Welfare Reform on the Web (November 2001): Social Housing - UK

ALL TOGETHER NOW

M. Gibbs

Roof, Sept./Oct. 2001, p.33

From November 2001 Scottish Homes will become a "new executive agency" answerable to the Scottish Parliament and responsible for the regulation and inspection of all social housing.

CHOICE: PREMATURE CELEBRATIONS

M. Waters

Roof, Sept./Oct. 2001, p.34-35

Choice in social housing is about enabling people to have a greater say in the housing they rent, which will hopefully lead to the housing being more positively viewed. However it will not of itself deliver more social rented homes or regenerate areas.

HOMES PACKAGE FOR KEY WORKERS

M. Kite, R. Ford and D. Charter

Times, Sept. 7th 2001, p.10

Reports that £230m to be invested in the Starter Homes Initiative will be divided between 95 schemes providing assistance to 8,000 key public service workers through shared ownership or interest-free equity loans.

(See also Guardian, Sept. 7th 2001, p.4; Financial Times, Sept. 7th 2001, p.3; Daily Telegraph, Sept. 7th 2001, p.4).

HOUSING MANAGEMENT IN THREE METROPLITAN LOCAL AUTHORITIES: THE IMPACT OF CCT AND IMPLICATIONS FOR BEST VALUE

A. Harries and P. Vincent-Jones

Local Government Studies, vol.27, 2001, p 69-92

Article evaluates the impact of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) for housing management services in three local authorities, examining the extent of any organisational changes and improvements in effectiveness of service provision under the compulsory regime. Despite similarities in respect of tendering procedures, the formal appearance of contractual relationships and the choice of in-house rather than private providers, there were significant differences in the responses to CCT that can only be explained by reference to cultural, political and organisational factors in the local authority environments. Concludes that such differences were inevitable in spite of the detailed prescriptions and tight constraints of CCT.

JUST ANOTHER STATISTIC?

M. Delargy

Roof, Sept./Oct. 2001, p 18-21

Investigations suggest that increased use of mandatory grounds for eviction by housing associations and introductory tenancies by local authorities could be behind a sharp rise in possession orders obtained by social landlords. Mandatory grounds for eviction are increasingly being used in cases of rent arrears to avoid district judges being able to grant stays of eviction. Local authority tenants with introductory rather than secure tenancies are also facing possession proceedings for rent arrears.

MODELS OF VERY SHELTERED HOUSING: RETHINKING HOUSING FOR OLDER PEOPLE

N. King

Housing, Care and Support, vol.4, Aug. 2001, p 22-25

Article offers a definition and typology of extra care housing schemes for older people. Features which characterise extra care housing include: 1) self-contained flats or bungalows; 2) catering facilities with one or more meals available each day; 3) provision of a 24-hour scheme manager and care staff; 4) provision of an appropriate package of care in people's own homes; and 5) provision of extensive communal facilities.

SAME OLD QUESTION

J. Mitchell

Roof, Sept./Oct. 2001, p 36-37

Scotland's falling share of UK public funds and new spending pledges on education and the elderly mean that housing is being starved of investment. Argues that the Barnett formula should be scrapped and the Scottish Parliament allowed to raise its own funds through taxation.

SHELTERED HOUSING: MEETING CHANGING EXPECTATIONS

I. Parry and R. Smith

Registered Homes and Services, vol.6 2001, p 58-59

Describes the work of The Emerging Role of Sheltered Housing (EROSH), the national consortium which is committed to challenge the ignorance and misunderstanding surrounding sheltered housing which is evident among both professionals and the public.