Archives for October 2009
HCA investment ”to create thousands of jobs”
Moves by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to invest in the construction of new and affordable homes over the next two years will create thousands of jobs, the organisation claims.
Those on the search for jobs in housing could be interested to hear the HCA state that around 1,300 apprenticeships and Local Labour Initiatives could be made by 2011 through its Local Authority New Build and Kickstart initiatives.
In addition, some 1,500 such jobs are predicted to be created via the National Affordable Housing Programme.
Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the HCA, states: "Homes and jobs should go hand-in-hand in creating thriving communities."
However, he claims that the agency’’s development partners also need to "take the lead" in creating employment opportunities.
Gill Taylor, chief executive of the HCA Academy, adds that apprenticeships and local labour initiatives will "maintain the sector’’s capacity to build for when the upturn comes".
Meanwhile, a report issued by Chartered Institute of Housing and ECOTEC earlier this month claimed that the regeneration of housing estates requires more than just building new homes and should also incorporate improving residents” skills and increasing access to jobs.
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FMB director calls for major increase in property construction
Despite recent rises in applications to build new homes the nation continues to face significant housing challenges, it has been suggested.
Although Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), commends figures from the National House-Building Council (NHBC) indicating a four per cent increase in applications as providing "some encouragement", there is still much to be done.
Indeed, he states that as there will be five million Britons on social housing waiting lists next year the NHBC findings "cannot be seen to be the beginning of the end for the housing crisis".
The FMB director adds that although the government’’s own housing adviser claims that some 237,000 homes need to be built each year between now and 2031, completions for 2009 are likely to be less than 100,000.
Those with in jobs could be interested in his assertions that building rates need to increase beyond the current pace of demand in order "to tackle the accumulated backlog of supply built up over decades of under production".
Such comments follow proposals by the Homes and Communities Agency that it will look to build 27,500 homes to be made available on a social rent basis in 2009-10, with a further 35,825 to be constructed the following year.
Housing associations praised at London event
The work of those with jobs in housing has been recognised at a London awards ceremony.
Run by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Inside Housing, the Sustainable Housing Awards has seen a number of individuals – in addition to housing associations and other organisations – praised for their work in providing sustainable homes.
Among these was the Gentoo Group, which was named Social Housing Provider of the Year with regards to its work in corporate sustainability.
Meanwhile, Radian won the Innovative Approach to Green Homes Award, while Richard Baines of the Black Country Housing Group received the Green Social Housing Champion of the Year prize.
The award for Sustainable Smaller Social Housing Project of the Year – a category for new-build developments consisting of less than 25 homes – went to Albyn Houiuing Society, McLeod Building and John Gilbert Architects for their work on Creagan Gorm Cottages in Glenmore.
South Shropshire Housing Association and the Hyde Group were among the other groups to have received prizes.
Earlier this month, the London Borough of Newham was praised by the Audit Commission for its efforts in reducing the number of homeless people living in temporary accommodation.
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NHF launches housing manifesto
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has unveiled its election manifesto for housing.
Launched at the House of Parliament, around 30 MPs attended the event which set out the policies that the organisation believes the next government should follow in dealing with the nation’’s housing crisis.
In its manifesto – entitled The Tools for Success – the NHF focuses on the need to make properties more energy-efficient.
Furthermore, it was suggested that the system of allocating homes needs to be reformed and access to homeownership must be improved, those with jobs in housing could be interested to hear.
Going forward, the federation urged housing associations to get in touch with their local political candidates, whether they are MPs sitting in parliament or opposition, to canvass their support for the manifesto.
Earlier this month, the federation praised proposals by the Conservatives to allow local authorities to keep 100 per cent of council tax receipts to reinvest in building affordable homes, money which would be topped up a further 25 per cent from central government.
NHF launches housing manifesto
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has unveiled its election manifesto for housing.
Launched at the House of Parliament, around 30 MPs attended the event which set out the policies that the organisation believes the next government should follow in dealing with the nation’’s housing crisis.
In its manifesto – entitled The Tools for Success – the NHF focuses on the need to make properties more energy-efficient.
Furthermore, it was suggested that the system of allocating homes needs to be reformed and access to homeownership must be improved, those with jobs in housing could be interested to hear.
Going forward, the federation urged housing associations to get in touch with their local political candidates, whether they are MPs sitting in parliament or opposition, to canvass their support for the manifesto.
Earlier this month, the federation praised proposals by the Conservatives to allow local authorities to keep 100 per cent of council tax receipts to reinvest in building affordable homes, money which would be topped up a further 25 per cent from central government.
Newham praised for tackling homelessness
The work of a London-based local authority has resulted in a drop in the number of homeless people living in temporary accommodation, it has been reported.
In an inspection of the London Borough of Newham, the Audit Commission points out that households in temporary homes has fallen by some 29 per cent over the past three years, those with jobs in housing could be interested to hear.
Furthermore, the local authority was praised for taking steps to bring vacant private homes back into use.
Ann Bennett, lead housing inspector for the Audit Commission, highlighted the "effective work" of the council as attributing to this fall.
Going forward, she claims that the council has plans in place to help deliver further improvements.
Earlier this month, the commission praised London-based Paddington Churches Housing Association for its work in providing a readily accessible service to residents and taking a "strong" approach towards supporting vulnerable people.
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Newham praised for tackling homelessness
The work of a London-based local authority has resulted in a drop in the number of homeless people living in temporary accommodation, it has been reported.
In an inspection of the London Borough of Newham, the Audit Commission points out that households in temporary homes has fallen by some 29 per cent over the past three years, those with jobs in housing could be interested to hear.
Furthermore, the local authority was praised for taking steps to bring vacant private homes back into use.
Ann Bennett, lead housing inspector for the Audit Commission, highlighted the "effective work" of the council as attributing to this fall.
Going forward, she claims that the council has plans in place to help deliver further improvements.
Earlier this month, the commission praised London-based Paddington Churches Housing Association for its work in providing a readily accessible service to residents and taking a "strong" approach towards supporting vulnerable people.
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New housing ‘’should form one part of wider community regeneration”
Reviving large housing estates involves more than just bricks and mortar, a new report claims.
In the Transforming Estates study by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and ECOTEC released yesterday (October 20th), it was claimed that the regeneration of communities can take decades.
And although it was claimed that physically improving homes and the overall layout of an estate is important, it is crucial that the reasons behind why a community has declined are tackled.
Those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear the report’’s calls that when homes are being improved steps also need to be taken to increase access to jobs, improve the community’’s health and boost residents” skills.
"Improving housing is at the heart of successful estate regeneration programmes, but new homes must go hand in hand with coordinated efforts over the long term to improve educational attainment, local skills and access to training and employment," Sarah Webb, chief executive of the CIH, states.
Earlier this month, shadow housing minister Grant Shapps unveiled the Conservatives” proposals to abolish specific building targets in favour of constructing homes based on local needs.
New housing ‘’should form one part of wider community regeneration”
Reviving large housing estates involves more than just bricks and mortar, a new report claims.
In the Transforming Estates study by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and ECOTEC released yesterday (October 20th), it was claimed that the regeneration of communities can take decades.
And although it was claimed that physically improving homes and the overall layout of an estate is important, it is crucial that the reasons behind why a community has declined are tackled.
Those with jobs in housing may be interested to hear the report’’s calls that when homes are being improved steps also need to be taken to increase access to jobs, improve the community’’s health and boost residents” skills.
"Improving housing is at the heart of successful estate regeneration programmes, but new homes must go hand in hand with coordinated efforts over the long term to improve educational attainment, local skills and access to training and employment," Sarah Webb, chief executive of the CIH, states.
Earlier this month, shadow housing minister Grant Shapps unveiled the Conservatives” proposals to abolish specific building targets in favour of constructing homes based on local needs.
West Midlands ”providing help with housing”
The West Midlands is taking particular action in attempting to meet difficulties experienced in the housing markets, it has been revealed.
Ian Austin, parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Department of Communities and Local Government, points out that the region was the first to produce a Housing Action Plan depicting how some £700 million will be invested in housing over the next two years.
Mr Austin, who is also MP for Dudley North, states such investment will not only help to provide new homes but also save jobs in the construction industry, those with jobs in housing could be interested to hear.
"In previous recessions no help was provided whilst the housing market ground to a halt, now we”re showing families we”re on their side by providing the new homes they need," he adds.
Such comments come as it was revealed the region is the largest recipient of the government’’s Kickstart programme to restart work on stalled construction sites.
At present, 2,400 properties have been approved, with 1,000 of these located in the West Midlands.
Under the first phase of the Kickstart initiative, it was revealed that £109 million is to be invested into homes in the region.
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