Here you will find information and briefings from HQN, plus all the latest information from government, regulators and inspectors.
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Documents are also stored in our electronic library, and older items are in our archive.
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3 July 2008
Inspection report
Dover District Council - Strategic Housing Services
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3 July 2008
Inspection report
Isle of Scilly Council - Supporting People Programme
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3 July 2008
Inspection report
Raven Housing Trust - Housing Management Services
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3 July 2008
Inspection report
Greenwich London Borough - Repairs and Maintenance Inspection
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3 July 2008
Inspection report
Wandsworth London Borough - Supporting People Programme
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3 July 2008
Second round of the Housing Corporation's Regular Market Engagement process
Flexibilities for the second round of the Housing Corporation's Regular Market Engagement (RME) process have been announced, moving towards the shortening of timescales for the next round and a subsequent move to a more continuous bidding process
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3 July 2008
Appointment of first Chair of Homes and Community Agency welcomed
The appointment of Robert Napier as the first Chair of the Homes and Community Agency has been welcomed by the Housing Corporation
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3 July 2008
Minister confirms new deal for communities funding
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews has confirmed nearly £500m for neighbourhood partnerships in deprived communities across the country, to continue helping their work to cut crime levels, improve educational achievements and boost job opportunities
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3 July 2008
Buildings in England and Wales score an average ‘C’ energy rating
Commercial buildings are scoring an average 'C' energy rating, according to early results from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to the commercial sector
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3 July 2008
More support to deliver affordable housing, announces Caroline Flint
New immediate measures designed to respond to the impact of the credit crunch on the housing market and maintain the delivery of new affordable housing, have been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint
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3 July 2008
Meeting the short and long term challenges
Speech by Housing Minister Caroline Flint
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3 July 2008
A minimum income standard for Britain: what people think
Joseph Rowntree report
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1 July 2008
The government response to Our Shared Future: recommendations on community cohesion for social housing providers
Network briefing by Joanna Jeffery and Richard Seager highlights those parts of the government response that have particular significance for social housing providers
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30 June 2008
Chief Executive for new social housing regulator announced
Peter Marsh has been appointed as Chief Executive of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), announced Housing Minister Caroline Flint
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30 June 2008
Drive for affordable homes and the rights of tenants move forward
The government's drive to deliver much needed new affordable homes and safeguard higher housing standards for eight million social housing tenants has taken another step forward as Housing Minister, Caroline Flint has announced the successful recruitment of two top positions at the agencies charged with achieving these goals
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30 June 2008
Target shake up delivers stronger focus on issues that matter to the public
The results of a comprehensive shake up of council targets and priorities are now published. The priorities - agreed in partnership with central government - show the pattern of issues across England that councils will now have to grapple with over the next three years. Councils will now need to devote considerable energy to ensuring their communities feel safer, that tackling serious violence and anti-social behaviour is a major priority, and that tackling unemployment and teenage pregnancy is comprehensively addressed
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30 June 2008
New research reveals public support for the development of eco-towns by a ratio of 5:1
New research released by Housing Minister Caroline Flint reveals current support for the development of eco-towns among the general public outnumbers opposition by a ratio of 5:1. The research is published as the consultation process around the government's vision for the country's first eco-towns starts its next phase
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30 June 2008
Energy performance certificates for dwellings in the social and private rented sectors: A guide for landlords
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
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30 June 2008
Local initiatives to help workless people find and keep paid work
Joseph Rowntree report into Worklessness
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30 June 2008
Delivering benefits, tax credits and employment services: Problems for disadvantaged users and potential solutions
Joseph Rowntree review of problems and solutions in the benefit delivery system
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26 June 2008
Recent Developments in the Communities and Local Government Affordability Model
This report outlines the latest developments to the Departments' Affordability Model since the last publication in December 2005. In particular, the model not only can assess the impact of additional housing supply on affordability, but also how changes in affordability feed through to future levels of homeownership, vacant houses and demolitions
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26 June 2008
The joint Treasury/CLG review of council housing finance
Network briefing by Chloe Fletcher summarises the review process and highlights the key issues that are emerging from the review for local authorities and ALMOs as well as housing associations
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26 June 2008
Inspection report
Dorset County Council - Supporting People
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26 June 2008
Inspection report
Salford City Council - Strategic Housing Services
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26 June 2008
Inspection report
Bournemouth Council - Strategic Housing Services
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26 June 2008
Inspection report
North East Lincolnshire Council - Supporting People
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26 June 2008
Re-inspection report
North West Leicestershire District Council - Landlord Services
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26 June 2008
Inspection report
Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council - Supporting People
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26 June 2008
Inspection report
Redbridge London Borough Council - Supporting People
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26 June 2008
Healey confirms action to tackle excessive council tax rises
Local Government Minister John Healey has announced that the Government will take action to tackle excessive council tax rises set by eight authorities in 2008/09
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26 June 2008
Citizenship Survey: April 2007 - March 2008, England and Wales
This release provides headline findings from all four quarters of the 2007-2008 Citizenship Survey, covering April 2007- March 2008. The release covers active and empowered communities; community cohesion; and racial prejudice and discrimination
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25 June 2008
Associations have secured significant efficiency gains says the Housing Corporation as it launches Operating Cost Index Results for 2007
Housing associations have delivered around £360m in operating efficiency gains during 2005-07 says the Housing Corporation as it publishes the 2007 Operating Cost Index (OCI) results for the largest housing associations in England. Published for the fourth year, the OCI allows the comparison of costs between associations
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25 June 2008
Experts lay down the gauntlet to eco-town developers
The fifteen experts on the Eco-towns Challenge Panel have today set out a series of recommendations for potential eco-town developers, designed to improve their plans to create world-leading sustainable developments
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25 June 2008
The Next Steps: EPCs and the establishment of the Green Homes Service
This consultation seeks views on a number of practical steps for making Energy Performance Certificates more accessible to help drive changes in behaviour. Consultation closes on 1 September 2008
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25 June 2008
Community engagement and community cohesion
Government policies for community engagement have been high profile, as have community cohesion agendas – but these have been developed in parallel. Joseph Rowntree study explores the challenges of bringing them together. It examines ways of enabling new arrivals to become involved, promoting solidarity and cohesion rather than competition and conflict between newer and more established communities
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25 June 2008
Re-Inspection report
East Lothian Council - Homelessness services
According to the Scottish Housing regulator, East Lothian Council has been awarded a ‘fair’ rating for its homelessness services -
24 June 2008
Positive practice information
Identified at inspection by the Audit Commission
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24 June 2008
St Basils - report on a medium-term supported housing initiative for young people
HQN's Finance Director Steve Partridge has been working closely with St Basils, a charity that provides support for young people across Birmingham who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. HQN is supporting St Basils in their new initiative; to provide medium-term supported housing for young people to help them gain stability. This is a copy of the executive summary.
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24 June 2008
St Basils - report on a medium-term supported housing initiative for young people
HQN's Finance Director Steve Partridge has been working closely with St Basils, a charity that provides support for young people across Birmingham who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. HQN is supporting St Basils in their new initiative; to provide medium-term supported housing for young people to help them gain stability. This is a copy of the full report for that was carried out to facilitate a bid for funding.
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23 June 2008
Preparing Britain for the future: The government’s draft legislative agenda 2008/09
Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor which considers the Bills in the draft programme relevant to the social housing sector
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23 June 2008
One year tenancy proposal
A private tenancy for a minimum of one year has been proposed in a consultation on new approaches to housing homeless people
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20 June 2008
Housing association finance: explained - the essential event for the basics in housing association finance
Would you like to improve your understanding of housing association finance? This seminar will cut through the mystique and the jargon and give you the clear and straightforward explanations that you need. Thursday 18 September 2008 - Maida Vale Marriott Hotel, London. Tuesday 23 September 2008 - Victoria and Albert Hotel, Manchester. Wednesday 24 September 2008 - Royal York Hotel, York.
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20 June 2008
Housing and Regeneration Bill update - The Social Housing Regulator
Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor explores the emerging implications of the Bill for the housing sector
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20 June 2008
Bricking it? Or buying it? Responding to the credit crunch
The impact on the social housing sector is potentially huge. Our timely event and line-up of expert speakers
will examine the issues and explore the threats and opportunities the credit crunch poses. Tuesday 2 September 2008, Regents Park Marriott Hotel, London -
19 June 2008
Have your say on the HRA subsidy review
Don't miss your chance to get involved in the HRA subsidy review. The Chartered Institute of Housing is holding two events, and has set up a discussion forum. Details within this release
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19 June 2008
Inspection report
South Lakeland District Council - South Lakes Housing (ALMO)
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19 June 2008
Inspection report
Mid Suffolk District Council - Strategic Housing Inspection
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19 June 2008
Watchdog introduces new housing spot-checks
The Audit Commission is introducing short-notice inspections for housing associations following a successful pilot programme. The shorter inspections will take less time to complete than the conventional inspections, as they will specifically target weaker services. This new approach will reduce the regulatory burden, while at the same time driving through improvements in services to tenants and leaseholders
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19 June 2008
Open Market HomeBuy
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
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18 June 2008
The way ahead for safer communities: government response to Casey Review
Increasing the visibility of community sentences so that offenders ‘pay back’ to the community, providing regular local crime data and online maps, and investing in a new team of community champions are part of new plans to better engage communities in the fight against crime has been announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Justice Secretary Jack Straw
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18 June 2008
National debate on tenant empowerment and tenant choice opened
Housing Corporation Deputy CEO calls for revolution in tenant engagement and involvement
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18 June 2008
Public sector must provide leadership to help the Government achieve affordable housing targets
Housing Corporation Chief Executive says the public sector must provide leadership to help the Government achieve affordable housing targets
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18 June 2008
Healey urges councils to spend tax as efficiently as they collect it
Local Government Minister John Healey today praised councils on improving the amount of council tax collected for the eighth successive year
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18 June 2008
Chartered Institute of Housing Annual Conference 2008
Speech by The Rt Hon Caroline Flint, Minister for Housing
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18 June 2008
Efficiency is key to riding out credit crunch says Housing Corporation Deputy Chief Executive in Harrogate speech
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17 June 2008
Risk management plans vital for housing association boards, says Housing Corporation Chairman
Housing Corporation Chairman Peter Dixon has sent a letter to all housing association chairs urging them to have extensive risk management plans in place to deal with the current conditions within the credit and housing markets
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17 June 2008
Preparations for digital TV transmission in rented housing
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
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13 June 2008
Affordable Housing Supply, England, 2006/2007
This is a new Communities and Local Government statistical release
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13 June 2008
Statutory Homelessness: 1st Quarter (January - March) 2008, England
The latest national statistics on Statutory Homelessness for the first quarter (January to March) 2008
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13 June 2008
From homelessness to business success - winners announced of national competition
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
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13 June 2008
Evaluation of Social HomeBuy Pilot Scheme for Affordable Housing: Final Report
This report outlines the progress made to December 2007 in implementing Social HomeBuy. In particular it focuses on the motivations behind the involvement of participating landlords and their experience of barriers to the implementation of the scheme both from an organisational and a tenant perspective
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13 June 2008
Councils must use powers to protect new homes from flood risk
Councils must get tough on protecting people in flood risk areas Minister for Housing, Caroline Flint, announced
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13 June 2008
Temporary accommodation numbers continue to fall as new figures revealed
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
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13 June 2008
Inspection report
Wales Audit Office report shows that, whilst Cymdeithas Tai Eryri was providing some satisfactory or good services, there was scope for considerable improvement in a number of areas
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13 June 2008
Inspection report
Nottingham Community Housing Association Ltd - Housing services
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13 June 2008
Inspection report
Yorkshire Coast Homes - Housing management services
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13 June 2008
Inspection report
Hammersmith and Fulham Homes ALMO - Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council
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13 June 2008
Inspection report
Your Homes Newcastle ALMO - Newcastle City Council
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11 June 2008
Environmental retrofit manual to tackle household CO2 emissions launched
Housing Minister Iain Wright has launched a guide to tackling environmental emissions currently generated by households. He also announced that 8m Osram energy efficient light bulbs would be given out to housing association households over a 12-month period beginning in September 2008
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11 June 2008
Glasgow Housing Association
Second stage transfer stock valuation study
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11 June 2008
Managing the impacts of migration
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has set out the range of actions the government is taking to manage migration, maximise the benefits for the whole of the UK and minimise the negative impacts
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11 June 2008
Tackling overcrowding in England
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
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11 June 2008
£9.6m more to change homeless hostels into places of opportunity
An extra £9.6m to help rough sleepers make a permanent move away from the streets has been announced by Housing Minister Caroline Flint
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11 June 2008
House Price Index - April 2008
The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government
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10 June 2008
Tackling overcrowding
Network briefing paper by Wendy Murphy examines the actions being taken by the five pilot London boroughs, and others, to tackle overcrowding
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9 June 2008
Reaching Out - working with ethnic communities in housing
Complimentary SUNnet briefing for Network members on addressing the issues surrounding worklessness
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9 June 2008
Tenants invited to get involved in the boardroom
Housing Minister Caroline Flint announced that tenants will have the opportunity to reward good practice and take action against poor social landlords as she launched the recruitment for the board of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority
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9 June 2008
Planning Partnership guide to speed up new large scale developments
A new guide to speed up planning partnerships between councils and developers has been published by Planning Minister, Iain Wright
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
Medway Council - Strategic housing
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
Basildon District Council - Access to services
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
North Warwickshire Borough Council - Landlord Services Re-inspection
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6 June 2008
Two housing associations appointed to manage distribution of the Corporation's £50,000 IGP Grant to tackle overcrowding
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
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6 June 2008
Building on our success: Communities and Local Government appoint five non-executive board members
Peter Housden, Permanent Secretary, has announced the appointment of five non-executive members to the Board of Communities and Local Government
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6 June 2008
Local authority revenue expenditure and financing England: 2008-09 Budget
The latest national statistics on the budget estimates of local authority revenue expenditure and financing for 2008-09 were released on 5 June 2008 under arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority
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6 June 2008
Housing and disabled children
Joseph Rowntree round-up, which provides an overview of what is known about the housing circumstances of disabled children and their families
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
South Tyneside Homes ALMO - South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
Twynham Housing Association - Housing Management Services
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
Crawley Borough Council - Re-inspection of Housing Management Services
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6 June 2008
Inspection report
Rutland County Council - Re-inspection of Landlord Services
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5 June 2008
Inspection report
Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council - Allocations and homelessness
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5 June 2008
Inspection report
Milton Keynes Council - Housing management services
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5 June 2008
Towards an ageing society
Housing Corporation final evaluation report of the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust's housing programme for older people
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5 June 2008
Life in Affordable Housing
Housing Corporation report which examines the kinds of affordable housing people want, the aspects of their homes they like and don’t like and the issues that need to be addressed to improve housing for tenants
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4 June 2008
Rent asunder
Guardian column exposing defects in HRA quoting Steve Partridge
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4 June 2008
Local Development Frameworks streamlining
Summary of responses to consultation
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4 June 2008
Rural housing in Wales
The paper presents the findings and recommendations of the independent JRF Commission on Rural Housing in Wales
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3 June 2008
Blears boosts planning aid giving everyone the right to be heard
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced a major expansion of Planning Aid, to ensure that people have the advice, skills and professional support they need to have a proper voice in the planning process
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3 June 2008
The role of housing associations in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships
Network briefing by Tim Horsley looks at the roles now expected of HAs, the methods they can use to fulfil them, and what more a CDRP can offer than just a quarterly meeting of partners
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29 May 2008
New drive to get long term unemployed back to work
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
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29 May 2008
Land Use Change Statistics (England) 2007 - provisional estimates
The latest national statistics on Land Use Change were released under the auspices of the UK Statistics Authority on 29 May 2008
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29 May 2008
Housing policies for Scotland: challenges and changes
Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust report
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29 May 2008
Inspection report
London Borough of Harrow - Access to Services
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27 May 2008
Continuous Recording of Lettings and Sales (CORE) log reviews 2008 announced
The Housing Corporation has announced the annual review of the data collected through its CORE system as it moves towards the creation of the new social regulator OFTENANT and the Homes and Communities Agency
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27 May 2008
Designing Citizen-centred Governance
Joseph Rowntree report
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27 May 2008
Community Gateway briefing
Case study briefing by Paul Roberts explores why this approach was taken, looks at their model, community empowerment and what the future holds for Preston’s community gateway model
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22 May 2008
Blears heralds a new era of 'parish power'
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has heralded a new era of 'parish power' where parishes have a real purpose in modern society - a far cry from the way they are often perceived as outdated, 19th century institutions