South London's Southwark council is looking to identify disused spaces on its estates which it can use to increase the amount of housing stock in the borough. The Hidden Homes scheme has been tasked with finding empty garages, laundrettes and disused offices which can be renovated. … [Read more...]
Ministers halve guideline rent increase
March 8, 2009 By
Council tenants are to benefit from a lower than expected rent increase after Ministers changed the guidance issued to local authorities in light of falling inflation levels. Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced that the average guideline increase of 6.2 per cent is to … [Read more...]
TSA calls for ‘more focus on tenants’
March 6, 2009 By
The Chief Executive of the Tenant Services Authority, the new regulator for affordable housing, has called on social housing landlords to "focus more" on their tenants and better involve them in decisions about the services they use. Speaking yesterday at the CIH South East Conference … [Read more...]
Sustainable communities to be ‘top priority’
February 26, 2009 By
Building sustainable communities is to be a key priority for the two new public bodies responsible for championing rights and delivering affordable housing across England. The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have signed their first Memorandum … [Read more...]
Capital has 80,000 empty homes
February 16, 2009 By
Figures released last week show the capital has more than 80,000 homes lying empty. The figures, released by the Empty Homes Agency, show the number increased from 80,691 to 82,327 between 2007 and 2008 despite falling the previous year. Darren Johnson, who represents the Green … [Read more...]
Hit squad targets illegal council home occupants
February 3, 2009 By
Council bosses in Barking and Dagenham are claiming a successful first year for a 'hit squad' tasked with identifying illegal occupants of council homes. The team of experienced housing and audit officers has been operating since January 2008, since when it has identified 54 homes … [Read more...]
£130m to improve London’s housing estates
December 10, 2008 By
Boris Johnson yesterday announced a three year, £77m project to regenerate the capital’s housing estates. The money is being made available to “kick-start” existing projects which have stalled because of the economic downturn. The Mayor also announced that a further £55 million … [Read more...]
Major East London housing development approved
November 25, 2008 By
Boris Johnson has approved a major new development in East London which will see the construction of almost 500 homes for social and affordable use plus space for retail, healthcare and educational use. Approval of the development, to be located in Tower Hamlets on the site of St … [Read more...]
