Welfare Reform on the Web (October 2000): Social Housing - UK
IT's TIME TO TAKE STOCK
N. Carroll
Municipal Journal, July 21st-27th 2000, p. 22-23
Discusses two options for the future of council housing: large scale transfer to housing associations or management by "arms-length companies" set up by councils with an out-standing record in provision of social housing.
ONE STOP SHOPPING
D. Gilliver
Housing, July/Aug. 2000, p. 26-29
Article explores difference ways in which allocations policies for social housing in the UK can be reformed to give tenants more choice. These range from advertising available properties locally to allowing prospective tenants to choose from a national database.
PUTTING YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER: EVALUATING TENANT SATISFACTION WITH IMPROVEMENTS TO SOCIAL HOUSING
A. Foster
London: Treasury, Public Services Productivity Panel, 2000
Recommends that central government should consider developing a set of performance measures that assess the long term impact of estate renewal schemes on the quality of life of residents and establish mechanisms to further the spread of good practice in tenant consultation. Local housing providers should considers:
- early engagement of tenants in priority setting;
- monitoring and reviewing consultation exercises to assess their cost effectiveness;
- improving tenant liaison;
- introducing partnership agreements between tenants, contractors and landlord;
- dealing more rapidly with "snagging repairs" after capital works have been completed.
REPAIRING THE DAMAGE
S. Duckworth
Public Finance, Aug. 11th-24th 2000, p. 26-27
Argues that transfers of council housing from local authorities to registered social landlords such as housing associations will facilitate the clearance of the repairs backlog. Private finance will then become available to fund the works needed.