Info for tenants

19 November 2008

Tenant empowerment: turning fine words into best practice

Network briefing by Nigel Long explores tenant empowerment, including tenant-led areas of good practice

31 October 2008

Promoting inter-generational understanding through Community Philosophy

Communities can bring younger and older people together in ways that may be uncomfortable for both groups. Young people’s behaviour may be labelled 'nuisance', while older people's views may be labelled 'intolerant'. This Joseph Rowntree study summarises an independent evaluation of the 'Thinking Village project', which was designed to develop intergenerational understanding in a neighbourhood, using the principles of 'Community Philosophy'

27 October 2008

Communities in Control- Real power, real people - Redress review

The Empowerment White Paper 'Communities in Control: Real people, real power' announced the government's vision for empowering communities. As part of this it set out that there would be a review into the feasibility and practicality of introducing and extending the idea of redress for citizens where services do not meet expectations. The review will also take a wider look at how the customer can really be put at the heart of local service delivery

24 October 2008

Code of Service Delivery and Accountability

NHF draft Code which has been developed following consultations with tenants around the country, and responses to an online questionnaire. The Federation is now seeking further feedback from its members and their tenants on the content of the Code

Closing date 8 December 2008

16 October 2008

Blears invites ideas to improve local communities

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today called on councils to work closely with their residents to unearth new and innovative ideas to improve their local area and make places in which people want to live, work and raise a family

1 October 2008

New regulation and guidance to encourage and support tenant empowerment to come into effect

New regulation and guidance to encourage and support tenant empowerment has now come into effect as new Right to Manage regulations and changes to the Tenant Empowerment Programme are introduced

1 October 2008

Residents’ choice: Guidance on tenant management and other options supported through the Tenant Empowerment Programme

This handbook gives guidance to residents living in social housing who are considering taking control of housing and related services. It looks at how residents can get advice and consider their choices for having more influence over services in their neighbourhood

1 October 2008

Local choice, local control: Statutory guidance on tenant management for local authorities and local authority tenants

This guidance is given under the Housing (Right to Manage) Regulations 2008, which provides that all those who are exercising functions under the Legislation are required to take into account this guidance

22 September 2008

National Tenant Voice

Network briefing by Sheila Adamson looks at how proposals for a National Tenant Voice are developing

11 September 2008

The Cole Report: delivering cross-domain regulation for social housing

Professor Ian Cole was appointed to chair a panel of independent stakeholders tasked with producing recommendations to government on how to extend the scope of the Tenant Services Authority to include local authority social housing. This report presents the set of final recommendations

11 September 2008

Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

Network briefing by Charlie Hughes summarises the background to splitting up the Housing Corporation's functions of funding and regulation and reminds readers of the reasons and objectives behind this change

31 July 2008

Engaging and empowering women in poverty

Joseph Rowntree report which examines participatory research conducted with women in poverty living in Birmingham, Cardiff and London. The project aimed to build their political capacity so that they could take their collective knowledge and experience, present it as policy proposals to policy-makers and actively help to produce policy change

29 July 2008

New deal for communities: lessons learnt

Network briefing by Sheila Spencer summarises the key messages coming from the evaluations so far, and draws some conclusions which may be of help to housing authorities and other housing agencies in developing their approach to tackling deprivation

29 July 2008

Communities in control: real people, real power: Summary

This is a summary version of Communities in control: real people, real power which tells the story of power, influence and control and how people can use existing and new tools to access it

23 July 2008

Tenant Services Authority (TSA) gets ready for action

The new social housing regulator – the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) – is now ready for action with the news that Royal Assent has been granted on the Housing and Regeneration Bill in Parliament

21 July 2008

Empowerment in Action

Speech by The Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

17 July 2008

Emerging proposals for the National Tenant Voice

The government is taking a real lead in putting tenants at the heart of decision making about their homes and neighbourhoods

17 July 2008

Community Power Packs

Communities in control: real people, real power has now been launched. This White Paper is about passing power to communities and giving real control and influence to more people

17 July 2008

Community Power Pack: real people, real power

The Community Power Pack is a practical guide, which can help people play a more active role in their community and influence decisions that matter to them. It is easy to read and focused on fun and creative activities

15 July 2008

Short notice inspections

Network briefing and guidance by Ellis Blackmore explains what to do in detail and how to overcome typical obstacles picking out the relevant key points for Network members

11 July 2008

Rewarding awards?

Network briefing by Cathy Jackson provides a flavour of some of the key awards that are available

11 July 2008

Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities Statutory Guidance: Summary of Responses to Consultation

This document provides a summary of responses received as part of the consultation process for the draft statutory guidance Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities

11 July 2008

Communities in control: real people, real power - White Paper

Communities in control: real people, real power was launched on 9 July 2008. This White Paper is about passing power to communities and giving real control and influence to more people

9 July 2008

White Paper delivers power shift to local people

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has published a White Paper setting out proposals to deliver a fundamental shift in power, influence and responsibility into the hands of communities and citizens

3 July 2008

Minister confirms new deal for communities funding

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews has confirmed nearly £500m for neighbourhood partnerships in deprived communities across the country, to continue helping their work to cut crime levels, improve educational achievements and boost job opportunities

18 June 2008

National debate on tenant empowerment and tenant choice opened

Housing Corporation Deputy CEO calls for revolution in tenant engagement and involvement

27 May 2008

Community Gateway briefing

Case study briefing by Paul Roberts explores why this approach was taken, looks at their model, community empowerment and what the future holds for Preston’s community gateway model

16 May 2008

Three new rights to right local wrongs - new Community Empowerment Bill to harness petition power

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has outlined plans to give every citizen in England three new rights to have a greater say to trigger action on local issues they care about. These could range from directing more money from councils to tackle anti-social behaviour and graffiti, to taking over the running of local assets like community or leisure centres, or forcing a public debate on local issues they are concerned about

19 March 2008

New consultation to give people greater say over local spending

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has set out a new draft strategy for consultation to give people in every local authority area a greater say on how public money is spent by 2012, including exploring for the first time using 'community kitties' for projects to fight crime and tackle obesity

14 March 2008

A network for tenant organisations is launched in Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross

A regional network for registered tenant organisations (RTOs) is being formally established in Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross. In total, nine RTO regional networks are being established across Scotland to provide a formal structure between the tenants’ movement and the Scottish Government

6 March 2008

Putting communities in control - Blears

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced radical plans to unlock talent in local communities and give people a real say on improving local services and promoting active citizenship

29 February 2008

A network for tenant organisations is launched in West Strathclyde

A regional network for registered tenant organisations (RTOs) is being formally established in East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and North Ayrshire. In total, nine RTO regional networks are being established across Scotland to provide a formal structure between the tenants’ movement and the Scottish Government

26 February 2008

The Big Picture

Network briefing by Chloe Fletcher highlights the main policy changes over the past year and outlines what it will mean for housing providers in the coming few years

25 February 2008

Lifetime Homes, lifetime neighbourhoods: A national strategy for housing in an ageing society

The ageing of the population will be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century for housing. This strategy sets CLG’s response to this challenge and their plan to create Lifetime Homes in Lifetime Neighbourhoods

13 February 2008

New Deal for Communities is turning around England’s most deprived areas

The Government's £2bn New Deal for Communities programme is delivering real improvements to people's lives, raising satisfaction, and bridging the gap between some our most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of England, according to a new independent report

4 February 2008

Communicating important information to new local residents

This leaflet introduces the IDeA web based guidance for local authorities on how to produce an information pack for new migrants

1 February 2008

A network for tenant organisations is launched in North East Scotland and the Northern Isles

A regional network for registered tenant organisations (RTOs) is being formally established in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Moray, Orkney and Shetland

29 January 2008

Deadline approaches for communities to make the most of local assets

The Government's drive to empower people is entering into a new phase as the latest round of applications close. The deadline for the scheme, which will engage people and improve services by transferring local assets into community management and ownership, including disused schools, swimming pools, office blocks and community centres, closes on 15 February

23 January 2008

How to develop a local charter - A guide for local authorities

Local charters are an effective way to help communities, local authorities and other providers of public services, to work together. CLG guide provides advice and good practice to help plan a charter that meets local needs

23 January 2008

Community contracts to drive better services

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced plans for new 'community contracts' across England - giving communities the opportunity to agree deals and written guarantees with their council on a wide range of service standards from tackling drug dealing on estates, bin collection, clearing graffiti and street cleaning

22 January 2008

Kate Barker appointed to head Oftenant transition team

The Housing Corporation has welcomed the appointment of Kate Barker as Chair of the Transition Project Board for the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords (Oftenant)

17 January 2008

Oscar awards for boosting jobs

Councils who lead the way in boosting jobs and opportunities in their areas will be up for an 'Oscars' style award. The new award for 'raising prosperity' will go to top-performing areas at improving town centres, tackling unemployment, boosting skills and training and attracting investment.

17 January 2008

Ujima's tenants safeguarded following transfer to London and Quadrant

HC press release

28 December 2007

Petition power kicks off new year of community action

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today launched radical proposals to make people's voices heard on the key issues they care most about, such as tackling anti-social behaviour, helping older people or improving local parks

19 December 2007

Tenant satisfaction has increased

Overall tenant satisfaction has increased according to the latest key housing association performance indicator (PI) results for March 2007, released by the Housing Corporation

17 December 2007

The New Place Survey: Consultation

This document sets out proposals for a new survey to be carried out by local authorities. The survey will ask local people for their perceptions about the area in which they live. The results of the survey will provide data for 20 of the new National Indicators

17 December 2007

Public to set local priorities

Local people will have the opportunity to give their views on their priority concerns for their local councils and agencies to tackle, under new plans published by Local Government Minister John Healey

6 December 2007

More neighbourhoods to get a 'community kitty'

The number of areas where people are given a direct say in how council money is spent is to more than double, Hazel Blears has announced.The Communities Secretary said that residents in a further 12 areas of the country would get the chance to access their own 'community kitty' to spend on tackling the issues they think are most important in their own neighbourhood

16 November 2007

The Housing and Regeneration Bill

Impact assessment

16 November 2007

The Housing and Regeneration Bill

CLG

16 November 2007

New legislation for greener, more affordable housing

A new Bill has been published which will drive forward the Government’s pledge to build 3 million greener, more affordable new homes by 2020 to help first-time buyers and families. New measures in the Housing and Regeneration Bill include legislation to remove barriers to councils building their own social housing, stronger action where tenants are unhappy with the management of their estates, and new rules for councils to tackle anti-social tenants. The Bill will also establish a new watchdog for social tenants - Oftenant - and give this watchdog a duty to reduce red tape for good Housing Associations

5 November 2007

Social landlords urged to talk to tenants

Consultation is the key to genuine openness and accessibility by social landlords, according to a report published by Communities Scotland. The study, Open and Accessible? A thematic study into how social landlords share information about performance and governance, aims to provide a national picture of the level of information registered social landlords (RSLs) and local authorities provide to their tenants and other people who have an interest in their services

5 November 2007

All you ever wanted to know about surveys

Network briefing by John Wheeldon aims to update members on the options available and discusses the pros and cons of different approaches

26 October 2007

An action plan for community empowerment: building on success

CLG action plan designed to transform the relationship between public bodies and communities by giving more people an active role in the decisions that affect them

22 October 2007

'Empowerment action plan'

Setting out how the Government will deliver on its commitment to bring about greater devolution and empower communities published by Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears

18 October 2007

Learning to Change Neighbourhoods: Lessons from the Guide Neighbourhoods Programme - Evaluation Report

The report presents the key lessons learned from the Guide Neighbourhoods Programme and suggests ways of taking forward the principle of citizen-led learning in community empowerment and turning the lessons into actions

11 October 2007

National impact assessment report 2006-07

Housing Corporation

5 October 2007

Tenant deposits now safer

According to CLG, one in four tenants living in privately rented houses and flats now have their deposits safeguarded under the Government's tenancy deposit protection scheme

14 September 2007

Respect Standard for Housing Management

CLG Performance Improvement Toolkit for Landlords

14 September 2007

Advance notice of themes for the 2008-10 Innovation and Good Practice programme

The themes for the 2008-10 Innovation and Good Practice programme are by Housing Corporation today. Aimed to tackle diverse and complicated issues such as climate change and community cohesion, the IGP will fund new thinking in the following five areas; tackling worklessness, promoting community cohesion, tackling climate change in existing stock, efficiency in housing management and transforming estates

10 September 2007

Safeguarding tenants' rights

A two-pronged initiative to ensure private rented homes are kept in a decent state of repair by landlords has been announced. A new Repairing Standard, which extends existing legal requirements, will set the benchmark for what tenants can expect. For example, it will mean that, for the first time, all private rented properties will have to be fitted with smoke alarms and tenants who cannot agree with their landlord about whether or not the standard is being met will be able to take their case to the Private Rented Housing Panel (PRHP). This new organisation will in most instances try to resolve issues by mutual agreement or mediation, but it will have the power to back this up with enforcement if necessary

20 August 2007

Resident influence, choice and control

Network briefing by Janis Bright sets out details of the Housing Corporation’s latest strategy statement and the CLG consultation on the issue

3 August 2007

Dispute resolution toolkit

Housing Corporation toolkit is for anyone who may have to deal with conflict in social housing, either as a party to a dispute or as someone supporting the search for a solution

13 July 2007

How to gather views on service quality

Communities Scotland guidance note on techniques and tools for using comments, compliments and complaints as feedback

13 July 2007

How to gather views on service quality

Communities Scotland guidance note on issues and concerns around ethical practices in research and consultation

6 July 2007

What is community empowerment?

It was central to the Local Government White Paper, the driving force of the Quirk Review and generally considered an all round good thing. But what is community empowerment and what should we be doing about it? To highlight the progress being made and prompt more local authorities to get involved, CLG has produced a community empowerment DVD and a transcript

19 June 2007

Tenant Empowerment - A consultation paper

CLG consultation which sets out proposals to increase tenant empowerment and includes: a new draft Statutory Instrument to simplify the Right to Manage regulations for local authority tenants; a proposal to promote a voluntary Tenant Management process for all social housing tenants and landlords; a proposal to establish a National Tenant Voice; and proposals to increase tenant voice in stock transfers. Consultation period 19th June to 11th September

19 June 2007

Every Tenant Matters: A Review of Social Housing Regulation

Report of the independent review of social housing regulation led by Professor Martin Cave, Director of Management under Regulation at Warwick University

15 June 2007

Final Regulatory Impact Assessment: Residential leasehold reform: Administrative charges and Service charges

CLG documents which aim to ensure that sufficient and consistent information is provided to tenants about their statutory rights and obligations in relation to administration and service charges

15 June 2007

Housing Corporation requirements in relation to resident involvement

This circular sets out the regulatory requirements placed on housing associations arising from the People First: Delivering Change Through Involvement Policy, which was adopted by the Corporation’s board on 1 May 2007

31 May 2007

Tenancy deposit protection shows early success

A Government drive to prevent rogue landlords wrongfully withholding tenants' deposits is showing early signs of success, according to figures published for the first time today

11 May 2007

Thematic reviews launched by Corporation

The matic reviews on resident involvement and disposals have been published by the Housing Corporation. The two reports form part of a new suite of four publications

30 April 2007

Resident-led self-regulation: potential and prospects

Housing Corporation funded paper which examines the potential and prospects of a new method for putting residents at the heart of regulation – resident-led self-regulation

16 March 2007

Tenants and Residents Organisations of England (TAROE) conference

Speech by Baroness Andrews at the first TAROE national conference

14 March 2007

Get it right! Housing Corporation tackles service charges

Clear and transparent charge setting should be part of a housing association's financial strategy, according to a new Housing Corporation publication

26 February 2007

WeCan! - Spring 2007

CLG is now leading on Together We Can and in the light of the government's Local Government White Paper is clearly committed to empowering communities. This edition of WeCan looks at what the Department is currently doing to give people in communities more of a say in the matters that affect them

1 February 2007

Your questions answered: tenant participation

Laurie McCormack tackles questions focusing on a range of issues around tenant participation

29 January 2007

Housing Corporation in groundbreaking deal with Beacon councils

£100,000 allocated to Beacon councils by HC to promote resident involvement

22 December 2006

Neighbourhood studies

Housing Corporation are seeking to make funding available through the Tenant Empowerment Programme to carry out up to four pilot neighbourhood studies, to explore extending and/or developing tenant management to wider neighbourhood services.

19 December 2006

Housing Corporation warns of action against housing associations who fail to take resident involvement seriously

Housing associations managing more than 250 homes will in future be expected to have at least one resident on their boards and all associations will be expected to provide financial support to ensure residents have the capacity to engage in involvement activity. These are two of the key proposals being put forward by the Housing Corporation as it launches its 'Delivering change through involvement' consultation paper.

19 December 2006

Delivering change through involvement

This consultation paper sets out proposals for a revised resident and community involvement policy which Housing Corporation plan to publish in April 2007