Archives for June 2009
£1.5bn affordable housing investment made
The unveiling of a £1.5 billion investment is set to provide a significant boost to affordable housing in the country, it has been suggested.
Announced by Gordon Brown, the Building Britain’’s Future project will see those with housing jobs at councils and housing associations receive additional funding to build around 15,500 new affordable homes.
Of these, more than 11,000 will be made available on a social rental basis, with the rest being affordable housing.
Meanwhile, the Kickstart programme – which looks to get work on stalled housing projects back on track – is to be extended, delivering a further 13,000 properties.
Housing minister John Healey adds that construction on the homes is set to begin in the next few months.
"Alongside the significant increase in housing stock we will also work with councils to ensure the social housing system is responsive to local priorities and preferences," states Mr Healey, in comments that are likely to be of interest to those searching for jobs in housing.
Earlier this week, an eight-property development was launched in Newcastle, the first council-backed homes to be built in the city since 1987.
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Council housing development launched in Newcastle
An affordable housing development has been launched in Newcastle, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear.
Created following a partnership between Newcastle city council, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and arms length management organisation Your Homes Newcastle (YHN), the eight bungalows are the first council-backed homes to be built in the city since 1987.
"There is much demand for affordable homes in Newcastle but we are pleased these properties have been greatly received by the public," said Bill Shepherd, executive member for regeneration and housing for Newcastle city council, adding that the organisations will continue to work together in addressing the need of affordable housing in the area.
Designed specifically for older people and those with special needs, the Kenton Road properties were built as a direct result of a £3.6 million grant awarded by HCA to YHN to fund six new affordable housing schemes throughout the city.
Last week, it was revealed that a partnership between Queens Cross Housing Association and construction firm Morris & Spottiswood will see some 140 affordable homes be built in Glasgow.
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HCA forges new partnership
Details of a new working partnership have been unveiled by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), it has been revealed.
In a ten-year arrangement, the HCA and the Crown Estate have announced they will work together on making the best possible use of land to help accelerate the supply of homes.
There is set to be a particular focus on providing affordable housing in places that people want to work and live, especially in the midlands and the south.
Meanwhile, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear that the agreement will help deliver over 10,000 properties throughout Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Hertfordshire.
Furthermore, there is set to be an increase in the number of new homes in Dorset, Somerset, Lincolnshire and Wiltshire.
HCA chief executive Sir Bob Kerslake states: "Working together allows us to explore more options for innovation and new models for development which is why this agreement is so important."
One area, however, where there is a particular provision of housing is the east Midlands as the HCA revealed some 3,437 affordable properties were completed in the region during 2008-09, some 46 per cent above the original estimate.
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Affordable home project to start in Glasgow
Glasgow is set to receive more than 100 affordable homes, it has been revealed.
Those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear that Queens Cross Housing Association and construction firm Morris & Spottiswood have signed a multimillion pound agreement which will see 140 properties built in the Firhill region of the city.
Such a project will see 32 four-storey flats available for rent built on Murano Street, while a further 108 flats will be built in a six-storey block.
Of these properties, 42 will be available on a shared equity basis, with the other 66 up for rent.
With the development costing a total of £22.8 million, it is due to be complete by the summer of 2011.
Frank McCabe, chief executive of the Queens Cross Housing Association, claims that the development "will offer much needed high quality new homes for local residents whose houses are being demolished", adding it will also provide "a substantial number" of low cost new properties for first-time buyers.
Meanwhile, figures from Scotland’’s Chief Statistician recently revealed that some 6,221 properties available on a low-cost home ownership or rental basis were completed during 2008-09, the highest annual figure seen since 2001.
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East Midlands exceeds affordable homes targets
A significant number of affordable homes have been built in the east Midlands, it has been reported.
In news that is likely to be of interest to those on the search for jobs in housing in the region, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) reveals that a total of 3,437 affordable properties were completed in the area in 2008-09.
Such a figure, however, is some 1,092 – or 46 per cent – above the original estimate of 2,345 homes to be set up during this period of time.
Of these houses, 2,164 are rented properties, while 1,291 are available on a low cost home ownership basis.
Meanwhile, work on a further 2,231 rental and 726 low cost home ownership properties started during the 12-month period.
"This is a tremendous result in terms of delivery," states Margaret Allen, regional director for the HCA, commending the work of local authorities, house builders and registered social landlords.
Elsewhere in the east of the country, the HCA recently revealed it is to forge a new partnership with Norwich city council, which will see it invest £7.5 million into the city, where working alongside the local authority will build around 1,300 homes.
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Affordable housing shortage ”damaging village life”
A lack of affordable housing in rural areas could put an end to village life in Britain, it has been suggested.
Stating that around 100,000 new affordable homes need to be built in England to meet demand for housing in rural areas over the next decade, the National Housing Federation (NHF) highlights that as local residents are priced out of homes, closure rates for village shops and pubs are increasing.
"Affordable housing lies at the centre of the battle to save traditional village life," claims David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, those with jobs in housing could be interested to hear.
He adds that unless more affordable homes are built, local residents will "continue to be priced out of rural areas and the shops and pubs they support will vanish with them".
As such, all rural-based housing authorities were urged to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the need for affordable housing on a regular basis.
Last month, the NHF revealed 103,400 24 to 35-year-olds are set to leave rural parts of Britain to move to urban regions over the next three years, with such an exodus being driven by a chronic shortage of affordable housing.
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Housing associations win Audit Commission awards
A number of housing associations have received a prestigious prize from the Audit Commission, it has emerged.
In news that could interest those with jobs in housing, the organisation’’s latest Housing Excellence Awards has commended several of those organisations providing the maximum three-star rating.
Those deemed to be offering particularly excellent housing services include Evesham and Pershore Housing Association, Poole Housing Partnership, Homes for Islington and Gateshead Housing Company
Sandwell Homes, Northwards Housing and Berneslai Homes also received such awards, as Audit Commission chief executive Steve Bundred claims such organisations "are delivering excellent housing services to their tenants and residents".
Presented by housing minister John Healey, he claims the awards are "testament to the practical housing help these organisations offer day in day out, that makes such a difference to people’’s lives".
Those with jobs in housing may also be interested to hear recent claims by UNISON that the government should introduce a code of practice for housing association workers to ensure they receive decent wages and are motivated.
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HFI reaches Decent Homes milestone
Homes for Islington (HFI) has reached a milestone in its work on bringing its properties up to the Decent Homes Programme, it has emerged.
Those on the search for jobs in housing may be interested to hear that HFI has installed its 500th new kitchen on the Girdlestone estate as a part of the initiative.
As such, the housing association has now improved more than 18,500 properties which have seen 6,800 new bathrooms and 10,750 kitchens fitted.
With work on the Decent Homes Programme due to be completed by 2011, a further 8,900 properties are on track to be improved.
"The improvements being carried out are making a huge difference to the lives of residents who live here," Eddie Niles, board director for HFI, states.
Earlier this year, it was revealed HFI and Islington council have started work on four low-rise homes, the first council houses to be built in the area for some 25 years.
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HCA forges council partnership
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has unveiled details of a new partnership it is set to forge with Norwich city council, it has been revealed.
Such an agreement will see the agency invest some £7.5 million into the city, as it works alongside the local authority on a number of developments where around 1,300 homes built, those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear.
Any surplus investment from the sites will be ploughed back into other regeneration schemes across the city, as the partnership will look to increase the delivery of affordable homes and improve the quality of existing property.
"This initiative has the potential to deliver a wide range of benefits to the city and its people for decades to come," Terry Fuller, HCA regional director for the east of England, states.
Last week, it was revealed that the green light had been given for work to begin in Gloucestershire on what will be the most environmentally friendly large-scale housing project in Britain, which will include a number of properties delivered by the HCA.
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Housing associations ”must do more for LGBT residents”
Housing associations need to do more for those tenants who are gay, it has been suggested.
Bill Payne, chief executive of the Metropolitan Housing Association, calls on those with jobs in housing to become aware of the issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents.
Speaking to PinkNews.co.uk, he claims: "LGBT residents are in danger of abuse, hate crimes and bullying. So it is simply not enough to say ”all people should be treated the same”. It starts with awareness that there are issues."
Mr Payne goes on to suggest that young gay people face particularly challenging housing needs such as homelessness.
He adds that one in five LGBT people expect to be treated worse by housing providers than heterosexual residents, those with housing jobs may be interested to hear.
The Metropolitan executive adds that if housing associations are aware of the challenges LGBT residents face they can take steps to improve services for all of their tenants.
People searching for housing jobs may be interested to hear Sunderland-based housing association Gentoo was ranked 17th by equality charity Stonewall in the country’’s 100 best place workplaces for LGBT staff, with the Metropolitan Housing Partnership placed 43rd.
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