Welcome to HQN and The Housing Quality Network

   

Housing and related strategies

• Help for working social tenants

  4 March 2010

  Plans for tenants with a new job offer to get government help to find a new home

• Evaluation of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal

  4 March 2010

  Final report

• PSA 16 (Socially Excluded Adults) qualitative research on settled accommodation

  2 March 2010

  CLG research

• Clarifying when an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required on the sale or letting of buildings

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• Proposals for requiring Energy Performance Certificate ratings to be displayed on all property advertisements

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• Requiring Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• The Implications of Housing Type/Size Mix and Density

  1 March 2010

  Research which looks at the viability and affordability of new housing

• New planning regime for major infrastructure

  1 March 2010

  Fairer and faster planning decisions will help power the country to a low carbon future

• Housing Stock, England

  25 February 2010

  Dwelling Stock estimates, England, 2009

• Net supply of housing

  25 February 2010

  2008-09, England

• Government response to the Matthew Taylor Review

  24 February 2010

  Updated implementation plan

• Creating more sustainable rural communities

  16 February 2010

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen

• House Price Index

  16 February 2010

  December 2009

• Tenure and change in deprived areas

  11 February 2010

  Evidence from the New Deal for Communities areas

• Housing and Planning Key Facts

  9 February 2010

  February 2010

• The Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) Scoping Study

  4 February 2010

  The Working Neighbourhoods Fund Scoping Study report provides an overview of the nature and scale of the worklessness problem in WNF areas and the strategies in place to tackle it

• Local action on climate change

  29 January 2010

  Nine pioneering local authorities will work to develop a programme of action to tackle climate change.

• Can equity release help older home-owners improve their quality of life?

  28 January 2010

  JRF has been working with partners to develop equity release packages

• House Price Index

  12 January 2010

  November 2009

• Tracking economic deprivation in New Deal for Communities areas

  8 January 2010

  This CLG report is an in-depth study of economic deprivation in the 39 New Deal for Communities areas

• Crimes occurring and prevented in New Deal for Communities areas

  8 January 2010

  This CLG report examines the economic cost of crime potentially prevented by the New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme between 2000-01 and 2004-05

• Assessing neighbourhood level regeneration and public expenditure

  8 January 2010

  This CLG report compares levels of public expenditure in the Bradford New Deal for Communities (NDC) area with that across the local authority

• House Price Index

  15 December 2009

  October 2009

• State of the Nation 2009: A reality check

  15 December 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray

• 2009 PBR

  11 December 2009

  HCA on course to deliver

• Pre-Budget Report 2009

  11 December 2009

  Communities Secretary John Denham and Housing Minister John Healey have welcomed the Pre-Budget Report as a fair outcome for local government - but one that sets it a clear challenge to protect frontline services in the future

• Affordable Housing Supply, England

  10 December 2009

  2008-2009

• John Denham - Welcomes tough new test for public services putting the customer first

  10 December 2009

  A powerful new tool giving local people unprecedented information about the standard of public services in their area has been welcomed by Communities Secretary John Denham

• Housing and Planning Statistics 2009

  3 December 2009

  The latest annual volume of Housing and Planning Statistics for 2009 has now been released under arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority

• Designs for Later Life

  3 December 2009

  New HCA report calls for action on housing for older people

• The development of social well-being in new extra care housing schemes

  20 November 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree research examined how social well-being developed in 15 new-build housing schemes

• 5 Year Land Supply for Housing in England as at April 2009

  20 November 2009

  This release of Official Statistics is the first in an annual series summarising Local Planning Authorities' reported assessment of the '5 year land supply' for housing

• Housing and neighbourhoods monitor

  18 November 2009

  Analysis of trends in housing and neighbourhoods and how these interact across different parts of the UK

• Using data and information to improve decision-making and performance

  13 November 2009

  Joint Network and SEN briefing by Tim Brown and Lesley Healey

• House Price Index

  10 November 2009

  September 2009

• English Housing Survey Dissemination Strategy: Your chance to have your say

  5 November 2009

  CLG would welcome comments from users of housing survey data on the type and content of outputs that they would like to see. Responses by Wednesday 2 December 2009

• Young people to get green-fingered apprenticeships

  5 November 2009

  Communities Secretary John Denham has announced plans to recruit 175 green-fingered apprentices to get parks and gardens growing in some of the country's most deprived areas

• An accommodation self assessment toolkit for the Socially Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement

  2 November 2009

  This self assessment toolkit is designed to assist local housing authorities to deliver improved accommodation outcomes

• House Building: June Quarter 2009, England (Revised)

  28 October 2009

  The latest national statistics on house building were released under the auspices of the UK Statistics Authority on 28 October 2009

• Key messages and evidence on the housing market renewal pathfinder programme 2003-2009

  23 October 2009

  This summary report provides an overview of the key recent evidence relating to the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder programme, drawing out important messages and findings, and providing signposts and links to where further information can be found

• Policy alignment and partnership working in housing market renewal pathfinders

  23 October 2009

  This paper reviews the extent to which HMR Pathfinders are aligned to the policy frameworks within the regions, sub-regions, districts and neighbourhoods in which they operate

• National evaluation of housing market renewal pathfinders 2005 to 2007

  23 October 2009

  This evaluation looks at the programme's achievements, between 2005 and 2007 and assesses changes in the wider housing market, considering the implications for the future of the HMR programme

• Community Land Trusts and affordable housing

  22 October 2009

  Network briefing by Vanessa Morton

• House Price Index - August 2009

  14 October 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Dragon's Den test for Council Innovation Awards

  6 October 2009

  Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton has called for the best ideas or schemes from local service providers to be put forward for new Innovation Awards

• Over £180m further investment for more council housing

  29 September 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has launched the second phase of the biggest council house building programme for almost two decades. He also stated that councils must include details of how they will create new apprenticeship schemes if they expect to get a slice of government cash

• Housing in England 2007-08

  29 September 2009

  This report is based on information from the 15,622 households interviewed for the Survey of English Housing Survey (SEH) beginning April 2007. It also contains some analysis of housing-related data from the Labour Force Survey and the Family Resources Survey

• Fifteen years of the Survey of English Housing: 1993-94 to 2007-08

  29 September 2009

  A short report presenting some initial outputs from the SEH15 dataset, a new dataset which combines key household level data from each of the 15 annual SEH datasets from 1993-94 to 2007-08

• Developing the new Place Survey 2008

  29 September 2009

  Final Report

• Developing the new Place Survey 2008

  29 September 2009

  2nd Pilot: Final Report

• Local Government must spend £42 billion better

  29 September 2009

  Local Government must use its £42 billion buying power to innovate and shape markets, said Communities Secretary John Denham

• Housing associations must raise their game in the downturn

  29 September 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has called on housing associations to raise their game and do more to create new apprenticeship opportunities and help people get on the housing ladder and stay in their homes during the downturn. Any housing association bidding for a share of the £7.5 billion available for affordable housing will for the first time now be required to offer apprenticeship and local job opportunities

• Home Improvement Agencies – the future

  25 September 2009

  Complimentary SEN briefing by Lynn Collingbourne

• Housing and jobs boost for coalfield communities

  22 September 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has announced a multi-million pound boost to job opportunities in coalfield communities during the downturn

• Social housing fraud

  22 September 2009

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen examines the cost and extent of social housing fraud via the illegal sub-letting of homes owned by local authorities and housing associations

• House Price Index - July 2009

  15 September 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Government response to the Select Committee's Report on the CLG housing and the credit crunch

  15 September 2009

  This paper is a follow up response by Communities and Local Government to the Select Committee's recommendations and conclusions on housing and the credit crunch

• Strengthening local government to deliver better public services

  11 September 2009

  Councils in North Kent, the West Midlands and the West of England have been given new freedoms and powers to work together to improve employment, skills, housing and transport in their regions, announced Communities Secretary John Denham

• Social housing sales to sitting tenants, England, 2008-09

  28 August 2009

  The latest statistics on social housing sales to sitting tenants in England have now been released

• HQN annual conference

  25 August 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray details each of the presentations at this year's HQN annual conference

• House building

  21 August 2009

  June quarter 2009, England

• Affordable housing in rural areas safeguarded for future generations

  12 August 2009

  Affordable rural homes in thousands of newly designated 'protected' areas will be safeguarded for future generations of first time buyers under new provisions announced by Housing Minister Ian Austin

• House Price Index - June 2009

  11 August 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Attitudes to housing

  7 August 2009

  CLG commissioned research as part of a programme to investigate attitudes to housing issues. The findings from the Ipsos MORI Public Affairs Monitor Omnibus Survey were explored further in a qualitative study using focus groups. The research was conducted in the summer and autumn of 2008

  Additional files:

  • Click here to download the results of the qualitative study

• Rationalisation of housing stock: which way forward in the new era?

  28 July 2009

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes offers some thoughts on how a range of significant changes in the operating environment – from the creation of the Tenant Services Authority to the economic downturn – might affect the rationalisation agenda

• Guidance following the fire at Lakanal House, Camberwell, London

  9 July 2009

  Following the fire at Lakanal House, Peter Marsh has written a letter to RSLs providing advice to them on practical measures they should take in the light of that fire

• Top architects and housing experts to think up age friendly homes of the future

  9 July 2009

  Top architects and specialists including Sir Richard MacCormac and Professor Anne Power are amongst those recruited to take on the challenge of making sure homes of the future meet the needs of our ageing population

• Understanding attitudes to tackling economic inequality

  22 June 2009

  Joseph Rowntree research on public attitudes to inequality has tended to focus more on revealing attitudes than exploring what motivates them. This study aims to fill some of the gaps in existing research to provide useful insights for practitioners and policy-makers

• Decent Homes - the next steps?

  18 June 2009

  Network briefing by Sheila Camp looks at the aims of the report; 'Towards a successor standard to Decent Homes', the key areas for a new standard, areas to be excluded/tackled locally and the next steps

• Living Working Countryside: The Government Response to The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing

  11 June 2009

  Network briefing paper by Vanessa Morton analyses the government’s recent response to the findings of the Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing, Living Working Countryside, published last July

• House Price Index - April 2009

  9 June 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Recession in Wales: nearly half the unemployed are under twenty five

  4 June 2009

  New poverty calculations for Wales show that, as of the latest figures, 45% of unemployed people in Wales are under twenty five. Monitoring poverty and social exclusion in Wales 2009, by the New Policy Institute for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, identifies trends in poverty statistics over the last ten years

• HCA guidance published to help partners with Single Conversation

  14 May 2009

  The HCA has published guidance to help its partners deliver the aims of the agency’s new business process – the Single Conversation - to create affordable, well served, enjoyable and attractive places where people want to live

• Social Lettings Tables - adjusted for missing local authority landlord data - 2007/08

  12 May 2009

  These CLG tables give information about the characteristics of households receiving general needs social lettings in 2007-08

• House Price Index - March 2009

  12 May 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Hazel Blears backs 'revolution to recycle' buildings

  29 April 2009

  Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has unveiled a series of measures to back a people's revolution to recycle buildings by putting real power in the hands of locals to support communities during the downturn and beyond

• Call on councils to help more young people into work

  29 April 2009

  A £1 billion fund to stimulate councils' efforts to help people into work was hailed today as Ministers called on organisations to submit innovative bids for jobs that will make Britain a better place and improve their local community

• Rural Affordable Housing project launched

  20 April 2009

  A new initiative to provide support and advice to local authorities and their partners on the delivery of rural affordable housing has now been launched

• HCA announces new HomeBuy Agents for 2009-11

  25 March 2009

  Following a competitive tendering exercise to ensure continued high levels of service and value for money, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has now published the list of organisations which will act as Local HomeBuy Agents across England for the period 2009-11

• Government response to Matthew Taylor review of Rural Affordable Housing and Economy

  25 March 2009

  In 2007, Matthew Taylor MP was asked by the Prime Minister to undertake a review of the countryside, and to make recommendations about how to nurture a healthy rural economy and ensure an adequate supply of affordable rural housing. The Review 'Living Working Countryside' was published in July 2008. This report provides the government response to this review

• Government sets out plans to safeguard future of rural communities

  25 March 2009

  The government has set out its proposals for helping rural communities to thrive in the 21st Century by providing more affordable housing and greater freedom to develop strong local economies

• Strong and prosperous communities - The Local Government White Paper: Final implementation plan

  23 March 2009

  This final implementation plan gives further information on how the government is playing its part in implementing key proposals in Strong and Prosperous Communities - the Local Government White Paper

• House Price Index - January 2009

  19 March 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Funding for Aylesham approved

  16 March 2009

  The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has confirmed that it has approved a £6m investment for the employment and training requirements of Aylesham in Kent, in recognition of the needs of the former coalfield community

• Household Projections to 2031, England

  12 March 2009

  The latest national statistics on household projections to 2031 for England released under the auspices of the UK Statistics Authority

• The role of Housing Associations in responding to the economic downturn

  5 March 2009

  Speech by The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Housing and Planning

• The ‘new’ Local Area Agreements (LAAs) and housing

  3 March 2009

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes gives an overview of what is meant to be different about this round of LAAs, some strengths and weaknesses of the new form and how housing issues seem to have fared

• Transferring housing stock from council ownership to housing associations, a continuing success

  3 March 2009

  Despite facing major challenges, housing associations inheriting former council housing since 1997 have been highly successful in delivering improvements promised to tenants. This is according to ‘The impacts of housing stock transfers in urban Britain’

• Managing resources in later life

  3 March 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree report explores the changing lives of older people and shows how resources are used to manage change and maintain stability

• Net supply of housing: 2007-08, England

  3 March 2009

  The latest England net supply of housing statistics produced by Communities and Local Government have now been released

• Tackling Worklessness: A Review of the contribution and role of local authorities and partnerships - Final report

  3 March 2009

  The final report of Stephen Houghton's Tackling Worklessness Review contains the review team's recommendations on how successful multi-agency and cross-sector local partnerships can best tackle worklessness in their communities

• Helping jobless must be council priority during downturn

  3 March 2009

  Ministers have welcomed a new report setting out practical measures to support councils' efforts to boost employment in their areas. In his report Cllr Stephen Houghton, Leader of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, calls for an increase in the number of council apprenticeships and 'work taster' programmes, streamlining and pooling of financial support from both local and central government, and immediate efforts by councils to assess how the downturn is affecting their areas, and to develop plans to tackle it

• £100m boost to council coffers as they help communities through the credit crunch

  24 February 2009

  Local Government Minister John Healey has confirmed that 360 councils will receive their share of £100m within the next few days, to be used as they see fit to help meet local needs and priorities - particularly helpful in this difficult economic climate

• House Building

  19 February 2009

  December Quarter 2008, England

• Strategy to tackle environmental impact of homes welcomed by the HCA

  17 February 2009

  The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has welcomed the publication of the government’s draft Heat and Energy Savings Strategy, which sets out a plan for environmental improvements to be made available to householders in every home, in every street by 2030, to significantly reduce carbon emissions

• House price index – December 2008

  17 February 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Real help now, reflections for the future

  17 February 2009

  Speech by The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Housing and Planning

• Housing and planning key facts

  9 February 2009

  This CLG quick reference leaflet is published quarterly and contains a snapshot of the main housing and planning data

• The Working Neighbourhoods Fund 2009-2011: Revising the Third Criterion consultation - Government response

  6 February 2009

  On 4 November 2008, the government published a consultation paper seeking views on proposals for revising the third criterion used to determine eligibility for the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) for 2009 to 2011. This document sets out the key points raised by the local authorities and individuals who submitted their opinions on the proposals, and the government's response to those key points

• TSA’s corporate plan puts tenants first and outlines financial viability twin-track plan

  29 January 2009

  Economic and housing market conditions will pose a significant challenge to providers of social housing in the coming months, and they will need to 'be viable and well governed and improve constantly', according to the Tenant Services Authority

• Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill: Policy Document on Regional Strategies

  29 January 2009

  The purpose of this document is to explain Part 5 (regional strategy) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill and how it would be applied, and to indicate what will be covered by regulations and guidance

• Blears - real help for communities in Barnsley

  27 January 2009

  Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has begun a series of visits across the country to see first hand how local leaders are making use of devolved powers in responding to pressures facing their communities, explain what government is doing to provide real and practical support and find out how they can further help authorities to get on with the job

• Local Authority Housing Statistics, England: 2007/08: Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) and Business Plan Statistical Appendix (BPSA)

  23 January 2009

  The latest statistics provided by local authorities in England on their Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) and Business Plan Statistical Appendix (BPSA) for 2007/08

• Decent Homes in the Social Sector - Statistics Reconciliation Project 2008

  14 January 2009

  This CLG report summarises the results of a project to explore the discrepancies in non-decent social sector dwelling estimates reported in a national survey and local statistical returns

• House price index – November 2008

  14 January 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• New council economic unions to boost local skills and jobs

  12 January 2009

  Merseyside, Leicestershire and the Pennines will be devolved more local autonomy to deliver home-grown economic resilience, jobs and skills plans, following the signing of three historic council partnership contracts (MAA’s) by the Prime Minister and council leaders

• Supporting local information and research: Understanding demand and improving capacity

  5 January 2009

  CLG in partnership with the Audit Commission and the Local Government Association, commissioned this external review to better understand how to strengthen support to local partners in using local information and research in decision-making

• Options for the Future of the Household Projection Model: A final report

  19 December 2008

  The Communities and Local Government 'household projection model' is used to generate household projections using the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) sub-national population projections, with the outputs used as a key element of the evidence base for housing and planning. The national household projections are the government's official long-term view of the future if demographic trends were to continue, and are particularly important in supporting policy development and enabling regional and local bodies to plan their housing and other services

• How the social housing sector can help to tackle worklessness

  16 December 2008

  Network briefing paper by Sheila Spencer focuses on the work that has been done by housing associations, arm’s-length management organisations (ALMOs), and local authorities, individually and in partnership with other housing organisations to tackle worklessness

• LEGI update report

  16 December 2008

  This report reviews the initial development phase of the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) programme in terms of delivery and progress towards key objectives

• Housing Statistics 2008

  11 December 2008

  The latest annual volume of Housing Statistics for 2008 have now been released

• Programmes to promote employment for disabled people: Lessons from the United States

  11 December 2008

  This DWP report reviews evaluation findings from the US experience in providing return-to-work supports for people with disabilities and discusses the implications for similar efforts in the UK. The report provides lessons for developing and evaluating future UK employment initiatives, especially for people with severe psychiatric conditions and long-term disability claimants

• House price index - October 2008

  10 December 2008

  The latest UK house price index statistics have been produced by Communities and Local Government

• Pre-Budget (PBR) report

  5 December 2008

  The Housing Quality Networks Pre-Budget (PBR) report, from 24 November 2008, which covers the implications for the housing sector

• Tackling worklessness in NDC areas - a policy and practice update

  4 December 2008

  This paper draws out lessons from four NDC programmes' efforts to tackle worklessness, giving examples of progress made, the problems faced and projects used to address them and provides a guide to some of the issues relevant to neighbourhood level interventions to tackle worklessness

• Strategy healthcheck: are you going in the right direction?

  2 December 2008

  We are all constantly managing change and responding to the many challenges we continually face at national, regional and local level through our existing policies, plans and strategies we already have in place. However we cannot forget that so much has happened in 2008 in the forever changing economic climate which is upon us. We therefore now need to ensure that we are ahead of the game and prepare ourselves as ‘strategic thinkers and doers’ for 2009 and beyond

• Overall Employment rate (working age population) at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas), England, April 2007/March 2008

  28 November 2008

  The baseline data measuring Departmental Strategic Objective 3.7: Overall Employment rate (working age population) at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas). The release covers the baseline data for the most deprived areas in Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) areas and the rest of England, for April 2007-March 2008

• Tackling Worklessness: A Review of the contribution and role of local authorities and partnerships - Interim Report

  28 November 2008

  The Interim Report of Stephen Houghton's Tackling Worklessness Review contains the Review team's current thinking on how successful multi-agency and cross-sector local partnerships can best tackle worklessness in their communities

• Are you going in the right direction?

  27 November 2008

  Get your bearings with a housing strategy health check

• Addressing worklessness with social housing tenants through targeted outreach

  26 November 2008

  Complimentary SUNnet briefing paper describes why it is such an important issue for social landlords, and shows how Unity Housing Association has addressed it by developing the Tenants Into Work (TIW) model of partnership working and outreach

• In brief: Housing and economic development - moving forward together

  26 November 2008

  This report aims to assist the Housing Corporation and its successor bodies in the development of policy and strategy, with an emphasis on how future housing investment can maximise its contribution to economic development and how housing and physical regeneration interventions can be integrated with, and complementary to, economic development strategies

• Preparing for our ageing society – a discussion paper

  26 November 2008

  This DWP discussion paper, and a series of associated public discussion events, are part of the first stage of a review of the government’s strategy for meeting the challenges of our ageing society

• The British 'welfare market': Lessons from contracting out welfare to work programmes in Australia and the Netherlands

  21 November 2008

  Jospeh Rowntree report which looks in detail at the development and impact of the Australian and Dutch welfare markets

• More councils to offer homes and jobs advice

  21 November 2008

  Sixty councils will benefit from increased funding to boost their housing and employment advice options for local residents, announced Communities Minister Iain Wright

• Housing choices and issues for young people in the UK

  18 November 2008

  Young people are experiencing increased risk and uncertainty as they move into independent housing. This Joseph Rowntree review considers their options and highlights some of the most pressing housing-related issues facing young people in the UK today

• The Neighbourhood Audit

  24 October 2008

  The NHF audit revealed that housing associations deliver more than 6,800 identifiable projects, many with a plethora of different activities, and hundreds of neighbourhood facilties like community centres, sports facilities and others, which contribute to the economic, environmental and social stability of our neighbourhoods

• Lifting the Burdens Task Force: a review of Economic Development and Regeneration

  22 October 2008

  This is the penultimate review from the Task Force and has taken place in the context of the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) and the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)

• Tackling the green agenda

  21 October 2008

  Network briefing by Richard Lupo outlines the main initiatives taken in the UK and what they mean for building practice with a particular reference to social housing providers

• House price index – August 2008

  16 October 2008

  The latest UK house price index statistics have now been produced by Communities and Local Government

• New proposals to tackle rural housing shortages

  9 October 2008

  New powers to help keep homes affordable for communities in rural areas have been set out by Housing Minister Iain Wright

• Shared Ownership and Leasehold Enfranchisement and Designation of 'Protected Areas' - A consultation paper

  9 October 2008

  This consultation paper sets out, and seeks view on, the initial proposals for designation in rural areas. It also asks for views on the types of location which could be considered for designation and the terms and conditions for non-housing association shared ownership leases granted for houses. Consultation closes 31.12.08

• New sustainable framework for homes and jobs in the North West

  1 October 2008

  A new regional strategy that directs long-term housing and economic growth and environmental protection in the North West was announced by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews

• Housing support for service personnel

  29 September 2008

  Frequently asked questions about housing commitments arising from the Service Personnel Command Paper

• The Strategic Housing Role of Local Authorities: Powers and Duties

  22 September 2008

  This document, which is part of a suite of guidance about the local authority strategic housing role, lists some of the powers and guidance that authorities can draw upon in delivering their strategic housing role

• Housing in England 2006/07: A report based on the 2006/07 Survey of English Housing

  18 September 2008

  This report is based on information from the 17,849 households interviewed for the Survey of English Housing (SEH) in the year beginning April 2006

• Achieving Building for life

  18 September 2008

  This Housing Corporation publication offers guidance for affordable housing providers on how to achieve the Building for Life standards

• Charity begins at home - new action to get homeless into work

  11 September 2008

  A major new initiative to help give the chance of a job to more people who have experienced homelessness has been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Ensuring a fair housing market for all - Latest housing market package

  10 September 2008

  Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor, gives an overview of the latest housing market package, recently announced by CLG

• Last ever Housing Corporation corporate plan published

  7 August 2008

  The last ever Housing Corporation corporate plan has now been published. In 2008-09 the Housing Corporation has committed itself to facilitating the smooth and effective transition of its responsibilities to the new agencies, working in close partnership with the teams tasked with setting up the Homes and Communities Agency and the Tenant Services Authority

• Government guidance on housing provision to inform regional strategy revisions

  31 July 2008

  Caroline Flint, Minister for Housing and Planning, has written to the Chairs of the eight Regional Assemblies and the Mayor of London offering guidance on housing provision to inform regional strategy revisions

• Bidders shortlisted in £200m transport scheme for new housing

  31 July 2008

  Schemes shortlisted for a share of a £200m transport infrastructure fund for new housing developments have been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint and Transport Minister Rosie Winterton

• New deal for communities: lessons learnt

  29 July 2008

  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

• Government welcomes Matthew Taylor report

  23 July 2008

  The Government has welcomed Matthew Taylor MP's report into rural economies and affordable housing saying that his core proposals support and extend the commitments they have already made to boost affordable housing and ensure that every rural community can share in the nation's prosperity

• Further consultation on vital South West development vision

  22 July 2008

  A 12 week consultation on the South West's vision to tackle climate change, address housing shortages and strengthen the region's economy has been launched by the Government

• Further consultation on vital East Midlands regional plan

  22 July 2008

  A 12 week consultation on the East Midland's vision to tackle climate change, address housing shortages and strengthen the region's economy has been launched by the Government Office for the East Midlands. Consultation closes 17 October 2008

• Consultation on the future of the Local Area Agreement reward scheme (July 2008)

  21 July 2008

  This consultation document sets out the Government's proposals for a new method of calculating Performance Reward Grant entitlement. Consultation closes 26 September 2008

• London – a new Mayor. A new approach. A new strategy for housing?

  17 July 2008

  Network briefing by Genevieve Macklin explores the changes and new ideas being introduced by the new Mayor of London

• Second round growth points: Partnerships for growth

  17 July 2008

  This document provides a list of successful second round NGPs along with agreed housing numbers, local ambitions, and a location map

• Facing the housing challenge: Action today, innovation for tomorrow

  17 July 2008

  As a result of the credit crunch, we have seen falls in house prices, people find it harder to get a mortgage and house-builders are experiencing difficult business conditions

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

  11 July 2008

  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

• Sustainable Communities Act 2007 Response to Consultation on Regulations and Statutory Guidance

  11 July 2008

  The Sustainable Communities Act received Royal Assent on 23 October 2007. Its aim is to promote the sustainability of local communities. This paper comprises the formal response to consultation on draft Regulations and Statutory Guidance

• Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities: Statutory Guidance

  9 July 2008

  This document provides statutory guidance to local authorities and their partners on creating strong, safe and prosperous communities. It covers the duty to involve and duties around Local Area Agreements in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

• Local initiatives to help workless people find and keep paid work

  30 June 2008

  Joseph Rowntree report into Worklessness

• Tackling overcrowding in England

  11 June 2008

  This note summarises the lessons learned so far from five Communities and Local Government-funded pilot schemes in London and work to strengthen capacity to address overcrowding in each of the five London sub-regions

• House Price Index - April 2008

  11 June 2008

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Reaching Out - working with ethnic communities in housing

  9 June 2008

  Complimentary SUNnet briefing for Network members on addressing the issues surrounding worklessness

• Two housing associations appointed to manage distribution of the Corporation's £50,000 IGP Grant to tackle overcrowding

  6 June 2008

  Bradford Community Housing Trust and Peabody Trust have been appointed by the Housing Corporation to manage distribution of its £50k Innovation and Good Practice (IGP) Grant to tackle overcrowding, it has been announced

• Rural housing in Wales

  4 June 2008

  The paper presents the findings and recommendations of the independent JRF Commission on Rural Housing in Wales

• New drive to get long term unemployed back to work

  29 May 2008

  Local Government Minister John Healey has announced details of a new review team to advise how steps to improve our most disadvantaged communities can make a real difference

• £50,000 available to housing associations to help tackle overcrowding

  8 May 2008

  The Housing Corporation is seeking expressions of interest from eligible housing associations to manage a £50,000 IGP grant to help tackle overcrowding. The grant supports the December 2007 launch of the Governments National Overcrowding Action Plan that announced 38 local authority led overcrowding pathfinder areas covering London, Birmingham, Leicester, Manchester and Liverpool

• Participatory Budgeting

  2 May 2008

  Participatory budgeting is one of the key practices that can successfully empower large numbers of local people. It engages with local people to take decisions on the spending priorities for a part of a public budget in their local area, for example for activities such as local environmental issues, community facilities, road safety measures or local crime initiatives

• Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 Regulatory Impact Assessment

  2 May 2008

  This revised Regulatory Impact Assessment assesses the likely impact of the policy proposals outlined in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. It takes into account minor policy amendments made before the Act received Royal Assent in October 2007

• Good Practice Note 16: Working with local authorities

  1 May 2008

  Housing Corporation Good Practice Note aims to promote more effective joint working between housing associations and local authorities, to encourage wider thinking and to generate improved practice

• Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A national strategy for housing in an ageing society

  25 April 2008

  Network briefing by Hazel Summers outlines the key elements and implications of the national strategy for housing in an ageing society

• House Price Index Statistical Release - February 2008

  16 April 2008

  The latest monthly house price index statistical release has just been published by CLG. The link below provides the latest release and an archive of previous releases

• Housing and planning: the crucial role of the new local performance framework

  9 April 2008

  Central and local government are both aware that housing delivery is a key issue. Local Area Agreements (LAAs) will form part of a range of measures through which local authorities and their partners can achieve their objectives on housing growth. This publication describes how the local performance framework (including LAAs and the national indicator set) allows local authorities and partners to prioritise and address housing delivery through targets that are tailored to a three-year timescale

• Modernising Housing Advice

  8 April 2008

  Housing advice has always played a key role in preventing homelessness but could housing advice offer more? CIH believes a more expanded role should be considered, a role that focuses on helping more individuals realise their long-term housing aspirations – whether in the private sector or in affordable housing. It published its report in March 2008

• Investing in lifetimes

  2 April 2008

  Plans to address the housing needs of an ageing population outlined in new Housing Corporation Strategy

• Expanding Choice, Addressing Need

  20 March 2008

  CLG document which outlines a new vision for the provision of housing advice in England

• Flint announces next steps to link housing advice and opportunities

  20 March 2008

  Housing Minister Caroline Flint has announced a package of measures to step-up action to tackle worklessness, promote opportunity and strengthen the link between access to housing services, training and jobs

• The public value of social housing: a longitudinal analysis of the relationship between housing and life chances

  20 March 2008

  This research study looks at the life chances of people living in social housing from the Second World War up to the current day

• Using stock swaps to rationalise housing management

  25 April 2006

  Network briefing by David Bebb based on Liverpool Housing Trust’s experience of completing two successful stock swaps in Liverpool involving about 700 homes and three other housing associations

 

Regional and sub-regional policy

• Research into multi-area agreements

  25 January 2010

  Summary of key findings

• Establishing unitary councils in April 2009

  8 January 2010

  Lessons learnt

• Proposed changes to the delivery of local authorities' and FRAs' freedoms and flexibilities after the introduction of CAA

  17 December 2009

  Summary of responses

• State of the Nation 2009: A reality check

  15 December 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray

• Consultation on Regional Strategies and Guidance on the establishment of Leaders' Boards

  7 August 2009

  Consultation paper on a new policy statement on the process of preparing, revising, implementing and monitoring Regional Strategies, draft regulations to support the implementation of Part 5 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill, draft guidance on the preparation of schemes for the establishment of Leaders' Boards and draft supplementary guidance on undertaking sustainability appraisal of Regional Strategies. Consultation closes 30 October 2009

• Local area agreements and local economic development

  17 July 2009

  This study explores the variations in the number and types of economic indicators adopted across different localities within the 2008 Local Area Agreement (LAA) process by identifying the factors that influenced indicator selection and the extent and nature of the relationship of the adopted indicators to processes of local economic development

• Living Working Countryside: The Government Response to The Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing

  11 June 2009

  Network briefing paper by Vanessa Morton analyses the government’s recent response to the findings of the Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing, Living Working Countryside, published last July

• Housing pathfinders face testing time as recession bites

  14 May 2009

  Places in the North and Midlands, where the government has spent billions attempting to revive the housing market, are being hit hard by the recession and may struggle to recover

• Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs)

  21 April 2009

  Report finds that LSPs have 'important lessons to learn from one another'

• Homes and Communities Agency organises for local delivery

  2 April 2009

  The Homes and Communities Agency has now published a new staff structure that focuses the whole organisation on regional and local delivery

• Local Area Agreements reward guidance: 2009

  17 February 2009

  This document sets out guidance on the new model to be used for calculating Performance Reward Grant

• Local Area Agreements

  4 December 2008

  Research publications about Local Area Agreements (LAAs)

• Government response to Prosperous Places: Taking forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration

  26 November 2008

  This document sets out how the government will take forward the reforms proposed in the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (the SNR), following public consultation

• Multi-Area Agreements

  4 November 2008

  Multi-Area Agreements (MAAs) show local authorities coming together, pooling resources and recognising that the best way to crack some of the problems that matter most is through partnership. This is the view of Hazel Blears, Communities and Local Government Secretary, in announcing how Multi-Area Agreements (MAAs) are starting to reshape local economies - driving economic growth and prosperity in our communities and reducing financial inequalities between them

• Local Area Agreements Conference 2008

  31 October 2008

  Speech by The Rt Hon John Healey MP, Minister for Local Government

• LAA Annual Review 2008/09

  25 September 2008

  On 30 June the government signed 150 Local Area Agreements (LAAs) with local councils and their partners - 150 unique pledges to local people to improve public services and the quality of life for people living and working in the area concerned

• LAA negotiations in 2008: Lessons Learnt

  25 September 2008

  This document summarises the key lessons learnt from LAA negotiations in 2008 obtained from stakeholders across central, regional and local government plus local partners over the summer

• Working with Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements: Some lessons from the New Deal for Communities Programme

  18 September 2008

  This study explores the relationship between four New Deal for Community (NDC) partnerships and their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), and what impact if any this has on the Local Area Agreement (LAA)

• More power transferred to new unitary authorities

  19 August 2008

  Further regulations to facilitate the smooth progress of transition to new unitary authorities in seven areas across England have been laid before Parliament by Communities Minister Parmjit Dhanda

• “Another step forward” for new Unitary Authorities

  13 August 2008

  Local Government Minister John Healey has laid new regulations to smooth the progress of arrangements for new unitary authorities in seven areas across England. The regulations remove many of the practical barriers to the creation of the nine new councils, helping to support and maintain momentum during the transition process

• Principles of Representation: A framework for effective third sector participation in Local Strategic Partnerships

  11 August 2008

  This document provides advice to the third sector on how best to organise themselves to maximise their input on Local Strategic Partnership boards (LSPs); help LSPs decide how best to involve the sector; and assist all LSP partners to agree an inclusive approach involving the sector more and, through them, empower their communities to exert more influence over local decision-making

• Growth Fund: Programme of Development Guidance 2008

  31 July 2008

  The consultation on the Growth Fund closed on the 7 July 2008, and a government response has now been published. This guidance note has been prepared in line with the government response, and seeks to assist the existing Growth Points and Growth Areas to revise their Programmes of Development in order to confirm indicative allocations from the Growth Fund for 2009/10 and 2010/11, and to bid for additional funding made available from the Growth Fund for the same period

• The Growth Fund 2008-2011: Consultation Response

  31 July 2008

  In line with the principles of the Local Government White Paper, during 2007/08 Communities and Local Government reviewed how funding support for Growth Areas and Growth Points was delivered, in order to better align it with the development of Local Area Agreements and the Local Performance Framework

• Prosperous Places: Taking forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration

  1 April 2008

  Consultation document which sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the Sub-National Economic Development Regeneration (SNR) for putting in place reforms

• Prosperous Places: Taking forward the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration

  1 April 2008

  Consultation document which sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the Sub-National Economic Development Regeneration (SNR) for putting in place reforms

• Why Place Matters and Implications for the Role of Central, Regional and Local Government

  1 April 2008

  This paper highlights some of the underpinning Communities and Local Government analysis which fed into - and supported a number of recommendations of - the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) July 2007

 

Europe

• Learning the lessons from abroad

  8 July 2008

  Network briefing by Tim Brown explores the UK’s track record of transferring policy ideas from other countries to Britain

 

Homelessness

• Statutory homelessness

  11 March 2010

  4th quarter (October to December) 2009, England

• Decrease in homelessness continues

  11 March 2010

  New statistics show 72% reduction

• Devolution’s impact on low-income people and places

  15 January 2010

  Round-up and a series of reports from Joseph Rowntree explore trends in social and economic disadvantage as well as policy developments in four areas: housing and homelessness, employment, neighbourhood regeneration and long-term care for older people

• Recording Homelessness Prevention and relief at E10 of the P1E Quarterly Return

  17 December 2009

  Further guidance for local housing authorities

• P1E Guidance: Homelessness Prevention and Relief

  17 December 2009

  Recording cases where positive action is taken to prevent or relieve homelessness

• Statutory Homelessness

  11 December 2009

  3rd Quarter (July to September) 2009, England

• No One Left Out: communities ending rough sleeping

  27 November 2009

  CLG annual progress report: November 2008 - November 2009

• Working Hostels: Models of Provision

  27 November 2009

  CLG report

• New homelessness statistics show 130,000 saved from homelessness

  26 November 2009

  Statistics now released show that in one year alone (2008-09), 130,000 households in England were prevented from becoming homeless or helped to find alternative accommodation by their local council

• Adding meaning to 'reasonable to continue to occupy'

  24 November 2009

  Network briefing by Tim Horsley

• Preventing repossessions Fact sheet

  13 November 2009

  This factsheet summarises the actions that the government has taken to help struggling homeowners avoid losing their home

• Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics

  13 November 2009

  September Quarter 2009

• Repossessions must remain the last resort

  12 November 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has stepped up government efforts to help struggling homeowners get a grip on their finances and avoid the trauma of repossession

• Homelessness prevention and meeting housing need for (ex)offenders: A guide to practice

  2 November 2009

  This guide aims to assist those who work with (ex)offenders to help prevent them from becoming homeless

• Statutory Homelessness: 2nd Quarter (April to June) 2009, England

  11 September 2009

  The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for April to June 2009

• Ending Rough Sleeping by 2012: A Self Assessment Health Check

  11 September 2009

  Self assessment toolkit for local authorities to review with partners, what arrangements, interventions and services are in place and to assess their current capability to prevent and respond to existing levels of rough sleeping, and explore the need for additional interventions or a separate rough sleeping strategy

• Rough Sleeping England

  11 September 2009

  Total Street Count 2009

• No One Left Out: Communities ending rough sleeping - Good Practice Notes: Developing a strategic response to prevent and tackle rough sleeping

  11 September 2009

  CLG guidance notes which are intended for local authorities who may traditionally not have experienced high numbers of people sleeping rough, or have in place significant levels of specialist provision, but who still need to adopt a strategic response to preventing rough sleeping

• Homelessness figures down 32%

  11 September 2009

  National statistics released show that the number of households accepted as being owed a main homelessness duty is down 32% from the same time last year

• HQN annual conference

  25 August 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray details each of the presentations at this year's HQN annual conference

• Lender repossession of residential property: protection of tenants

  6 August 2009

  CLG consultation paper on how legislation might be changed to entitle certain unauthorised tenants to two months' notice if they have to leave after landlord mortgage default and lender repossession. Consultation closes 14 October 2009

• Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities: Supplementary Guidance on Intentional Homelessness

  6 August 2009

  CLG guidance on how local housing authorities should exercise their homelessness functions when considering whether applicants who are homeless, having lost their home because of difficulties in meeting mortgage commitments, are intentionally or unintentionally homeless

• New plan to tackle homelessness unveiled

  17 July 2009

  The Welsh Assembly Government’s new Ten Year Homelessness Plan has been unveiled by the Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies

• Number of households accepted as homeless down by more than a quarter

  12 June 2009

  New national figures released today show the number of people accepted as homeless by local authorities is down 26% from the same time last year

• Statutory Homelessness: 1st Quarter (January to March) 2009, England

  12 June 2009

  The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the first quarter (January to March) 2009

• State of the nation: homelessness

  10 June 2009

  Network briefing by Sheila Spencer which provides organisations with a round-up of the key issues for local authorities and housing providers when planning how best to prevent and respond to homelessness

  Additional files:

  • Elected member summary

• Forty per cent fewer homeless young people in bed and breakfast

  12 March 2009

  National figures released today show that the number of vulnerable young 16 and 17 year olds being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation has fallen by 40% over the last year

• Statutory Homelessness: 4th Quarter (October to December) 2008, England

  12 March 2009

  The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the fourth quarter (October to December) 2008

• Homelessness Legislation: Commencement of Section 314 of, and Schedule 15 to, the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008

  5 March 2009

  This letter informs local housing authorities in England that the government intends to commence section 314 of, and Schedule 15 to, the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 on 2 March 2009. This will remedy the incompatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights of section 185(4) of the Housing Act 1996, (a provision of the homelessness legislation)

• The government’s new rough sleeping strategy: No One Left Out – a new goal to end rough sleeping

  22 December 2008

  Network briefing by Sheila Spencer looks at what's new in this strategy, what is planned and the role of local authorities and their partners

• Rough sleeping in London

  16 December 2008

  Speech by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

• Homelessness numbers down by 60%

  11 December 2008

  National statistics released, show that the number of households accepted as homeless has been cut by 60% since 2003

• Statutory Homelessness: 3rd Quarter (July to September) 2008, England

  11 December 2008

  The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the third quarter (July to September) 2008 have now been released under arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority

• Allocations policies: effective practice to prevent homelessness

  26 November 2008

  Speech by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

• Rough Sleeping 10 Years On: From the streets to independent living and opportunity: Analysis of responses to discussion paper - Executive Summary

  21 November 2008

  In April 2008 Communities and Local Government published the discussion paper Rough Sleeping 10 years on: From the streets to independent living and opportunity, to inform development of an updated government strategy. These documents report on the responses CLG received to this discussion paper

• No-one left out: Ending Rough Sleeping by 2012

  20 November 2008

  Speech by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

• No One Left Out – Communities ending rough sleeping

  18 November 2008

  Rough sleeping numbers have been driven down over the last decade and have stayed down due to concerted efforts across government, the voluntary sector and community action. This strategy seeks to go even further and help end rough sleeping for good

• New goal to end rough sleeping

  18 November 2008

  A major new drive to end rough sleeping by 2012 has been announced by the government. Rough sleeping numbers have been driven down over the last decade and have stayed down due to concerted efforts across government, the voluntary sector and community action, but the government is calling on everyone to go even further and help end rough sleeping for good

• Ten year plan to tackle homelessness in Wales announced

  14 November 2008

  The Welsh Assembly Government has unveiled its ten-year plan to reduce homelessness in Wales. The plan aims to prevent people from becoming homeless and to improve the accommodation and services provided for people who lose their homes

• Statutory Homelessness: second quarter (April - June) 2008, England

  11 September 2008

  The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the second quarter (April to June) 2008 have now been released

• Mortgage and Landlord Possession Statistics

  26 August 2008

  Ministry of Justice updated national and regional figures up to second quarter of 2008

• The Socially Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement

  12 August 2008

  Network briefing by Bill Hewlett explores how the government is taking action through the Socially Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement

• Temporary accommodation numbers continue to fall as new figures revealed

  13 June 2008

  Homelessness Minister Iain Wright today praised the achievements of local authorities as new figures revealed that the numbers of households in temporary accommodation fell by 11% in comparison to the same period last year

• From homelessness to business success - winners announced of national competition

  13 June 2008

  Getting back to nature on the farm, increased pedal power and catering for hundreds of people were just some of the winning ideas from homeless organisations that won part of a £500,000 prize to make their business ideas a reality, as announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright

• Statutory Homelessness: 1st Quarter (January - March) 2008, England

  13 June 2008

  The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the first quarter (January to March) 2008

• £9.6m more to change homeless hostels into places of opportunity

  11 June 2008

  An extra £9.6m to help rough sleepers make a permanent move away from the streets has been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Joint working between Housing and Children’s Services: Preventing homelessness and tackling its effects on children and young people

  12 May 2008

  The purpose of this guide is to help the managers of Children's Services and Housing Authorities in both single tier and two tier authorities to plan and deliver changes for children, young people and families. It is aimed at senior managers in housing and children's services

• Youth homelessness in the UK: A decade of progress?

  12 May 2008

  A Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust evaluation of the progress being made to address youth homelessness in the UK

• More ‘buddy’ mentors to reduce youth homelessness

  12 May 2008

  A new drive to 'buddy up' young people with positive role models to help prevent youth homelessness has been announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright

• Rough sleeping 10 years on: From the streets to independent living and opportunity

  9 April 2008

  Discussion paper to set out initial thinking and to gain views to help inform the development of a new strategy for tackling rough sleeping

• New action plan to tackle persistent rough sleeping

  9 April 2008

  A new ambition for all hostels to provide access to support, training and employment within the next three years to help end persistent rough sleeping is announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright

• Homelessness Action Team extended for another year

  8 April 2008

  The Housing Corporation announces that the Homelessness Action Team, the joint project between the Housing Corporation and Communities and Local Government, has been extended for another 12 months to the end of March 2009 due to the success of its first year's work
  
  The team's main aim is to reduce homelessness and the number of households in temporary accommodation, contributing to the Government target to halve this figure by 2010, and to disseminate best practice

• Statutory Homelessness in England: The Experience of Families and 16-17 Year Olds - Homelessness Research Summary Number 7, 2008

  28 March 2008

  The summary presents the key findings of a major survey of homeless families and 16-17 year olds. The survey investigated the characteristics of homeless households and the causes of their homelessness. It also investigated their experience of living in temporary accommodation, and the impacts of statutory homelessness and living in temporary accommodation on their health, welfare and well-being

 

Private rented sector

• Clarifying when an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required on the sale or letting of buildings

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• Proposals for requiring Energy Performance Certificate ratings to be displayed on all property advertisements

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• Requiring Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• Housing Affordability: A fuller picture

  16 February 2010

  NHPAU has developed three new affordability indicators to show the ability to access home ownership and the affordability of maintaining a mortgage or renting in the private sector

• Evaluating requirements for market and affordable housing

  16 February 2010

  NHPAU report examines some key issues in assessing affordability of house prices and private rents

• The private rented sector: professionalism and quality – consultation

  4 February 2010

  Summary of responses and next steps

• New practical help and protection for tenants in privately rented homes

  4 February 2010

  The moves will help tenants find safer and better homes for rent and offer extra support if they face problems with their landlords or accommodation

• General consents for licensing schemes under Parts 2 and 3 of the Housing Act 2004

  27 January 2010

  Consultation closing date 12 March 2010

• Houses in multiple occupation and possible planning responses: consultation

  27 January 2010

  Summary of Responses

• Local powers for councils to protect communities and improve standards in the private rented sector

  27 January 2010

  Housing and Planning Minister John Healey has announced new local powers to control the spread of high concentrations of shared rented homes and to tackle pockets of unsafe and substandard accommodation run by bad landlords

• The private rented sector: the purpose and impact of recent consultations for housing professionals

  23 July 2009

  Network briefing by Kirsten Firth outlines the proposals put forward, identifies issues for housing professionals and will also assist you to respond to each of the consultations

• Appetite for new investment opportunity confirmed by expressions of interest

  12 June 2009

  A new initiative which could see hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new investment into the private rented housing sector has received 64 expressions of interest, the Homes and Communities Agency have announced

• Impact Assessment of regulation of letting and management agents by an independent body

  4 June 2009

  This Impact Assessment covers the key regulatory proposal in the government's response to the Rugg Review, for the regulation of letting and managment agents by an independent body

• Impact Assessment of a national register for landlords

  4 June 2009

  This Impact Assessment covers the key regulatory proposal in the government's response to the Rugg Review, for a national register of private sector landlords

• The private rented sector: professionalism and quality - The government response to the Rugg Review Consultation

  14 May 2009

  In January 2008, the government commissioned the Rugg review to carry out an independent review of the private rented sector. The Review's findings, set out six 'policy directions of travel' of how to raise standards and professionalism in the sector. This paper sets out the government's response and also takes into account the related recommendations made by the Law Commission

• Houses in multiple occupation and possible planning responses: Consultation

  14 May 2009

  A consultation document seeking views on three options for addressing the impact of high concentrations of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Consultation closes 7 August 2009

• Real help for tenants - Margaret Beckett

  14 May 2009

  A major new package of measures to strengthen consumer protections for tenants living in private rented accommodation has been announced by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett

• Government Response to the Killian Pretty Review

  5 March 2009

  This document sets out the government's response to the Killian Pretty Review Final Report

• National Landlords' Association

  4 December 2008

  Speech by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

• The Private Rented Sector – its contribution and potential (The Rugg Review)

  25 November 2008

  Network briefing by Kirsten Firth looks in detail at the Rugg review and examines the implications for Housing Quality Network members

• Bringing private sector empty homes back into use

  18 November 2008

  Network briefing by Kirsten Firth, looks at how private sector empty homes can be brought back into use – including failed private rented properties, abandoned properties, and surplus buy-to-let flats

• Creating a less risky rental market for Landlords and Tenants

  24 October 2008

  Major recommendations to improve the Private Rented Sector for both tenants and landlords have been published today in an independent review into the Private Rented Sector (PRS), headed by Julie Rugg of the University of York

• New report tackles neighbourhood studentification problem

  29 September 2008

  A new CLG report that identifies ways to help councils manage high concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) has been published by Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint

• Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee's report: The Supply of Rented Housing

  22 September 2008

  This CLG report contains the government responses to 66 recommendations made by the CLG Select Committee in areas of housing

• Law Commission: Housing – Encouraging responsible letting

  3 September 2008

  This report completes the Law Commission’s major programme of work on the reform and modernisation of housing law and practice

• Housing: Encouraging Responsible Letting

  22 August 2008

  Law Commission project, around work previously carried out on housing law reform and tribunals, which aims to identify and address regulatory challenges in the private rented sector

• Making better use of the private rented sector

  25 July 2008

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen explores how the PRS can provide a much greater role in meeting housing need and demand across the UK

• The Pomeroy Review of Prospects for Private Sector Shared Equity: Summary of Conclusions

  17 July 2008

  A review into the future of the private shared equity market was commissioned by Communities and Local Government in July 2007 in order to follow up the conclusions of the Shared Equity Task Force (SETF) which reported to the Department in December 2006

• Energy performance certificates for dwellings in the social and private rented sectors: A guide for landlords

  30 June 2008

  This publication provides guidance to landlords in the social and private rented sectors understand their responsilbity for making Energy Performance Certificates available when renting a property

• In brief: Raising the stakes – promoting extra care housing

  1 May 2008

  Housing Corporation report on a project which aimed to clarify what comprises ‘extra care’ for older people and to establish shared standards for provision

• New review to help people living in Houses in Multiple Occupation

  9 April 2008

  A new review aimed at improving the management and conditions of people living in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) has been launched by Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint

• English House Condition Survey 2006:Private Landlords Survey

  9 April 2008

  Key information on the private rented sector derived from the Private Landlords Survey (PLS), updating previous 2003 findings to 2006

• £885m of tenants' cash safeguarded

  2 April 2008

  Nearly £900m of tenants' deposits has been safeguarded under the Government's tenancy deposit protection scheme in its first year, new figures show.

 

PIs

• Analysis of English local authority housing management performance 2008/09

  19 February 2010

  Performance continues to improve but management costs are rising and tenant satisfaction levels are stalled

• Analysis of 2008/09 TSA performance indicators for housing associations in England

  1 February 2010

  Network briefing by Clive Hall

• Updated strategic approach to housing KLOE for use from 12 April 2010

  21 January 2010

  The key lines of enquiry (KLOE) and the descriptors and evidence documents below are for use on inspections that are on-site from the week commencing 12 April 2010

• Performance Indicators 2009

  2 December 2009

  The 2009 PI results for associations, together with a range of additional information and comparative 2008 and 2007 results

• Analysis of 2007/08 Housing Corporation performance indicators for housing associations in England

  4 September 2009

  Network briefing by Clive Hall which compares the median scores for a group of performance indicators (PIs) collected by the Housing Corporation (HC) for 2007/08. It divides the results by class of association and, where possible, compares the results to those of earlier years

• The strategic approach to housing – consultation on a new Key Line of Enquiry

  1 September 2009

  Network briefing paper by Gill Leng, Executive Director highlights the changes in the approach and focus proposed by the Audit Commission and other changes HQN feels are significant for local authorities and their partners

• Is there something I should know?

  6 August 2009

  Audit Commission report for council chief executives, senior officers and lead members on making better use of information to make decisions. Includes self-assessment framework and toolkit to help drive improvement

• Analysis of English local authority housing management performance 2007/08

  19 February 2009

  The latest briefing in our annual series of performance indicator analyses by Hal Pawson

• Analysis of 2006/07 Housing Corporation performance indicators for housing associations in England

  16 October 2008

  Network briefing by Clive Hall and Doug Edmonds, shows continuing improvements in void management and rent collection

• Revised performance indicator handbook for housing associations

  14 November 2007

  The handbook has been revised, updated and new material written by HQN Associate John Wheeldon

 

Governance

• Strengthening Local Democracy

  9 February 2010

  Summary of responses

• Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill

  4 February 2010

  Impact assessment

• The TSA's proposed governance standard

  3 February 2010

  Network briefing by Steve Wood

• Making the most of information resources

  15 October 2009

  Network briefing paper by Margaret Gibson looks at how organisations can be far more effective in their use of intelligence to inform decision-making and to support strong governance and leadership

• Cross-domain regulation

  8 October 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray looks at how the government proposes LAs should be regulated by the TSA

• Strengthening local democracy

  21 July 2009

  This consultation explores whether local government has the powers it needs to meet today's challenges, as part of the government's drive to renew Britain's democracy and build trust in the political system at all levels. Consultation closes 2 October 2009

• To see ourselves as others see us - but first

  22 June 2009

  How good is your board? Test yourself in our quick online quiz for board members. Follow the link to our HQN governance self-assessment toolkit with a foreword from Peter Marsh of the TSA

• Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)

  11 December 2008

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen highlights the pros and cons of CPOs, summarises their legal basis and alerts HQN members to good practice in the use of CPOs

• Blears – next steps in delivering parish power

  18 November 2008

  Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today outlined plans to encourage new town and parish councils to be set up so that more decision-making powers are devolved to local people, and said she particularly wanted to see more set up in urban areas

• HQN consultancy services: Good governance - why it matters

  13 October 2008

  HQN is the largest consultancy in the UK focused exclusively on the social housing sector. If you want to make a real improvement to your governance arrangements or simply want to check how well you're doing in relation to the sector's best, our team can help

 

Supporting People

• How can we make the housing market more stable for vulnerable households?

  8 March 2010

  Joseph Rowntree Foundation Report

• Under pressure – Tackling the financial challenge for councils of an ageing population

  18 February 2010

  Audit Commission report on the financial challenge posed by England's ageing population and the need to innovate and save as the number of older people increases each year

• Government Response to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee Report into the Supporting People Programme

  18 January 2010

  The government's formal response to the recommendations in the Select Committee's Report on the Supporting People Programme

• Personalisation and individual budgets: challenge or opportunity?

  10 November 2009

  Network briefing by Helena Taylor Knox

• Identifying a fairer system for funding adult social care

  12 October 2009

  The recent Green Paper shows that the government has moved on from previous statements on adult social care – but it still lacks important detail, particularly on funding options, this Joseph Rowntree report evaluates the Paper

• Balanced Scorecard for Outreach Services: Report on Pilot Project

  11 September 2009

  The Outreach Balanced Scorecard has been commissioned by CLG, London Borough of Southwark and Thames Reach. It aims to provide local authority commissioners with a framework through which they can assess the quality and effectiveness of local outreach services

• Supporting People financial benefits model documentation and user guide

  9 July 2009

  The purpose of this document is to explain the logic behind, and form a user guide for, the Supporting People local financial benefits model built by Capgemini for the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG)

• Ministerial working group on sheltered housing

  7 July 2009

  The working group was convened by the department in early 2009 to identify ways to make a positive difference to the lives of people living in sheltered housing, now and in the future

• Research into the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme 2009

  7 July 2009

  Communities and Local Government study to assess the financial benefits of the Supporting People programme

• Housing support programme saves other services £3.41 billion

  7 July 2009

  A new independent report has found that a government programme to provide housing support to vulnerable and homeless people has led to significant savings in the cost of other services

• LinkAge Plus: Capacity building – enabling and empowering older people as independent and active citizens

  9 April 2009

  DWP report evaluating a pilot of LinkAge Plus, a programme that has brought local authorities together with their partners in health and the voluntary and community sector to find innovative ways to break down traditional organisational and financial barriers and to join up services for older people

• Minister announces 2009-10 Disabled Facilities Grant local authority allocation

  10 December 2008

  Housing Minister Baroness Andrews today announced how much funding each local authority will get to help disabled and older people stay in their homes through the Disabled Facilities Grant Programme. The government is making £157m available to local authorities in England for 2009-10 through the programme, with over 230 local authorities receiving an increase

• Flexibility to deliver for vulnerable people

  28 November 2008

  Communities Minister Baroness Andrews has confirmed that councils in England are to receive £1.66 billion Supporting People Programme Grant funding - as an unringfenced named grant

• Disabled adaptations - the current agenda

  30 October 2008

  Complimentary SEN briefing by Vanessa Morton provides a detailed overview of the main policy agenda which is likely to frame the way in which adaptations are currently delivered and how they will be delivered in the future

• Making a difference: Supported lodgings as a housing option for young people

  1 October 2008

  The aim of this guide is to inform and support local authorities' planning and commissioning of supported lodgings within the context of strategies to tackle youth homelessness. It is based on a review of supported lodgings services in 17 local authority areas in England, and of data collected through the Supporting People programme

• Calculating the cost of efficient care homes

  18 September 2008

  This study refines the formula published by the JRF in 2002 (revised 2004) for calculating reasonable fees, based on the operating costs of efficient care homes for older people in England. Using 2008 benchmarks, the study guides users through its associated spreadsheet and advises on modifications to reflect local market conditions

• Designing the future - Lifetime Homes

  21 August 2008

  This complimentary ACEnet briefing for Network members by Lynn Watson of Habinteg Housing Association sets out the background to Lifetime Homes, describes the criteria in some detail and evaluates the success of the concept of Lifetime Homes since its development in the early 1990s

• In Focus: Putting people first: Equality and diversity matters 2

  6 August 2008

  The Commission for Social Care Inspection have issued this bulletin, which aims to address the needs of black and minority ethnic people using care services. It calls for black and minority ethnic people to have their cultural and social needs addressed on a more personal level, which will help to ensure that their specific needs are adequately considered during assessments by care homes and providers

• Needs Analysis - Commissioning and Procurement for Housing Related Support

  17 July 2008

  This guide is intended for local authorities and their partners. It is particularly aimed at commissioners of housing-related support, adult services, health, and probation projects

• Towards an ageing society

  5 June 2008

  Housing Corporation final evaluation report of the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust's housing programme for older people

• In brief: Raising the stakes – promoting extra care housing

  1 May 2008

  Housing Corporation report on a project which aimed to clarify what comprises ‘extra care’ for older people and to establish shared standards for provision

• Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A national strategy for housing in an ageing society

  25 April 2008

  Network briefing by Hazel Summers outlines the key elements and implications of the national strategy for housing in an ageing society

• The Independent Living Strategy

  8 April 2008

  Network briefing by Joanna Jeffery and Richard Seager explores the Independent Living Strategy and its impact for service providers

• Research into the effectiveness of floating support services for the Supporting People programme: Final Report

  2 April 2008

  This review was commissioned in order to better understand the effectiveness of floating support services, and the balance needed between floating support and accommodation based services in order to improve service delivery and choice and control for service users

 

HA regulation

• Responses to the second stage of TSA National Conversation

  9 October 2009

  First set of formal responses to TSA discussion paper. More will follow shortly and a report on the feedback will also be available in October

• Cross-domain regulation

  8 October 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray looks at how the government proposes LAs should be regulated by the TSA

 

Other policy developments

• Support for All: the Families and Relationships Green Paper

  9 March 2010

  Network briefing by Tim Horsley

• Policy Statement on Regional Strategies: Consultation

  4 March 2010

  Summary of responses

• Consultation on proposed changes to the National Statistics on household projections

  1 March 2010

  Seeks users views on changes to National Statistics outputs on household projections

• English Housing Survey

  24 February 2010

  Headline Report 2008-09

• Cycles of poverty, unemployment and low pay

  10 February 2010

  Joseph Rowntree roundup

• Overall employment rate

  9 February 2010

  Working age population at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas), England

• Understanding the value and benefits of establishing a local information system

  29 January 2010

  CLG report which provides evidence for local partnerships on the costs, savings and other benefits of establishing a local information system

• Citizenship Survey

  29 January 2010

  April - September 2009, England

• Could online marketplaces tackle poverty?

  28 January 2010

  Joseph Rowntree publication

• Violence against women and girls

  28 January 2010

  Network briefing by Tim Horsley

• Councils shouldn't cut out third sector in efficiency drive

  27 January 2010

  Councils should consider the unique skills and benefits the third sector has to offer when improving local public services

• New task force to drive value for money for councils

  31 December 2009

  A new local government task force will drive value for money efficiencies and protect frontline services. To meet tight spending controls, councils must prioritise frontline services through leaner back offices with fewer bureaucratic jobs, greater shared services and the promotion of innovative procurement and asset use. The task force will report in February

• Councils to set out road to recovery

  24 December 2009

  Councils must give their area an 'economic healthcheck' to work out what needs to be done to get them on the road to recovery, Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton announced

• Tackling unlawful subletting and other tenancy fraud

  22 December 2009

  Network briefing by Neil Merrick

• Social Lettings Tables

  18 December 2009

  Adjusted for missing local authority landlord data - 2008/09

• State of the Cities Database indicator updates

  18 December 2009

  The indicators listed below from the State of the Cities Database, have been updated with new data

• Tackling worklessness together

  15 December 2009

  Speech by The Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP, Minister for Local Government and Regional Minister for Yorkshire and Humber

• State of the Nation 2009: A reality check

  15 December 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray

• National fraud initiative

  3 December 2009

  2010/11 proposed work programme and scale of fees

• Topping the charts: a look at best companies schemes

  26 November 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray

• Street cleanliness in deprived and better-off neighbourhoods

  25 November 2009

  Joseph Rowntree study into why affluent neighbourhoods tend to have higher levels of street cleanliness than deprived neighbourhoods and what local authorities can do to narrow this gap

• Shortlist for new public sector awards scheme

  25 November 2009

  Councils and their partners from across the country are going head to head in a new government scheme designed to find the public sector's brightest ideas

• Older people's vision for long term care

  18 November 2009

  Highlighting what older people in care homes want and need

• New fuel poverty plan to target the most vulnerable

  10 November 2009

  The creation of a new central hub to coordinate all the help available for householders struggling to pay their energy bills is one of the proposals put forward in the Welsh Assembly Government’s new fuel poverty plan

• Overall Employment rate (working age population) at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas), England

  10 November 2009

  The release covers the latest data for the most deprived areas in Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) areas and the rest of England

• Nothing but the truth?

  6 November 2009

  This paper sets out important issues as the basis for discussion on how to ensure data about local public services is fit for purpose

• Work and worklessness in deprived neighbourhoods

  28 October 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study contrasts policy assumptions about work and worklessness with the personal experiences of residents living in deprived neighbourhoods

• Poorest communities remain forgotten post-recession: lessons need to be learnt

  23 October 2009

  The first ever analysis of the impact of recession on local communities over the past 30 years, conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), reveals that many deprived communities struggle before, during and after recessions, and even during periods of economic growth

• Creating a stronger information, advice and advocacy system for older people

  20 October 2009

  Joseph Rowntree paper which highlights recent work in Newcastle by the Quality of Life Partnership that's developed ways of working with existing systems to make them more 'older person friendly', efficient, and effective for all concerned

• Making the most of information resources

  15 October 2009

  Network briefing paper by Margaret Gibson looks at how organisations can be far more effective in their use of intelligence to inform decision-making and to support strong governance and leadership

• Engaging public support for eradicating UK poverty

  24 September 2009

  Joseph Rowntree report which examines attitudes to poverty, what influences them, and ways to build public support for anti-poverty measures

• Survey shows public want councils to take charge

  24 September 2009

  A major new national survey on what people think of their local area and council demonstrates the importance of strengthening local democracy, said Communities Secretary John Denham

• Place Survey 2008, England

  24 September 2009

  Further results

• Place Survey

  8 September 2009

  England - Headline Results 2008 (Revised)

• Poverty, inequality and human rights

  3 September 2009

  Joseph Rowntree report about how other countries have used human rights to tackle poverty and how this could be applied in the UK

• Pioneering councils named to drive forward innovative Integrated Family Support Teams

  26 August 2009

  The three areas chosen to pioneer a new innovative scheme to strengthen support for vulnerable children and families in Wales have been named by the Welsh Assembly Government

• Work starts on new primary school in Telford

  24 August 2009

  Work has begun on the building of a new primary school in Telford to serve Lightmoor Village - an 800 home new community being developed in partnership by the Homes and Communities Agency, Bournville Village Trust, Telford & Wrekin Council and private developers

• Assessments of parenting and parenting support need

  12 August 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study looks at how a range of health, education and family practitioners make their assessments of parenting and parenting support need

• Denham announces successful projects to support communities in promoting race equality

  23 July 2009

  A £9m Tackling Race Inequality Fund (TRIF) to address discrimination and underachievement has been announced by Communities Secretary John Denham

• Citizenship Survey: April 2008 - March 2009, England

  17 July 2009

  The latest national statistics from the Citizenship Survey produced by Communities and Local Government

• Rosie Winterton: Councils leading economic development will get our support

  17 July 2009

  Councils that have proved they can help businesses in their local area grow will get a share of an extra £100m from government

• House Price Index

  14 July 2009

  May 2009

• Risks of infection at work

  14 July 2009

  Complimentary SAFETYnet briefing, by Morag Brown, which covers a very topical issue, taking a look at 'risks from infections' giving you some things to think about, along with links for you to find more information if you require

• Denham announces successful projects to support communities with migration

  9 July 2009

  A £70m Migration Impacts Fund, financed by a levy on migrants, will be used to tackle illegal working practices and reduce local pressure on public services, Communities Secretary John Denham has announced

• Councils gain new powers to increase prosperity

  6 July 2009

  Councils have been given a real boost to help secure the long-term economic prosperity of their communities with the Royal Assent of the Business Rate Supplements Act. The Act provides county councils, unitary district councils and, in London, the Greater London Authority with a new discretionary power to raise a supplement on the business rate and retain those funds to support additional projects aimed at economic development

• A minimum income standard for Britain in 2009

  3 July 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study updates 2008’s innovative research, based on what members of the public thought people need for an acceptable minimum standard of living

• HQN briefing on the Equality Bill and the Equality Framework for Local Government

  30 June 2009

  Network briefing by Joanna Jeffery and Richard Seager sets out the main points of the bill with relevance to social landlords, such as the new public duty to promote equality for all the six diversity strands as well as a new duty to take account of the need to tackle socio-economic disadvantage in strategic planning

• What is needed to end child poverty in Wales?

  25 June 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study discusses progress made in Wales to end child poverty, and suggests what the Welsh Assembly Government could do to reach the 2020 target

• Place Survey: England - Headline Results 2008

  25 June 2009

  The 2008 Place Survey provides information on people's perceptions of their local area and the local services they receive. This release summarises the headline findings for England and Government Office regions with results for individual local authorities shown in the accompanying tables

• John Denham: Making every pound work harder

  25 June 2009

  Responsive and effective local councils will be key to giving taxpayers real value for money, Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham has said

• Survey signals time to strengthen local government

  25 June 2009

  A major new national survey on what people think of their local area and council demonstrates the importance of renewing local democracy, said Communities Secretary John Denham

• Room for improvement: a review of strategic asset management

  22 June 2009

  This report follows up on the Audit Commission report Hot Property (2000), and reveals that councils have made only modest progress in improving the management of their estate - worth an estimated £250 billion in 2008 - over the last ten years. The report also finds central government partly to blame, by sending local government mixed messages: calling on councils to rationalise assets, to improve buildings and offices, and to share assets with the community

• Growing up in social housing in Britain: A profile of four generations from 1946 to the present day

  19 June 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study describes how housing for families has changed over time and explores the relationship between social housing, family circumstances and the 'adult outcomes' for children who grew up in social housing – ie, their experiences when they are adults

• Getting it right, and righting the wrongs

  17 June 2009

  Communities Minister Shahid Malik has called on all local councils to get it right first time to ensure the public receive the modern service they expect

• Domestic abuse and older adults: what should housing providers be doing?

  3 June 2009

  Complimentary ACEnet briefing by Helena Taylor Knox on the difficult subject of domestic abuse

• Councils to lead job creation plans

  19 May 2009

  Councils must be 'fully focused' on providing job creation programmes said Local Government Minister John Healey and Employment Minister Tony McNulty in response to a key economic report

• Building Britain's future - Social enterprise to be part of £1 billion job creation drive

  14 May 2009

  Social enterprises must play their part in tackling the economic downturn by creating at least 15,000 new jobs for the unemployed, funded by the government's £1 billion Future Jobs Fund, announced Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell

• Delivering Digital Inclusion: Summary of consultation responses

  29 April 2009

  This report contains the findings from the analysis of the consultation

• Home and Community Energy Advisors

  17 April 2009

  Notice by CLG that adverts for courses relating to Home Energy Advisors and Community Energy Advisers are premature. National Occupational Standards are being developed and there is currently a consultation exercise running for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) initiative and the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP). It will not be possible to finalise the role of these advisers and the qualification until after the consultation exercise has been concluded

• Overcoming poverty and its links to place

  8 April 2009

  Network briefing paper, by Chris Bowen, explains the background to poverty and social mobility and how various factors influence people’s ability to achieve their full potential in life

• Councils to develop new ways to keep their citizens better informed

  7 April 2009

  A mix of councils in rural and urban areas are sharing £620,000 to pilot schemes that provide better local information for an estimated one million people, ranging from crime maps in Gloucestershire to a website for parents and carers of disabled children in Cambridgeshire
  
  Chapter 3 of the 2008 White Paper, Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power, published in July 2008, set out how the government would help local authorities to provide better information to their citizens on local services, performance and opportunities to get involved in their local areas. The Timely Information to Citizens project was set up to take this forward
  
  A second round of pilots will be announced in May. The majority of pilots are expected to be up and running by summer 2009 and will be subjected to an independent evaluation which will report in 2010, feeding back the lessons learnt into the good practice toolkit for the benefit of other local authorities

• Blears announces funding for successful projects that will give people a real say

  1 April 2009

  Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced successful third sector organisations - charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises - which are to share multi million funding for projects helping to give people a real say in their communities

• Over three million people to benefit from historic council overhaul

  1 April 2009

  The biggest shake-up in local democracy in one single day since the seventies, has now taken place - when 44 councils will be replaced by just nine serving over 3m residents

• Workforce development plan

  31 March 2009

  Network briefing by Bill Fullen and Jennifer Aston looks in detail at the fundamental issues, which are key to the development of successful workforce planning

• John Healey - Council overhaul will improve quality of life for communities

  30 March 2009

  Local Government Minister John Healey says that nine new unitary councils 'going live' in a week's time will improve the quality of life for over three million people

• Government delivers £170m transport funding for new housing

  30 March 2009

  £170m of funding has been allocated to 29 transport projects that will support the development of new housing

• Why the bits between the buildings matter

  25 March 2009

  Speech by The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Housing and Planning

• Safeguarding children: how can the housing sector address the issues of ‘Baby P?’

  17 March 2009

  Network briefing by Sandra H Knox explains how housing services, and particularly social landlords, are uniquely positioned to provide information, support and expertise in the prevention of abuse of children

  Additional files:

  • Word version for completion purposes

• Consultation response: 'Ending child poverty: Making it happen'

  12 March 2009

  Joseph Rowntree response to the Department for Children, Schools and Families consultation 'Ending child poverty: Making it happen'

• Fuel poverty

  24 February 2009

  Network briefing by Maria Wardrobe explores the issues surrounding fuel poverty

• Power to promote well-being of the area: Statutory guidance for local councils

  19 February 2009

  This guidance is aimed at English local councils (parish, town, village, neighbourhood, and community councils) and discusses the extension to eligible local councils of the power to promote or improve economic, social, or environmental well-being (colloquially known as the 'well-being power')

• Social housing, the financial crisis and government housing initiatives

  3 February 2009

  Network briefing paper by Colin Armstrong considers the impact the crisis has had on social housing providers in England and the implications of interventions made by the UK government in response to the crisis

• Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill: Policy Document on Regional Strategies

  27 January 2009

• Towards zero carbon housing

  22 January 2009

  Network briefing paper by Ann Bodkin covers the need for change, the policies and step changes which government has brought in through legislation, with examples of new build schemes and improvements to existing housing stock to reduce carbon emissions

• Gypsies and Traveller accommodation – an update

  6 January 2009

  Network briefing by Vanessa Morton, provides an update on the developing frameworks around Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, looks at recent analysis of progress on the ground and highlights the excellent practical toolkits and guidance now available to assist local authorities and housing organisations

• Fair Rules for Strong Communities

  19 December 2008

  A cross-government plan setting out the values and characteristics that ministers believe matter for strong communities. The purpose of the plan is to provide a clear statement of the government's understanding of the issues facing communities and its approach to addressing them

• Fair Rules for Strong Communities

  4 December 2008

  A cross-government plan setting out the values and characteristics that Ministers believe matter for strong communities. The purpose of the plan is to provide a clear statement of the government's understanding of the issues facing communities and its approach to addressing them

• Delivering Succession Strategies

  4 December 2008

  The New Deal for Communities Programme has been the most intensive and enduring area-based initiative aimed at tackling the issues faced by deprived neighbourhoods to date. NDC Partnerships, as they approach the end of the 10-year grant-funded period, are seeking to find sustainable ways to continue supporting change in their neighbourhoods. This research reviews the experiences of case study partnerships in developing appropriate arrangements for succession

• New council powers to boost economic prosperity

  4 December 2008

  The government have introduced and published in Parliament a Bill which will provide new scope for councils and businesses to work together to invest in the long-term economic prosperity of their local communities

• Time and income poverty

  26 November 2008

  Time and money are two key constraints on what people can achieve. The income constraint is widely recognised by policy-makers and social scientists in their concern with poverty. This Joseph Rowntree study looks at individuals who are significantly limited by time and income constraints: those who could escape income poverty only by incurring time poverty, or vice versa

• Strengthening local efforts to tackle economic challenges

  26 November 2008

  The government have announced new powers to tackle the local impacts of the credit crunch. The reforms make it easier for action to be taken at every level to boost jobs and skills, support businesses and make sure that all areas are making plans for recovery from the economic slowdown

• House Building: September Quarter 2008, England

  21 November 2008

  The latest national statistics on house building

• Practical use of the Well-Being Power

  18 November 2008

  This document is based on research commissioned by Communities and Local Government which examined local authorities' take-up and use of the Well-Being Power and the factors which had affected it. It gives practical examples of how the Power has been used and links to further sources of information

• Healey - wellbeing power is forgotten tool in tough economic times

  18 November 2008

  Councils have not used a legal power that could help their area ride out tough economic times, the government have warned. Local Government Minister John Healey, in a letter to council chiefs, urged them to consider using this 'wellbeing power' to support their communities during the current economic climate

• House Price Index - September 2008

  14 November 2008

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• The Working Neighbourhoods Fund 2009-2011: Revising the Third Criterion - Consultation

  4 November 2008

  This CLG publication outlines the government's proposal for revising the third criterion used to determine eligibility for the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF). The revision is necessary following the discovery of further errors in the calculation of this criterion

• Every Child Matters - are we there yet?

  29 October 2008

  The 'children's trusts' created by the government after the death of Victoria Climbie have been confused and confusing, according to an evaluation published by the Audit Commission

• Research on the Costs and Benefits of Personal Data Sharing at Local Partnership Level

  29 October 2008

  This report describes the different types of approaches to personal data sharing found within Local Strategic Partnerships, and explores the factors that can enable and inhibit data sharing initiatives

• Delivering Digital Inclusion: An Action Plan for Consultation

  27 October 2008

  The Action Plan outlines the key issues relating to the use of digital technology and argues why digital exclusion is an increasingly urgent social problem. Consultation closes 19 January 2009

• Estimating the costs of child poverty

  24 October 2008

  Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust report

• Developing and sustaining mixed tenure housing developments

  25 September 2008

  Joseph Rowntree round-up evaluates the strategic and policy context for housing development and neighbourhood renewal

• Giving more people a say in local spending: Participatory budgeting - a national strategy

  15 September 2008

  This strategy sets out an overview of how the government will work towards the ambition for participatory budgeting to be used in every local authority area by 2012

• Local Development Framework and Community Strategies

  27 August 2008

  CLG paper about the relationship between community strategies and Local Development Frameworks (LDFs)

• Evaluation of community strategies

  27 August 2008

  CLG report presenting findings from the case study element evaluation of community strategies. It provides a synthesis of findings from the eight local authorities which are contributing to the main case study element of the evaluation

• Detailed assessment of community strategies

  27 August 2008

  One of a series of CLG research reports from the national evaluation of community strategies as part of its evaluative work on the impact of local government modernisation

• Housing and planning: update on recent changes to the planning system

  26 August 2008

  Network briefing by Suzanne McBride looks at key changes to the planning system since 2004, offering a quick guide to the new system, and considering changes proposed in the Planning Bill (including the Community Infrastructure Levy) and other reviews

• Assessing Neighbourhood-Level Data for Target Setting

  19 August 2008

  This report assesses key small area datasets for target setting, performance monitoring and wider contextual analysis

• Urban Settlement 2001: England and Wales

  19 August 2008

  Statistics based on the Urban Settlements boundaries (England and Wales, 2001) data. These boundaries and the statistics based upon them are collected every ten years following a national census

• Evaluation of Local Public Service Agreements: Final Report

  21 July 2008

  This 4 year study found that Local Public Service Agreements led to improved working practices, new initiatives and wider change in local authorities

• More than the sum of their parts - partnerships seal deal to increase economic growth

  15 July 2008

  Seven groups of councils and local partners are to seal their commitment to boost economic prosperity, in recognition that they can each achieve more than the sum of their parts - in the first set of Multi-Area Agreements (MAAs) which have now been signed

• The Empowerment Fund: Consultation on proposals for funding third sector organisations to empower communities across England

  11 July 2008

  This consultation paper seeks views on a draft of the Empowerment Fund Prospectus which the government intends to issue. This fund will provide support for existing national third sector organisations operating across England to help local communities turn key proposals into practical action on the ground

• Third Sector Partnership Board: Consultation paper on the third sector's strategic voice within Communities and Local Government

  11 July 2008

  Consultation paper on proposals to enhance the Communities and Local Government Third Sector Partnership Board covering its future role and remit, membership and way of working. Consultation closes 30.9.08

• The New Place Survey - Summary of responses to consultation

  8 July 2008

  The Place Survey Consultation Response provides Local Authorities and their Partners feedback to the views conveyed by respondents to various methodological questions regarding the survey and the subsequent actions Communities and Local Government have taken

• Meeting the short and long term challenges

  3 July 2008

  Speech by Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Preparations for digital TV transmission in rented housing

  17 June 2008

  Network briefing by Mike Kelly, Arena Housing, is intended to give an outline of Arena Housing’s experience, so far, in getting an extensive programme of work under way to convert communal TV aerials for digital reception

• Tackling overcrowding

  10 June 2008

  Network briefing paper by Wendy Murphy examines the actions being taken by the five pilot London boroughs, and others, to tackle overcrowding

• Statistical Release: Net supply of housing for England and the regions up 2006-07

  20 March 2008

  This statistical release presents national housing supply trends since the late 1960s and regional supply since 2000-01

• Housing Corporation News Release

  20 March 2008

  Most local authorities have good working relationships with housing associations in their area, finds Corporation survey

• Prospectus 2008: the guide to improvement and efficiency support

  19 March 2008

  CLG prospectus which draws together proposals for simplifying support and providing information on the support available to help local authorities and their partners to deliver outcomes locally

 

Legislation

• Welfare reform summary

  29 January 2009

  Network briefing by Andy Selman is a summary of the government’s White Paper on welfare reform

• Welfare reform

  27 January 2009

  Network briefing by Jamie Ewing examines the ideas set out in the Green Paper on welfare reform published last year

• Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)

  11 December 2008

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen highlights the pros and cons of CPOs, summarises their legal basis and alerts HQN members to good practice in the use of CPOs

• Queen's Speech

  8 December 2008

  Network briefing which summarises the speech and highlights implications for housing providers

• Housing and Regeneration Act

  13 November 2008

  Network briefing by Jamie Ewing explores the implications of the Act for the housing sector

• White Paper delivers power shift to local people

  9 July 2008

  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

• Preparing Britain for the future: The government’s draft legislative agenda 2008/09

  23 June 2008

  Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor which considers the Bills in the draft programme relevant to the social housing sector

• Housing and Regeneration Bill Impact Assessment

  9 April 2008

  Provides a summary of costs and benefits for the provisions within the Housing and Regeneration Bill with evidence and analysis

 

Housing Benefit policy

• The government's Mortgage Rescue scheme

  8 March 2010

  Mortgage to rent

• The DWP's Housing Benefit consultation: Supporting people into work: the next stage of Housing Benefit reform

  11 February 2010

  Network briefing by Sue Beasor

• Cycles of poverty, unemployment and low pay

  10 February 2010

  Joseph Rowntree roundup

• Housing Benefit toolkit for social housing providers

  28 January 2010

  The Network's popular self-assessment toolkit by Sue Beasor

  Additional files:

  • Word version for completion purposes

• Testing Times

  22 December 2009

  Audit Commission report on how the recession has affected benefits services. The report describes key issues and some of the strategies councils are using to lessen the impact of the downturn

• Repossession and mortgage rescue

  27 October 2009

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen

• Comparing taxes and benefits in 1979, 1997 and 2008

  2 September 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study uses 'lifetime simulation' for different income earners to look at the impact of taxes and benefits over time

• Should adult benefit for unemployment now be raised?

  20 April 2009

  A Joseph Rowntree review of arguments for and against raising the value of Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Department for Work and Pensions - Adjudication and operations circulars 2009

  7 April 2009

  This page gives links to all DWP's adjudication and operations circulars for 2009. It is aimed at all housing benefit and council tax benefit staff
  
  The following circular has been added:
  A10/2009: The Social Security (Use of Information for Housing Benefit and Welfare Services Purposes) Regulations 2008

• Questionnaire – new backdating rules for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

  27 February 2009

  This questionnaire is part of our review of the backdating rules for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit introduced in October 2008. It is aimed primarily at people who work for organisations such as welfare rights agencies, local authorities, landlords, housing associations. Consultation closes 31 July 2009

• Welfare reform summary

  29 January 2009

  Network briefing by Andy Selman is a summary of the government’s White Paper on welfare reform

• Welfare reform

  27 January 2009

  Network briefing by Jamie Ewing examines the ideas set out in the Green Paper on welfare reform published last year

• The harder test – the Audit Commission’s fresh approach to benefits inspection

  13 January 2009

  Network briefing by Jeannie Swales and Claire Turner is based on a presentation at HQN’s Your benefit service – the harder test event by Tim Savill, Benefit Policy Lead at the Audit Commission

• Getting ahead of the game, preparing for inspection – what do you need to do? A guide for Housing Benefit staff

  13 January 2009

  Network briefing by Jeannie Swales and Claire Turner covers all elements of Housing Benefit Inspections, including; Understanding what the Audit Commission are looking for, self assessment and generally on how to prepare for a Housing Benefit Inspection

• Implementation of tenant service charges

  18 December 2008

  Network briefing by Tony Huff

• Learning from pilot benefit inspections – web tool

  29 September 2008

  Through the AC inspections they have identified a variety of approaches to delivering benefit services, and have produced a web tool with case studies to share their findings and to encourage innovation and improvement across local government

• The inspection of Housing and Council Tax Benefits (and a reference to the National Fraud Initiative)

  18 September 2008

  Network briefing by Ellis Blackmore looks at the inspection process, how LAs can prepare for inspection and the National Fraud Initiative

• The effects of benefit sanctions on lone parents' employment decisions and moves into employment

  5 August 2008

  This research report presents findings from a qualitative study specifically designed to explore the effects of benefit sanctions on lone parents' employment decisions and moves into employment

• Delivering benefits, tax credits and employment services: Problems for disadvantaged users and potential solutions

  30 June 2008

  Joseph Rowntree review of problems and solutions in the benefit delivery system

• Audit Commission/Benefit Fraud Inspectorate

  14 May 2008

  Why are housing and council tax benefits important to the Audit Commission?

• Benefits KLOE

  14 May 2008

  The benefits KLOE and descriptors set out the areas of inspection focus and criteria for judgement for inspections of housing and council tax benefit by the Audit Commission from 1 April 2008

• The Housing Quality Network revised performance indicator handbook for councils 2008

  18 March 2008

  Part three Housing Benefit performance – based on performance during 2007/8

 

Empty property strategies

• Evaluation of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal

  4 March 2010

  Final report

• Managing empty properties in the social sector

  9 July 2009

  Network briefing paper by Chris Bowen sets out the problem of empty properties in the social housing sector, the potential they offer to increase the supply of affordable housing and the impact that vacant stock has on landlords and neighbourhoods

• Empty homes refurbishment just part of the solution

  25 March 2009

  Refurbishing empty properties to bring them back into use as affordable housing is just one part of the solution to meet housing demand and simultaneously stimulate supply, according to the Homes and Communities Agency

• Margaret Beckett urges councils to take a stand on empty homes

  10 March 2009

  Councils are being given more support to help them bring empty homes back in to use in the current economic climate, announced Housing Minister Margaret Beckett

• Application of Discretionary Council Tax Powers for Empty Homes

  23 January 2009

  This CLG study investigates the impact that the discretionary application of the 50% Council Tax discount on empty homes is having on bringing such properties back into use

• Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)

  11 December 2008

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen highlights the pros and cons of CPOs, summarises their legal basis and alerts HQN members to good practice in the use of CPOs

• Bringing private sector empty homes back into use

  18 November 2008

  Network briefing by Kirsten Firth, looks at how private sector empty homes can be brought back into use – including failed private rented properties, abandoned properties, and surplus buy-to-let flats

• Energy performance of buildings

  6 October 2008

  Speech by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

• Requirements for energy performance certificates (EPCs) when marketing homes for sale or let

  6 October 2008

  This guide describes the scope and requirements of the regulations applying to EPCs when homes are being sold or let and provides guidance on how these are applied

• New reliefs in force to bring empty buildings back into use

  1 April 2008

  Changes to update empty property reliefs come into force today acting as an incentive to encourage owners to bring empty properties back into productive use, increasing access to existing premises for business, helping to reduce rents and increase the competitiveness of the UK.

• Zero tolerance approach to commercial vandalism

  25 March 2008

  Local Government Minister John Healey has announced a no nonsense approach to enforcing changes to empty property reliefs coming into force on 1 April. He set out tough measures that councils already have to tackle potential moves by owners to try and avoid liability, and gave a zero tolerance pledge to intervene with further measures if evidence suggests deliberate dereliction of properties is taking place

 

Choice-based lettings

• More housing choice for tenants

  20 January 2010

  More tenants across the country will have a greater say over where they want to live and what housing options are available to them, with over half a million pounds extra funding to create more choice-based lettings schemes across the country and expand several others already in place

• Fair and flexible

  8 December 2009

  Statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local authorities in England

• Fair and flexible: draft statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local authorities in England

  8 December 2009

  Summary of responses to consultation

• Greater council freedom on housing allocations

  8 December 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has today given councils more flexibility in how they manage their waiting lists

• New guide for social housing landlords to tackle overcrowding and under-occupation

  20 November 2009

  TSA guide to help landlords to review and progress their approach to tackling these two issues

• What does excellence look like? Allocations and lettings

  20 October 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon looking at the attributes of excellent three-star organisations inspected by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008. This briefing covers allocations and lettings

• Managing housing registers in England

  6 October 2009

  Network briefing by Tim Brown and Wendy Murphy

• Choice-based lettings (CBL): where next?

  1 October 2009

  Network briefing by Tim Brown and Wendy Murphy focuses on what ‘fair and flexible’ means for CBL systems

• HQN annual conference

  25 August 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray details each of the presentations at this year's HQN annual conference

• Fair and flexible – draft statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local authorities in England, issued 31 July 2009

  13 August 2009

  Complimentary SEN briefing by Wendy Murphy, summarises the guidance, highlighting changes in emphasis and recommendations from government for action and presents HQN’s response to the guidance based on considerable and recent work with a number of local authorities and their partners to review and redesign their allocations policies

• Fair and flexible - Draft statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local authorities in England

  31 July 2009

  CLG consultation on new draft statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local authorities in England. The new guidance aims to address the lack of awareness and understanding about allocations, and to tackle misconceptions. It encourages local authorities to involve their communities in reviewing and revising their allocation policies, and to communicate effectively about how and to whom social housing is allocated. It also encourages local authorities to make full use of the available flexibilities, so that their allocations policies best meet local needs and circumstances. Consultation closes 23 October 2009

• Local Standard Pilot scheme expanded

  21 July 2009

  Due to a high level of interest, the Local Standard Pilot scheme has been expanded to include the allocations standard. Grants of up to £9,000 are available and the closing date for applications is 5 August 2009

• HCA welcomes new money and focuses on immediate delivery

  30 June 2009

  The HCA is ready to begin delivering a significantly enlarged programme of public house building immediately, the Agency’s chief executive has confirmed. The HCA, responsible for housing and regeneration delivery in England, will take responsibility for an additional £1.5bn channelled into affordable housing over the next two years, following the announcement on Building Britain’s Future by the Prime Minister

• Healey announces major plans for more homes and fairer lettings to meet local needs

  30 June 2009

  As part of the Government's Building Britain's Future plans, Housing Minister John Healey has said that construction of thousands of extra homes will begin in a matter of months, thanks to the £1.5 billion pound housing investment announced by the Prime Minister

• Housing allocations: Members of the Armed Forces

  15 April 2009

  This circular provides guidance for local authorities when framing their allocation scheme to provide for applications from serving and former members of the Armed Forces and gives effect to a commitment in a command paper issued by the Ministry of Defence in July 2008. Housing authorities are required to have regard to the guidance in exercising their functions under Part 6 of the 1996 Act

• Fund for the Development of Regional and Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Schemes: Guidance for submitting a proposal

  23 March 2009

  CLG is providing £7m over five years (2005/2010) to support the development of regional and sub-regional CBL schemes in England. This is the final year of the Regional Choice Fund and CLG is making £1m available to fund regional and sub-regional choice based lettings schemes to enable to enable English local authorities to be part of a CBL Scheme by 2010

• Allocations policies: effective practice to prevent homelessness

  26 November 2008

  Speech by Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

• Sector study 62: Analysing key trends in the supply and distribution of social housing lettings

  26 November 2008

  Over three million tenancies were let by local authorities and housing associations in England in the decade to 2006-07. However, the annual volume of lettings slumped by 40% over this period. This Housing Corporation sector study dissects the factors contributing to this trend, and investigates the extent to which the outcomes of lettings processes are compounding the residualisation of social housing and the ethnic segregation of neighbourhoods

• Communities and Local Government (2008): Allocation of Accommodation: Code of Guidance for local housing authorities – choice-based lettings

  28 October 2008

  Network briefing note by Tim Brown summarises and comments on the Code of Guidance

• Summary of Responses to the Consultation on the Choice Based Lettings Code of Guidance

  27 August 2008

  CLG report providing a summary of responses to a consultation on the choice-based lettings code of guidance for local authorities

• Allocation of Accommodation: Choice Based Lettings - Code of Guidance for Local Housing Authorities

  27 August 2008

  CLG statutory code of guidance about the factors that local housing authorities should take into account in framing their allocation scheme to offer a choice of accommodation to housing applicants

• Choice-based lettings update: spring 2008

  9 May 2008

  Network briefing by Tim Brown gives a round up and an update on Choice Based Lettings progress and an insight into government policy

• Fund for the Development of Regional and Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Schemes - Guidance and Instructions for submitting a proposal

  28 March 2008

  The 5 year housing plan, Homes for All - published in January 2005 - set out the Government's plans for taking forward its CBL policy. The aim is to have in place nationwide choice by 2010. The Government wants to build on the existing Communities and Local Government CBL target - for all local authorities to have adopted choice by 2010 - by extending choice based lettings to cover, not only local authority and housing association properties, but also low cost home ownership options and properties for rent from private landlords. The purpose of the Regional Choice Fund is to support social landlords who are keen to work together to create sub-regional and/or regional CBL schemes

 

Home ownership

• The government's Mortgage Rescue scheme

  8 March 2010

  Mortgage to rent

• Clarifying when an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required on the sale or letting of buildings

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• Proposals for requiring Energy Performance Certificate ratings to be displayed on all property advertisements

  2 March 2010

  Impact assessment

• New deal on energy efficiency to help social housing tenants

  2 March 2010

  The government’s Warm Homes, Greener Homes Strategy will help social housing landlords halve the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from the homes they own, according to the TSA

• Making better use of Energy Performance Certificates and data

  2 March 2010

  Consultation closes 25 May 2010

• Housing Affordability: A fuller picture

  16 February 2010

  NHPAU has developed three new affordability indicators to show the ability to access home ownership and the affordability of maintaining a mortgage or renting in the private sector

• Evaluating requirements for market and affordable housing

  16 February 2010

  NHPAU report examines some key issues in assessing affordability of house prices and private rents

• Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics

  11 February 2010

  December Quarter 2009

• Repossession help will continue

  11 February 2010

  Government will keep help in place for struggling homeowners as new figures published show that repossessions court activity has dropped by over a third compared with 2008

• Changes to shared ownership lease will assure lenders and buyers

  2 February 2010

  A new model shared ownership lease has been created by HCA

• New home ownership scheme moves Armed Forces up the property ladder

  27 January 2010

  New home ownership scheme launched by the MOD and CLG

• Government drive to tackle repossessions

  25 January 2010

  The government have extended its campaign to help struggling homeowners get a grip on their finances and avoid repossession

• Social Homebuy

  20 January 2010

  Guidance for local authorities

• Right to Buy to end for new tenants

  15 January 2010

  New council house and housing association tenants will no longer have the Right to Buy (RTB) their homes, according to Scottish Housing Ministers

• New year offers new help to resolve mortgage worries

  5 January 2010

  Housing Minister John Healey has urged struggling homeowners to make it their New Year's Resolution to seek early help, take control of their finances and avoid repossession

• Mortgages: power of sale and residential property

  30 December 2009

  Ministry of Justice (MOJ) consultation on a proposal to require mortgage lenders to obtain a court order or the consent of the borrower before repossessing and selling residential owner-occupied homes. Closing date: 28 March 2010

• Debt advice help for homeowners extended

  15 December 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has extended free advice for families facing the threat of repossession

• Action by government and lenders keeping families in their homes

  10 December 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has welcomed the extension of support to 220,000 struggling homeowners announced by the Chancellor

• Low cost home ownership and shared ownership

  1 December 2009

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen

• Right to manage (RTM) companies under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002: new form of constitutional document: Guidance

  28 October 2009

  Guidance is provided on the new form of constitutional document that is being introduced for right to manage (RTM) companies and how this will affect both new and existing RTM companies

• Repossession and mortgage rescue

  27 October 2009

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen

• Homeowners Mortgage Support - Master Guarantee Deed

  23 October 2009

  The Master Guarantee Deed contains the guarantee given by the Government to lenders which participate in the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme

• John Healey launches debt advice drive to hit repossession hotspots

  9 October 2009

  Media campaign for homeowners in twenty-two hotspot areas targeted as having a higher risk of repossessions, due to high levels of unemployment and numbers of court orders for repossessions

• HCA confirms grant flexibility and calls for more associations to offer Mortgage Rescue

  6 October 2009

  The Homes and Communities Agency has confirmed its commitment to flexible grant rates in delivering the Government’s Mortgage Rescue scheme, and called for more housing associations to join the pool of those already offering help to struggling homeowners facing the threat of repossession during the economic downturn

• Lender notification of repossession proceedings to local authorities: Non-statutory guidance for local housing authorities

  2 October 2009

  CLG guidance to inform local authorities of the implications of amendments to Civil Procedure Rules Part 55, which will require mortgage lenders to notify local authorities that possession proceedings relating to a mortgaged residential property in their area have commenced and thus to encourage local authorities to use this information in the context of their homelessness prevention functions to assist households at risk of repossession

• John Healey: It's your home - let's keep it that way

  8 September 2009

  New campaign offers practical support for struggling homeowners to take control of their finances and make the most of the support available for them to avoid repossessions and stay in their homes

• Help at every step to avoid repossessions

  18 August 2009

  Ministers have urged homeowners concerned about their mortgage payments to seek immediate help from their lenders and the government to avoid repossession

• Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics

  18 August 2009

  June Quarter 2009

• Shared ownership and leasehold enfranchisement and designation of protected areas consultation

  14 August 2009

  Government response to consultation

• Criteria for designating an area as a protected area for the purpose of enfranchisement under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967

  6 August 2009

  CLG criteria that will be taken into account in deciding which areas to designate as protected. Applying protected areas status will ensure that properties are retained for future shared owners

• Capping administration charges for equity share and loan arrangements offered by housing authorities - a consultation paper

  3 July 2009

  The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 introduced provisions for housing authorities to take an equity share or offer an equity loan to enable their leaseholders to meet the service charge bills relating to their flats. This consultation paper seeks views on whether there should be a cap on administration fees charged by housing authorities on such arrangements, the issues surrounding capping and the appropriate level of any cap. Consultation closes 23.9.09

• Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics - May 2009

  30 June 2009

  The Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics 'housing live table' gives information on the number of households approaching local authorities with mortgage difficulties and households applying and accepted for the scheme

• Extra legal help for struggling homeowners

  22 June 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has announced more help for families facing repossession of their home with the doubling of extra funding for free, on-the-spot, legal advice in courts

• Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics - April 2009

  2 June 2009

  The Mortgage Rescue Scheme monitoring statistics 'housing live table' gives information on the number of households approaching local authorities with mortgage difficulties and households applying and accepted for the scheme

• John Healey confirms action to protect council taxpayers

  14 May 2009

  Local Government Minister John Healey has confirmed that the government will take action to tackle excessive council tax increases set this year by two police authorities

• "Promising start" in clearing backlog of unsold housing association homes

  14 May 2009

  Housing associations have made a promising start in clearing the backlog of unsold shared ownership properties, according to the latest figures from the Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

• Right to enfranchise (RTE) provisions: a consultation

  12 May 2009

  This CLG consultation paper sets out the issues that have arisen in relation to the implementation of the Right to Enfranchise (RTE) provisions in the 2002 Act. Its aim is to seek views on the options that have been identified for how these could be dealt with and the proposal for the non-implementation and repeal of these provisions. Consultation closes 3 August 2009

• Guide to Homeowners Mortgage Support

  21 April 2009

  This leaflet gives information about Homeowners Mortgage Support (HMS) and explains where to get more information

• House Price index – February 2009

  17 April 2009

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by CLG based on mortgage completions during the month of February 2009

• Home Information Packs: Guidance for Enforcement Officers

  9 April 2009

  CLG guidance on the Home Information Pack duties in the Housing Act 2004 and secondary legislation made under the Act is aimed primarily at those who have responsibility for enforcing the duties under the Act, including local authority trading standards officers and the Office of Fair Trading

• Low cost home ownership and the credit crunch

  9 April 2009

  TSA study exploring the nature of regional markets for low-cost home ownership offered by housing associations since the downturn. It also clarifies the impact of private developer shared equity schemes on housing associations and the degree to which they are competing with these schemes

• HCA announces new HomeBuy Agents for 2009-11

  25 March 2009

  Following a competitive tendering exercise to ensure continued high levels of service and value for money, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has now published the list of organisations which will act as Local HomeBuy Agents across England for the period 2009-11

• Real help for homeowners

  27 February 2009

  Speech by The Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, attending Cabinet

• Mortgage rescue scheme extended across England

  16 January 2009

  A mortgage rescue scheme to help vulnerable families at risk of repossession to stay in their homes is being rolled out across England. The £200m scheme is one of a range of measures the government is putting in place to help ensure repossession is always a last resort

• £400m deal agreed to provide affordable housing

  16 December 2008

  A deal worth more than £400m to help first time buyers aspiring to buy their own home has been approved by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett, as part of the government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the economy

• Home buying and selling

  10 December 2008

  Speech by Margaret Beckett, Minister for Housing and Planning

• Improving consumer information in the Home Information Pack - Summary of responses

  10 December 2008

  Summary of the responses to the proposals

• New measures to benefit consumers

  8 December 2008

  A new package of measures to ensure consumers receive improved information in the home buying and selling process was announced today by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett

• New scheme to help people at risk of repossession

  4 December 2008

  The government today announced a new scheme to help people who suffer a temporary loss of income stay in their home

• Real help now to support homeowners through difficult times

  26 November 2008

  A cross-government package of new measures and reforms to provide real help to families at risk of repossession has been announced by the Chancellor Alistair Darling in the Pre-Budget Report

• In brief: Whose house is it anyway?

  20 November 2008

  This In Brief examines the increasing role of housing associations as agents of low cost home ownership (LCHO) and examines some actions that would help to ensure that this expansion of home ownership is sustainable

• Summary of responses from the Local Authority Property Search Services paper and the Local Authorities (Charges for Property Searches) (England and Wales) Regulations paper

  14 November 2008

  This single document contains the summary of responses from both; Local Authority Property Search Services (Charges for Property Search Services) Consultation Paper; and Local Authorities (Charges for Property Searches) (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 Consultation Paper

• Local HomeBuy Agent Competition underway – open to widest range ever

  27 October 2008

  Following the release of the HomeBuy Agent Competition Prospectus, applications to become agents from 1 April 2009 are now being taken by the Housing Corporation

• Sale and rent back

  16 October 2008

  This report from the Office of Fair Trading looks at the sale and rent back sector. It claims that the sector needs statutory regulation with better protection for consumers

• Corporation opens HomeBuy direct bidding

  1 October 2008

  Home buy direct - a £300 million initiative aimed at helping up to 10,000 first time buyers currently frozen out of the mortgage market meet their housing aspirations and supporting the house-building industry, was launched today by the Housing Corporation

• Developing and sustaining mixed tenure housing developments

  25 September 2008

  Joseph Rowntree round-up evaluates the strategic and policy context for housing development and neighbourhood renewal

• Assisting leaseholders facing large bills for major works or improvements

  16 September 2008

  Network briefing by Jeff Platt looks at the historical context and the current position of leaseholders, including; payment options offered by landlords, sinking funds and any other options to consider

• Ensuring a fair housing market for all

  2 September 2008

  A major cross–government package of new measures to meet current challenges in the housing market has been announced - The £1 billion housing package announced by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, will help first time buyers struggling to get onto the housing ladder, support vulnerable homeowners at risk of repossession, and support the house-building industry

• House Price Index - June 2008

  13 August 2008

  The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government

• Improved information in HIPs will bring benefits for consumers

  31 July 2008

  A proposal to further enhance the home buying and selling process for consumers by presenting information in a simpler way up front in a Home Information Pack, has now been announced

• Improving Consumer Information in the Home Information Pack: Consultation Paper

  31 July 2008

  From March 2003 to June 2003 a full formal consultation exercise was carried out on the contents of the HIP including the 'Home Use Form' currently authorised for inclusion. This fed into the development of the HIP Regulations. The proposals on leasehold requirements within the HIP and on the PIQ therefore take forward existing policy and have been developed with industry and consumer representatives. This consultation concerns how CLG plan to implement those proposals and ends on 30.9.08

• Pilot for new Rent to HomeBuy scheme to help first time buyers

  17 July 2008

  A pilot ‘Rent to HomeBuy’ scheme to help first time buyers onto the property ladder has been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint as she launched 'Facing the housing challenge - Action today, innovation for tomorrow’

• Housing market recessions and sustainable home-ownership

  17 July 2008

  Joseph Rowntree round-up considers how the government might respond to housing market recessions in the short-term, and what longer-term measures it might take to promote sustainability through the housing market cycle

• Open Market HomeBuy

  19 June 2008

  There are two Open Market HomeBuy products, which are designed specifically to help local authority and housing association tenants, key workers and others who, without assistance, cannot afford to buy a suitable home in an area where they live or work. Both products are available throughout England and have been designed to suit a wide range of personal circumstances

• Helping first time buyers onto the property ladder

  16 May 2008

  New support to help first time buyers into affordable home ownership has been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Strengthening support for home owners in current market conditions

  9 May 2008

  A new £10 million package of measures to support home owners who may be facing difficulties with their mortgage, has been announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling and Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Home Information Packs - benefiting consumers

  9 May 2008

  The Government have announced a package of measures to help ensure consumers are seeing the vital information in Home Information Packs and are receiving a higher standard of service in the home buying and selling process

• Housing boost for key workers and first time buyers

  8 April 2008

  A major package of new measures to support key workers and other first time buyers into affordable homeownership has been announced by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Key workers are given a helping hand onto the property ladder

  14 March 2008

  Two new products backed by the Government and announced in today's Budget are being launched today by the Housing Corporation to help thousands of key workers and other priority first time buyers buy their own home

 

VfM and efficiency

• Housing associations outperform the wider property sector in credit crunch

  25 February 2010

  According to TSA’s new study 'The impact of the credit crunch on housing associations'

• The recession checklist: things social landlords and strategic housing authorities need to keep under review

  23 February 2010

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes

• Value for money issues and the evaluation of the housing market renewal pathfinder programme

  23 October 2009

  This paper considers the conceptual and practical problems in assessing value for money of the HMR programme by looking at a number of case studies

• New action to support value for money in local government

  23 October 2009

  Local Government Minister Rosie Winterton has announced further new measures to help ensure value for money on council salaries and services

• Workforce development plan

  31 March 2009

  Network briefing by Bill Fullen and Jennifer Aston looks in detail at the fundamental issues, which are key to the development of successful workforce planning

• Value for Money in strategic housing

  2 December 2008

  We’ve worked with 21 local authorities over the last 18 months to prove that you can understand how much your strategic and retained housing services cost, and what you are getting for your money. With a number of other authorities beginning the process, this work is gaining momentum, increasing opportunities to share information and practice

 

Social exclusion

• Tackling social exclusion and inequality in housing

  11 December 2009

  Complimentary SEN briefing by Sarah Hopkins

• Debt Management Schemes – delivering effective and balanced solutions for debtors and creditors

  30 September 2009

  Joint MOF/BIS consultation seeks views on a range of options for improving the way that debtors deal with their debts. The options provide an opportunity for people to be able to repay their debts in a controlled and managed way and asks whether there is a need for intervention in this area. Consultation closes 18 December 2009

• Real help for North West and North East through £12m Moneymadeclear service pathfinder

  15 April 2009

  HM Treasury and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) today launched Moneymadeclear, a service offering practical and impartial help and information on money matters for people in the North East and North West of England. The new service aims to help people tackle their money worries and make informed financial decisions with confidence, whether it’s avoiding debt problems, coping with a change in circumstances, or preparing for the future

• Places of Change Programme head calls for end to cycle of social exclusion

  27 February 2009

  The Homes and Communities Agency’s Places of Change programme is leading the way in helping shape better quality service provision for homeless people, and breaking the cycle of social exclusion

• In-depth assessment delivers the verdict on the government’s promise of a more equal society

  27 February 2009

  A Joseph Rowntree independent and detailed expert analysis of a decade of reforms takes up the challenge made by Peter Mandelson in 1997 to "judge us after ten years of success in office. For one of the fruits of that success will be that Britain has become a more equal society." The study, shows sharp contrasts between different policy areas

• Poverty, inequality and policy since 1997

  27 February 2009

  Joseph Rowntree study which examines the impact of policy on poverty and inequality in Britain since 1997

• A typology of the functional roles of deprived neighbourhoods

  24 February 2009

  This paper discusses a typology which has been developed as part of the evaluation of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal (NSNR) undertaken for Communities and Local Government

• Ending child poverty in a changing economy

  19 February 2009

  Joseph Rowntree study which updates and revises projections of child poverty in 2010 and 2020

• Data use in voluntary and community organisations

  17 February 2009

  This Joseph Rowntree study assesses the need and demand within voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) for relevant, analysed and well-presented data to support their work tackling poverty

• In-work poverty: a systematic review

  5 February 2009

  DWP report

• Guidance on the use of Family Intervention Tenancies

  20 January 2009

  This guidance is aimed at social landlords and their use of Family Intervention Tenancies. These tenancies were introduced in the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 ("the 2008 Act") and became available for use on 1 January 2009

• Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2008

  8 December 2008

  This Joseph Rowntree report marks the tenth anniversary of the first edition of Monitoring poverty and social exclusion. Built around a set of indicators constructed using the latest official government data, the report assesses the record across a wide range of subjects from low income to exclusion from services. It effectively provides a picture of the state of poverty and social exclusion in the UK just before the onset of the recent economic downturn

• What is needed to end child poverty in 2020?

  11 November 2008

  How realistic is the government's pledge to end child poverty by 2020? The strategy is hugely ambitious and progress has stalled. This round-up draws on the findings of seven reports about how to take forward different aspects of a child poverty strategy; examines the impact of current policy; and suggests what is needed to ensure the target is met

• The changing pattern of earnings: employees, migrants and low-paid families

  29 October 2008

  Joseph Rowntree study which explores the assumption that individuals can work their way out of poverty, by examining the changing earnings of employees, the integration of migrants and the progression of low-paid families in Britain since the late 1970s

• Tackling fuel poverty

  14 October 2008

  Network briefing by Chris Bowen, explores amongst other things, the extent of fuel poverty, government targets and what a housing organisation can do to help reduce fuel poverty

• Transforming disadvantaged places: effective strategies for places and people

  25 July 2008

  Joseph Rowntree round up which summarises evidence about the underlying forces affecting place-based economic deprivation across Britain, and explores how interventions aimed at both people and places can be strengthened to tackle disadvantage

• A minimum income standard for Britain: what people think

  3 July 2008

  Joseph Rowntree report

• The influence of neighbourhood deprivation on people's attachment to places

  14 May 2008

  This study considers the factors that cause people to become attached to deprived neighbourhoods in England, and the things that prevent attachment from developing. In particular, it examines how social mix and high population turnover affect attachment

• Financial inclusion

  15 April 2008

  Network briefing by Chloe Fletcher outlines good practice and explores the issues raised by financial inclusion