Archives for December 2008
Council handyman services receive investment
Local authorities are set to receive more money to help expand their local handyman services, it has been reported.
In an announcement by communities minister Baroness Andrews, it was revealed that some £33 million is to be given to councils throughout England to develop such services over the next two years.
As such, the investment will help older people to hire trustworthy repair staff to come to their home and carry out minor repairs, such as clearing gutters and fixing door locks.
It was stated that the cost of using the scheme will depend on the local authority, although in the majority of cases it will be free or involve a minimal charge to ensure the service will be accessible to all.
Baroness Andrews said: "This investment in the handyman service will provide the help that older people might need to stay safe and independent at home."
Last month, Alistair Darling, chancellor of the Exchequer, reported that some £775 million is to be brought forward to invest in the maintenance and delivery of social housing.
Register to save your searches – My Housing Career
Affordable home plans put forward in Kettering
Plans have been submitted for the construction of a number of affordable homes in Kettering, it has been revealed.
Orbit Housing Association has put forward proposals which – if granted by Kettering council – could see properties be built on the site of the former Weavers Medical Centre on School Lane, the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph reports.
In its submission to the committee, the housing association claimed: "These high quality developments will provide much-needed affordable housing and will also contribute positively to the street scene and to the environment in general."
And in news that could interest those on the search for housing jobs, it was claimed that the proposed units will be made available on either a shared-ownership or affordable rent basis.
Councillors are set to make their decision on January 6th 2009.
Earlier this month, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, claimed it is crucial that housing associations receive assistance to help them continue building homes as the credit crisis rumbles on.
Register to save your searches – My Housing Career
CIH reveals new housing manifesto for north-east
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has published a new manifesto calling for a greater emphasis on the transformation of existing properties and greater support for the elderly and infirm.
Issues dealt with in the manifesto include the setting up of provisions to help one third of the population of the north-east which currently lives in a deprived area – the highest proportion of any region in the UK, news which could be of particular interest to those looking for housing jobs in the area.
Gavin Brown, chair of CIH North East, commented: "Our manifesto is a shared vision for the region and emphasises the opportunities for housing to contribute to the overall prosperity of the north-east."
Meanwhile, the Homes and Communities Agency recently announced that it is looking into the possibilities surrounding the conversion of existing low-cost homes into rent-to-buy properties.
In addition, the organisation noted that it is looking to establish an equity investment model to help support the development of major strategic sites in the UK.
Housing sector faces ”obstacles and opportunities”
There will be both challenges and opportunities for social landlords over the course of 2009.
Such is the assertion of Margaret Beckett, housing minister, where in an Inside Housing article she claims that next year will prove to be as "equally challenging" on the sector as the past 12 months have been.
However, she reported that "there are opportunities as well as obstacles ahead".
Indeed, she pointed out that by bringing forward spending on social housing, the construction of "much-needed" affordable homes should be kept on track, in news that could interest those seeking planning jobs.
Ms Beckett added that the launch of both the Homes and Communities Agency and the Tenant Services Authority – two organisations that are "committed to the highest standards of service, innovation and delivery" – should mean that there can be a sense of optimism for the sector.
In other news, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, recently claimed that housing associations” financial position is strong despite the difficulties being felt in the wider economic markets.
For the latest housing jobs – My Housing Career
Social housing ”in good shape”
Despite the impact of the continued economic downturn, the social housing sector is still in good shape.
Such is the claim of David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF), who reports that in spite of concerns about the financial standing of the industry, housing associations generally stand in good stead.
He claimed that those finances for those working for housing associations "remain[s] robust and strong – with its underlying income stream coming from social rent. This source of finance remains secure".
The NHF chief executive added that during the past 20 years, such organisations have managed to establish an extremely successful public-private partnership, while continued investment from partners and stakeholders should mean that "the sector will continue successfully to deliver new homes and strong communities".
In other news, housing minister Margaret Beckett recently reported that 163 councils across the country are to receive a total of £605 million to assist them in the construction of new homes.
Register to save your searches – My Housing Career
Zero carbon target ”could become reality”
New proposals that may affect those with planning or housing jobs have been released this week.
A new government consultation on the scheme to make the target of the creation of zero carbon homes by 2016 has been unveiled by housing minister Margaret Beckett.
Currently, more than a quarter of the country’’s carbon emissions are produced by housing and the government is aiming to ensure that this level falls in the coming years.
This week the government released a consultation on the proposals, with responses being sought from, among others, people with careers in housing.
Launching the consultation, the housing minister said: "With the consultation process we are confident we will be able to achieve our ambitions while giving the industry flexibility for how they get there."
Chief executive of the UK Green Building Association Paul King said that action on carbon emissions and climate change is becoming ever more urgent.
The scheme to make all new homes carbon neutral by 2016 comes as part of the government’’s wider targets to reduce the country’’s carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
For the latest housing jobs – My Housing Career
WHP receives IiP recognition
A Hampshire-based housing organisation has received industry recognition, it has been revealed.
The Wessex Housing Partnership (WHP) – which consists of the HVHS Group and the Kingfisher Housing Association – has been recognised as an Investor in People (IiP).
And in news that could be of interest to those that are seeking jobs in housing, Colin Alsop, the IiP assessor, reported that "clearly the organisation had gone through a significant complex change".
It was stated that the housing partnership appears to have "strong and effective systems" in place for engaging with staff and "identifying the good practice from different parts of the organisation".
Mr Alsop added that despite the changes that WHP has undergone, their staff "remain positive, dedicated and loyal".
Last month, Homes for Islington received a prize at the 2008 UK Housing Awards ceremony for its Every Child Matters project which encourages young people to take part in sport.
For the latest housing jobs – My Housing Career
HCA unveils details of shared-ownership scheme
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has announced that it is to invest millions of pounds into its HomeBuy Direct scheme in a bid to boost the housing market, it has been revealed.
In news that could be of interest to those on the search for planning jobs, housing minister Margaret Beckett has reported that the shared-ownership scheme could see over 18,000 new properties be built throughout England.
The initiative will see buyers purchase a home with the HCA and the developer of the house each taking a 15 per cent stake in the property.
Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the HCA, claimed that previous schemes, including the First Time Buyers Initiative, "indicate that there is still strong demand from purchasers for shared equity products".
Overall, the investment stands at more than £400 million.
Earlier this month, the HCA revealed it is currently looking at converting existing low-cost home ownership properties into rent-to-buy housing.
Register to save your searches – My Housing Career
Middlesex ALMO ”first to purchase property”
An arms length management organisation (ALMO) in Middlesex is set to become the first such body to purchase homes, it has been reported.
Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) is to takeover the Granville New Homes development from Brent council, which will see it own and manage the 110 flats that make up the set of homes.
However, the decision is currently subject to approval from the BHP board and the Secretary of State.
Helen Evans, managing director of the ALMO, claimed to be "very excited" about the prospect of purchasing the development.
"Over the next few weeks we will be working closely with Brent council to reach an agreement that is good for BHP, the council and most importantly for residents," she added.
The news could be of interest to those on the search for housing jobs.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Wigan could be set to receive its first council homes to be built for more than 20 years after Wigan and Leigh Housing was given the green light by the town’’s council to construct new properties.
For the latest housing jobs – My Housing Career
GHG supports back to work scheme
Social housing residents in Hackney are being offered help to find work through a scheme backed by housing providers, it has been reported.
The Ways into Work project is a partnership between social housing organisations including the Genesis Housing Group, recruitment and regeneration companies and Hackney Council, 24dash states.
Indeed, people searching for jobs in housing may be particularly encouraged to hear about such a scheme, which, according to the resource, has so far helped 250 unemployed people into work in the first six months it was set up.
Speaking to the news forum, councillor Guy Nicholson, Hackney council cabinet member for regeneration, says: "Ways into Work sees a new approach to partnership working to tackle unemployment. It is a unique way of reaching out to our residents in their homes and providing advice and support to get into work."
Meanwhile, it was previously reported that the Homes and Community Agency has revealed details of plans into whether or not converting existing low-cost home ownership properties into rent-to-buy housing would be a viable option.