The Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013

he Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/1467) were laid on 14 June and will come into force on 1 July 2013.

No tolerance of hate crimes: statistics show fall in offences

A decrease in overall racist and religiously aggravated offending in Scotland was today given a cautious welcome by Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham

Preview: the government spending round

Network briefing by Mark Smulian

Housing Regulator calls for “candour and realism” in dealing with pensions issue

Financial Viability of Registered Social Landlords - Information Requirements

Revised guidance

Housing Regulator publishes revised guidance on financial information

Support for councils to meet the homelessness Gold Standard challenge on bed and breakfast accommodation

The government has decided to make up to £1.8 million available for 2013 to 2014 to enable authorities to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to the problems that are driving the use of bed and breakfast accommodation

Welfare reform and housing: the HQN survey - part two

Network briefing by Lydia Dlaboha

What role for extra care housing in a socially isolated landscape?

This Housing LIN report highlights five core elements of extra care housing that give older people fulfilling, socially-connected lives

Statutory homelessness in England: January to March 2013

Government to unlock thousands of new homes

Thousands of homes at stalled housing sites will be unlocked through a multi-million pound package of government support

Protecting social housing assets in a more diverse sector

HQN comments on HCA discussion paper

Government welcomes new ideas for supporting separated families

Additional funding available for projects to help separated parents and their children

Publication of housing statistics for Scotland

NewBuy Guarantee scheme: March 2012 to March 2013

Building inclusive futures

Chair of our Equality and Diversity Board Advisory Group (EDBAG) Dorian Leatham explains the importance of this agenda

HOUSING SUPPORT DUTY TO HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS - GUIDANCE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

The Housing Support Duty to Homeless Households for local authorities came into force on 1st June 2013.

This Guidance has been developed by a cross sector working group chaired by the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO)

HOW CAN WE UNLOCK LOCAL PEOPLE'S POTENTIAL TO TACKLE LOCAL PROBLEMS? LESSONS FROM BRADFORD

The Bradford Social Future Awards innovative pilot scheme was a partnership between JRF, UnLtd and Bradford Metropolitan District Council from May 2011 to June 2012. It showed the untapped potential of local people to find local solutions to local problems, and a readiness to take risks through backing social entrepreneurs with flexible finance and support

Caring for Scots with dementia

A second three year National Dementia Strategy to improve standards of care for people with dementia has been launched at Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Connections Conference

Housing Regulator publishes response to consultation on financial information

Action plan setting out support to reduce energy bills

The Scottish Government today launched its District Heating Action Plan which sets a clear roadmap for how we will support the growth of district heating networks throughout Scotland. and help reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.

Walking the Breadline: The scandal of food poverty in 21st-century Britain

Church Action on Poverty and Oxfam highlight the rise in food poverty in the UK, where over 500,000 are now thought to be reliant on food parcels.

Almost a third of renters unaware of their deposit rights

The survey, conducted with over 4,000 private renters in England, also found that one in five don’t know if their deposit has been protected. Almost one in ten (nine per cent) know that their deposit is definitely not protected

Higher standards for private rented housing

Tenants and landlords are set to benefit from new plans to modernise Scotland’s private rented sector, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said

Bill to improve care for ageing population

Caring for our older people at home will be vital to ease the pressure on Scotland’s health and social care services, Health Secretary Alex Neil said

The private rented sector - a toolkit for local authorities

Network toolkit by Roger Jarman

New resident rights for park homes will root out the rogues

New rights will give park home residents the protection they need from unscrupulous site owners, says Communities Secretary Eric Pickles

Housing complaints - the role of designated persons - Commons Library Standard Note

The Strategy for Older People in Wales 2013-2023

This third phase of the Strategy focuses on ensuring that older people in Wales have the resources they need to deal with the challenges and opportunities they face

OLDER PEOPLE WITH HIGH SUPPORT NEEDS IN HOUSING WITH CARE

Housing with care (HWC) offers a promising model for improving the quality of life of older people with high support needs, but also poses challenges

Questions and answers

Network members have a wealth of housing expertise so help spread the word by adding your questions and answering those already posted by our members on our questions and answers page. Click on the title above to view all our current member questions

Fresh help for house buyers

People across Scotland are to be helped on to the housing ladder with a £120 million funding boost announced today by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Universal Credit – service charges

Network briefing by Ian Parker

Renters' health at risk

One in nine renters says their health has been affected by their landlord’s failure to carry out repairs or deal with poor conditions in their home, new Shelter research has revealed

£1 million funding will boost rent options for single homeless people

Communities Minister Don Foster today (13 May 2013) announced a cash boost of up to £1 million to support single homeless people

Troubled Families: progress information on the number of families worked with in year 1

This publication provides information on the number of families worked with in year 1

Growing Places Fund survey: an analysis of results

Analysis of the results provided by all 39 local enterprise partnerships in England in December 2012 on their use of the Growing Places Fund

Right to Buy: Back in fashion?

Network briefing by Neil Merrick

Tough new housing rules to control immigration

New measures announced in today’s (8 May 2013) Queen’s Speech will help tackle illegal immigration and ensure those living in the private rented sector have leave to remain in this country

Queen's Speech 2013: Local Audit and Accountability Bill

Funding opportunity - Grant applications invited to set up new housing options advice and information services

Minister challenges councils to find land for self-builders

Councils were challenged to step-up to help boost housebuilding by finding land for local people to build their ‘Grand Design’ by Nick Boles

Council Tax: empty homes premium

This guidance has been issued to help authorities in the decision making process for administering the empty homes premium

Communities say ‘yes’ to locally led housebuilding

Two more communities vote in favour of their neighbourhood plan

Housing and mental health needs

Network briefing by Tim Horsley

Evaluation of Getting on Together: The Community Cohesion Strategy for Wales

This report details findings to emerge from a two year evaluation of the delivery and impact of the strategy

Scottish Housing regulator publishes equality statement 2013

“More efficient” homelessness Sector grows by 16%

A report published by the London Housing Foundation shows that the turnover of agencies working in the homelessness sector in London has grown by 16% over the last four years

Millions to boost disadvantaged communities

A £25 million fund will help to transform disadvantaged areas across Scotland, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill announced

Proposed planning revamp

Scotland’s planning system will place more emphasis on jobs and economic benefits to help deliver sustainable economic growth, Planning Minister Derek Mackay announced

New Homes Bonus: grant determination 2013 to 2014

This document shows how much New Homes Bonus grant DCLG will pay to each local authority in England in 2013 to 2014

MANAGING THE SOCIAL RISKS OF PUBLIC SPENDING CUTS IN SCOTLAND

How have Scottish local authorities managed the social risks of public spending cuts? By Joseph Rowntree

Royal Assent for Growth and Infrastructure Act

The successful passage of the government’s flagship growth legislation signals extra momentum towards economic growth, new homes and jobs

social hearted, commercially minded a report on tomorrow’s housing associations

Report by the Smith Institue

Dwelling stock estimates in England: 2012

The latest England dwelling stock estimates statistics produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government were released on Thursday 25 April 2013

Universal Credit

Network briefing by Sue Beasor

Housing and Intergenerational Fairness

This report is Policy Exchange's contribution to retirement housing provider Hanover's Hanover@50 debate on the future of housing for older people

Homelessness pot open for bids

Bids are open for the final round of the £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund

Scottish Housing Regulator publishes revised Technical Guidance

Funds for project to curb impact of welfare reform

A project to help Glaswegians develop the skills to claim benefits and find jobs online is to receive £170,000 support from the Scottish Government, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced

Private rented sector

Written ministerial statement about the Build to Rent Fund

Up to 10,000 new homes will improve the rental market

Up to 10,000 new homes for private rent will be underway by 2015, Housing Minister Mark Prisk said

Improving the rented housing sector

There are 1.8 million households on waiting lists for social housing. We must ensure people can get accommodation that meets their needs both in terms of quality and cost

Changes to make it cheaper to build own home could help many self-builders

New measures could make it cheaper for aspiring self-builders to get their ‘grand design’ off the ground

VfM toolkit

Network toolkit

Regulator publishes new guide for tenants and service users

The Scottish Housing Regulator has today published How We Regulate: A guide for tenants and service users

Housing Regulator seeks tenant feedback to help improve services

The Scottish Housing Regulator is seeking people to join a new National Panel

Housing demand and supply: are we building enough homes?

Network briefing by Roger Jarman

Health and Homeless Standards

First introduced in 2009 the standards aim to ensure access to healthcare for some of the most vulnerable groups in society

New Model Rules for housing associations in Wales

A bespoke set of Model Rules for Housing Associations in Wales that were recently accepted by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) have now been published

Potential impacts on the UK of future migration from Bulgaria and Romania

This report includes a section on housing, suggesting that the impact of migration from Bulgaria and Romania on social housing will be minimal

SPSO Publishes Model CHPs for the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and Associated Public Authorities in Scotland

Social housing, lodgers and sub-letting

Response to reports on social housing, lodgers and sub-letting

Digital Deal: Challenge Fund prospectus Orgnisations: Department for Com

Social housing, lodgers and sub-letting

Government response to reports on social housing, lodgers and sub-letting

Supporting customers of temporary and supported accommodation through welfare reform

Network briefing by Lesley Healey

£9.5 million crackdown on social housing cheats

Councils to receive funding to help combat social housing fraud

Landlords are managing their financial health but facing significant financial stress, says Scottish Housing Regulator

Savings on home energy bills

People across Scotland are being urged to seek assistance to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, helping to reduce household energy bills

Landlords are managing their financial health but

Landlords are managing their financial health but facing significant financial stress, says Scottish Housing Regulator

The New Homes Bonus

The NAO believes a review of the New Homes Bonus scheme is essential to ensure the Department understands the substantial financial risks to local authorities

Thousands protected from council tax benefit cuts

Thousands of vulnerable people in Scotland will be protected from increased Council Tax bills following the UK Government’s abolition of council tax benefit this week, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth said

Providing housing support for older and vulnerable people

Older people occupy nearly a third of all homes. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of the projected increase in the number of households from 2008 to 2033 will be headed by someone aged 65 or over

£180 million to help vulnerable stay in their homes

Housing Minister Mark Prisk announces that councils across England will receive a share of the £180 million Disabled Facilities Grant

Funding boost for aspiring self-builders

Housing Minister Mark Prisk relaxes the funding rules for the Community Right to Build

Welfare benefits: the reform timeline

Keep up with welfare reform using HQN’s guide to the major changes from April 2013

The impact of welfare reform on tenants and providers of supported and temporary housing

Complimentary NeighbourhoodNet briefing by Lesley Healey

Congratulations to Yarlington HG

The first organisation in the SW to receive HQN income management accreditation

Tough new housing rules to control immigration

New measures to ensure fair play in taxpayer-funded social housing and stop rogue landlords cashing in from renting homes to illegal migrants were set out by the Prime Minister

Sector continues to weather economic downturn and represents good credit risk for investors – HCA publishes Global

Report from Homes and Communities agency

More affordable homes for Edinburgh

The Scottish Government has granted The City of Edinburgh Council power to borrow up to £21 million to help build up to 160 affordable homes in the city

Statutory homelessness in England: October to December 2012

Minister for Housing compliments HQNs Value for Money guide

Mr Prisk says ‘Your guide very much chimes with the Government’s thinking about the imperative to maximise value for money in the affordable housing sector’

The private rented sector: how effectively is it regulated?

Network briefing by Roger Jarman

£4.5 billion Budget deal to help homebuyers and boost economy

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles welcomes new multi-billion pound housing package

Improving the rented housing sector

New initiative to bring university research direct to housing practitioners

A prestigious new service is set to bring the latest housing research direct to practitioners. The initiative will see a bespoke HQN network launched in April, in partnership with the University of Sheffield’s Department of Town and Regional Planning and the Housing Studies Association (HSA).

Welwyn Hatfield residents scrutiny panel evaluation report