JOB OF THE WEEK: TRUSTEE – HOUSING SPECIALIST
17 March 2010

Hammersmith United Charities (HUC) TRUSTEE – HOUSING SPECIALIST HUC has two almshouses providing 68 sheltered flats on two sites. It will shortly add a further 24 high specification flats. The charity needs a trustee with the strategic vision and operational experience of affordable housing to guide and advise colleagues in what continues to be its core activity. Trustees would welcome someone with knowledge of and interest in Hammersmith. Full details can be had from: www.hamunitedcharities.org.uk or contact: Clerk to the Trustees clerk@hamunitedcharities.com 020 8746 2396.

EVENT: LAST CHANCE TO BOOK FOR NATIONAL HOUSING FEDERATION CONFERENCE ON RETROFITTING
17 March 2010

Housing associations can't avoid retrofitting. The terminology may be baffling but everyone needs to plan the way ahead in retrofitting stock. The National Housing Federation is offering a one-day realistic guide to retrofitting, including speakers from the Energy Saving Trust, Technology Strategy Board, Homes and Communities Agency, CLG and DECC, and many more. It’s not too late to register. The Keeping the roof on conference will be on Monday 22 March at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. Take this chance to get practical advice on what needs to be done, what funding is available and how to access it. Straightforward and plain-speaking sessions will lift the roof on retrofitting. Subjects include ‘What not to do’ and honest feedback on what actually happens in practice. Sensible preparation and expert tips at this stage will more than pay off in the future. For more details, please contact Natalie McGregor on 020 7067 1189 / nataliem@housing.org.uk. www.housing.org.uk

ST MUNGO’S APPLAUDS NEW HEALTH COMMISSIONING GUIDANCE
17 March 2010

St Mungo's has welcomed the launch of a Government study that aims to help Primary Care Trusts become world class commissioners of healthcare services for homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded people. St Mungo's Chief Executive, Charles Fraser spoke at the launch of Inclusion Health: Improving the way we meet the primary health care needs of the socially excluded. Third Sector Minister, Angela Smith and David Colin-Thomé, Director of Primary Care at the Department of Health, formally launched the joint project between the Social Exclusion Task Force and the Department of Health, which was published with an accompanying evidence pack. Angela Smith said: "Everyone should have access to the highest standard of care, no matter what their circumstances or background. Inclusion Health will lead the way in improving health services to help those most vulnerable and will build on the great work that is already happening up and down the country." The evidence pack features St Mungo's in a number of areas, and highlights its health strategy for homeless people. The pack also references St Mungo's innovative health services such as the pilot Intermediate Care project at Cedars Road hostel in Lambeth, South London, and the pilot psychotherapy service, Lifeworks, funded through the Cabinet Office's Social Exclusion Task Force ACE programme. Charles Fraser was one of three people asked to give their response to the study, alongside Professor Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, and Rosemary Cook CBE, Director of the Queen's Nursing Institute. He said: "We welcome this as a tremendous step forward towards improving access to primary healthcare services for the homeless and vulnerable people we work with. The Cabinet Office, the Department of Health and many other committed professionals are to be applauded for building a coalition for change when it comes to commissioning. "Inclusion Health' offers a way forward which is more promising than anything we have seen at St Mungo's in the last 30 years. It is now up to all of us - the Department of Health, GPs, nurses and the voluntary sector - to keep the pressure on so that we achieve lasting change." Further Links

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GENESIS CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW HOMES IN HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM
17 March 2010

Genesis Housing Group, together with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, has opened Factory Quarter, a brand new flagship development of more than 450 homes. Factory Quarter is a mixed use, affordable development. 104 of the homes area affordable rented homes, 185 are available through part-buy/part-rent and the remaining 165 are for outright sale. The development also includes a large commercial area with a community meeting space, café, and health centre as well as a number of retail units; and in the centre of the whole development is a beautiful landscaped area and playground for all the residents to enjoy. The site itself is steeped in history. From 1904 carriage lamps and switch boards, then the pioneering dynamo-charged battery were manufactured here. In later years aircraft and tanks were built on the site during the Second World War. The site was bombed during the Blitz and evidence of its past was found early on in construction when a huge underground bunker was discovered. The event to launch Factory Quarter saw Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, take a tour of one of the shared ownership flats as well as the penthouse roofs. He said: “This is fantastic news for hard working middle income earners who want to live in Hammersmith & Fulham but have not been able to afford to. Owning your own home gives you a greater stake in your community, a greater stake in your own future prosperity and more choice. “Average house prices in the borough are over £450,000, well out of the reach of many hard working families but schemes like this show that it is possible to get a foothold on the property ladder even during these tough economic times. This is exactly the kind of scheme that helps us to make Hammersmith & Fulham a borough of opportunity and I applaud Genesis for their efforts.” Neil Hadden, Genesis’ Group Chief Executive, added: “Everyone at Genesis is immensely proud of Factory Quarter. The fact that these fantastic new homes were finished seven months ahead of schedule is testament to the hard work from all parties involved. I would like to wish all the new residents a very happy life in their new homes.” Further Links

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TOWER HAMLETS HOMES BRINGING SERVICES STRAIGHT TO NEIGHBOURHOODS
17 March 2010

Tower Hamlets Homes is launching its first ever series of Neighbourhood Days this month that will see residents benefiting from all of our services together on their home turf. Residents will be able to access a wide range of advice from staff ranging from rents, repairs to their own dedicated neighbourhood housing team, with the first Neighbourhood Day kicking off on Friday in the Locksley neighbourhood. Chief Executive, Gavin Cansfield said: “The Neighbourhood Days which will be a part of a series across the borough is an opportunity for residents to meet and talk to our staff about getting things done in their neighbourhood. “We want residents to come along to chat to us about their local area and tell us how they want to see it improve. We want to hear their ideas about tackling anti-social behaviour, making cleaner, greener and safer estates, or tackling overcrowding so we can both come up with a plan of attack.” Further Links

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NEW ALLOTMENTS FOR RISLEY AVENUE
17 March 2010

An overgrown piece of wasteland which was derelict for over 20 years has been turned into an urban oasis for allotment lovers. Thanks to a partnership between Homes for Haringey and Haringey Council’s Park Services, the site at Risley Avenue, North Tottenham, has now been cleared of large amounts of rubbish and overgrown vegetation. A new water supply and footpath have also been installed. Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Conservation, Cllr John Bevan joined ward councillors Liz Santry and Gideon Bull for the official open day. Homes for Haringey’s Head of Estate Services, Peter PurdieSharon Morgan, Head of Tenancy Management North also attended. To date, up to 28 local residents have been issued with an allotment tenancy agreement and allocated a plot on which to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Cllr Bevan said: “I am very pleased that this land has been brought back into use for the community to enjoy. I look forward to seeing these allotments flourish in the next few months.” So far 28 of the 30 plots have been allocated and there is already a growing waiting list. Haringey Parks service will carry out inspections of the plots up to four times a year to ensure tenants are maintaining the plots in accordance with their tenancies. Peter Purdie added: “It is very satisfying seeing local residents making the best use of this land. The launch was a great opportunity to meet enthusiastic local allotment holders. I am looking forward to coming back in the autumn to see the results of all their hard work.” Further Links

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MOAT SPRUCES UP SHELTERED HOUSING GARDEN
17 March 2010

Members of Moat’s finance team have visited Lambourne Court, a sheltered scheme in Streatham, to tidy up the communal garden area. They weeded the borders and planted some bulbs which will blossom and brighten up the garden within the next few months of spring. The event was organised as part of Moat’s commitment for staff to become more involved in Moat communities and to increase knowledge of all areas of the organisation. The finance team worked hard to tidy up the garden and undertake the work which the older residents are not always able to complete. Andrew Cliff, Moat’s interim group financial account, said: “This gave us a chance to see the immediate effects a little hard work can have for some of our more vulnerable residents. “Indirectly, we all regularly contribute towards supporting Moat communities but it has been great to get out of the office and do something different.” Further Links

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HOUSING NEWS: JOBS AND TENDERS ROUND-UP
17 March 2010

Housing News is advertising the following jobs and tenders on its regional newsletters: JOBS Sedgefield Borough Homes is seeking a Head of Property and Development, salary £55,876. For more information, go to: northeast.housingnews.co.uk/jobs. Fusion21 are seeking an experienced project coordinator based in Huyton. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/northwest.Closing Date: March 19. Hammersmith United Charities is seeking a Trustee - Housing Specialist. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/london/job. West Kent Housing Association is seeking a Policy/Service Improvement Manager. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/london. Closing Date: March 18. The Northern Housing Consortium is seeking a Procurement Manager based in Sunderland, salary circa £31k + benefits. For more information, go to: www.housingnews.co.uk/northeast. Closing date: March 22. Tenders North Glasgow Housing Association is inviting tenders for Internal Audit Services. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: April 2. DGHP Ltd is inviting tenders for a new housing development. For more information, go to: www.scottishhousingnews.com. Closing date: April 12. To reach the best candidates in the social housing sector, advertise your top jobs in one of our eight regional newsletters or go national to over 40,000 readers. For more information, call Hucksters on 01892 784804. Further Links

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HOUSING NEWS
17 March 2010

Housing News exists to provide a national platform for Britain’s affordable and social housing sector. We deliver eight regional daily newsletters to over 19,000 readers providing news that is focussed, fast and free. Our regional newsletters cover: North East & Yorkshire North West & North Wales Eastern West Midlands South East South West & South Wales London Scotland If you would like to receive any of the above FREE publications then email news@housingnews.co.uk www.housingnews.co.uk