Welfare Reform on the Web (January 2004): Social Housing - UK

BROWN URGED TO BOOST SPENDING

C. Newman

Financial Times, December 8th 2003, p. 1

Gordon Brown is being urged to dig into public funds to help solve Britain's housing problems. A study by the economist Kate Barker, commissioned by the Treasury and to be published alongside the pre-Budget report, makes the case for higher spending on social housing to address the imbalances in the supply of affordable accommodation. Her final recommendations, due in the spring, may raise the prospect of an extension of housing benefit to help those unable to afford soaring rents.

HOUSING AND ETHOPOLITICS: CONSTRUCTING IDENTITIES OF ACTIVE CONSUMPTION AND RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY

J. Flint

Economy and Society, vol.32, 2003, p611-629

Explores recent policy developments in UK social housing governance through an examination of policy documents, supported by illustrative examples of policy interventions. Tenants are conceptualised as active, informed and empowered consumers of the social housing "product". On the other hand, tenants' self-conduct is increasingly framed within their membership of local communities and the obligations upon them to demonstrate responsible behaviour arising from this membership

SUPPORTED AND SHELTERED HOUSING

Social Housing Law and Practice, Issue 7, October 2003, p.8-9

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced a review of the Supporting People Regime, which helps vulnerable people live independently in the community, after significantly higher levels of expenditure than had been anticipated.

(See also Social Care Law Today, Issue 15, October 2003, p.7)

SUPPORTING PEOPLE AND WOMEN'S REFUGES

L. Delahay

Housing, Care and Support, vol.6, Nov.2003, p.14-18

Supporting People provides a golden opportunity to put refuge services for women fleeing domestic violence on a firm financial footing. However, Supporting People funds only adult housing-related bed spaces. It does not cover the support needs of children using refuges. Outreach services, which provide a lifeline for women who do not use refuges are also absent from the funding strategy to tackle domestic violence.

TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT IT! PARTNERSHIP WORKING ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: GUIDANCE OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING FEDERATION, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, AND ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS

2003

Guidance is intended to promote closer co-operation between local authorities, registered social landlords and the police in cases of anti-social behaviour. Places joint working on individual cases in the context of the work of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships in order to encourage a strategic approach. Identifies the different roles of local authorities, registered social landlords, and the police in tackling anti-social behaviour, and acknowledges that, while working in partnership, agencies also have individual responsibilities in this area.