homelessness charity Housing Justice, which has published a guide advising churches on how they can work alongside those with jobs in housing in making use of any excess land.
These moves were backed by Matthew Taylor, Liberal Democrat MP for Truro and St Austell, who claims that the church is ideally placed for helping to provide affordable homes, particularly in rural areas.
"There is nothing more appropriate for the church to get involved in than providing affordable housing for people," he tells Inside Housing, adding that the church is often a large landowner in hamlet and village communities.
Following a report he carried out last summer, Mr Taylor claimed that affording a home in rural areas was an expensive process, due to a combination of property price rises prior to the financial downturn and low salaries in such areas.
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Housing associations ”looking to work together”
Housing associations are set to work more closely with one another in an effort to save money.
Regulated by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), investment banking boutique TradeRisks is to launch a new scheme allowing those with jobs in housing to trade interest rate swaps.
Entitled TRL Exchange, the facility will allow housing associations not only to fix the variable rate of interest on the loans taken out to build and improve properties but can also reduce the need for them to deal with banks.
TradeRisks points out that the credit crunch has seen banks implement increasingly large margins for entering or unwinding long-term interest rate swaps attached to their borrowings, often at short notice.
Clare Miller, executive director of governance and viability at the TSA, tells Inside Housing that the concept "is entirely consistent with our view that the sector in these current, challenging times should be seeking to help itself".
Speaking last June, Peter Marsh – deputy chief executive of the now obsolete Housing Corporation – called on housing associations to ensure they have product diversification policies in place to help them manage through the financial downturn.
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