Welfare Reform on the Web (August 2002): Social Housing - UK

DESIGN FOR LIVING

D Blackman

Roof, July/Aug 2002, p.30-31

The government's urban white paper advised all big regeneration schemes to use masterplans. These involve setting out a vision for an area covering design, layout, housing, jobs and services. All masterplans should involve local communities in their development. Article discusses the implications of masterplans for social landlords.

DEVOLUTIONARY ZEAL

A Ferguson

Housing, June 2002, p.32-34

This article identifies the problems with Scotland's housing. It discusses the issues surrounding:

• stock transfer;
• the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001;
• the Housing Improvement Task Force and the Homelessness Task Force which are all making a real difference.

GLASGOW KISS GOODBYE

R Brown

Housing, May 2002, p.24-25

Article examines the issues surrounding the Glasgow stock transfer and what it means for current tenants. It looks at what types of improvements can be expected under the 30 year business plan.

IMPROVEMENT REQUIRED

A Wilén

Roof, July/Aug 2002, p.41

Article examines the growing gap between government's targets for refurbishing social housing and action at local authority and housing association level.

INCLUDE ME IN

R Newcombe

Housing, May 2002, p.38-39

This article discusses the number of people without a bank account and how many of these are social housing tenants. It looks at the issues and discusses the promotion of financial inclusion which is now the biggest challenge facing the social housing sector.

KEEPING IT IN THE COUNCIL

N Merrick

Public Finance, May 31st-June 6th 2002, p.22-23

Ipswich Borough Council separated its strategic planning role for housing from its responsibilities as a landlord ten years ago when it set up Ipswich Borough Homes (IBH). This body controls most of the £30m housing revenue account and is responsible for collecting rents and maintaining homes.

PIECING IT TOGETHER

S McKenzie

Housing, June 2002, p.20-22

Article looks at what, if anything, has changed for landlords and the housing sector since the Human Rights Act came into force.

PLEDGE TO IMPROVE COUNCIL HOMES 'IN JEOPARDY'

N Timmins

Financial Times, June 10th 2002, p.3

The government's promise to get council housing up to scratch by 2010 is in 'serious jeopardy', the Chartered Institute of Housing warned yesterday. In the wake of tenants in Birmingham voting "no" to the transfer of to 84,000 homes to housing trusts either the government will have to devise new incentives, or the Treasury will have to find an extra £2bn to refurbish the remaining council stock.

RENTING HOMES 1: STATUS AND SECURITY

Law Commission

London: TSO, 2002 (Consultation paper; no. 162)

Consultation paper proposes simplifying current legislation in England and Wales. Proposes two forms of tenancy:

• Type 1 will replace the secure tenancy and will act as a single tenancy for both housing association and council tenants.
• Type 2 will replace the assured shorthold used in the private sector.

Presents harsh proposals for dealing with anti-social tenants, but takes a lenient approach to eviction action over rent arrears. Under the proposals, there would be no fast-track route to eviction for housing associations in cases of non-payment of rents, as now.

TACKLING ANTI SOCIAL TENANTS

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

London: 2002

Consultation paper identifies the need for a three-pronged attack on anti-social behaviour by tenants consisting of enforcement and eviction, prevention and rehabilitation.

TIME TO ACT

P Gray

Housing, June 2002, p.36-38

Article looks at the current position of the Housing Bill for Northern Ireland which has been described as a collection of measures towards constitutional settlement rather than a measure which embodies a long-term vision for housing. It examines the issues raised in Northern Ireland such as: large scale voluntary transfer; the right to buy for housing associations; the regulation of the private rented sector; and private sector renewal.

TIME TO ACT ON ARREARS

P Davey

Roof, July/Aug 2002, p.9

Argues that social landlords could more effectively deal with rent arrears through debt counselling and help with benefits claims than through eviction.

TRAINING TOGETHER: THE LOGICAL ANSWER FOR JOINED UP PRACTICE

P Smith

Housing, Care and Support, vol. 5, May 2002, p.25-27

Summarises findings of the Training Together report commissioned by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Report found that the scope for joint staff training is extensive and that Supporting People provides a framework to enable its delivery at local level.

WANTED: HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT PEOPLE

S McKenzie

Housing, May 2002, p.34-36

Article looks at the issues surrounding social housing and discuss the many challenges faced by the sector in changing its image.

WHERE NOW FOR WALES?

S McKenzie

Housing, June 2002, p.28-30

This article examines how devolution has affected the Welsh housing sector, and discusses the different approaches that are being used to tackle issues such as homelessness and looks at the reorganisation that is taking place within the sector.