Customer Newsletter February 2013

1Stockport at home - Issue 30 www.stockporthomes.org

!Changesto benefitsWelfare Reform

From October 2013 Housing Benefit

will be paid direct to your bank account through Universal Credit.

/StockportHomes @StockportHomes

www.stockporthomes.org/welfarereform

Tr a n s f o rm i n g L i ve s

Scan here

StockportYour customer newsletter - Issue 30, February 2013

at home

Turn over

to find out more!

2 Stockport at home - Issue 30 www.stockporthomes.orgTr a n s f o rm i n g L i ve s /StockportHomes @StockportHomes

www.stockporthomes.org

StockportYour customer newsletter - Issue 30, February 2013 Customer

friendly

Customers give their viewsat our community count events SEE PAGE 5

at homeTo join our Board, call 0161 474 3511 / 2850 for details.

Board member vacancy

The Government is introducing ‘Universal Credit’. This is a single benefit payment that will replace a number of existing benefits, including Housing Benefit.

In future, Housing Benefit will be paid direct to you through your Universal Credit. This means that you will have to make arrangements to pay your rent to Stockport Homes.

Also, you will only be able to claim Universal Credit online.

1. Get a bank account with a direct debit facility

2. Set up a direct debit payment with Stockport Homes for your rent

3. Develop your budgeting skills

4. Learn how to use computers and the internet

5. Look into where you can access the internet, for example, there is free internet access at libraries and Stockport Direct Centres throughout the Borough


What is Universal Credit?

What do I need to do?

LIBRARY

For more information and advice, please contact theCustomer Finance Team on 0161 474 2677 (east area)or 0161 474 2668 (west area).

Tr a n s f o rm i n g L i ve s /StockportHomes @StockportHomes

www.stockporthomes.org

StockportYour customer newsletter - Issue 30, February 2013 Customer

friendly

Customers give their viewsat our community count events SEE PAGE 5

at homeTo join our Board, call 0161 474 3511 / 2850 for details.

Board member vacancy

Stockport at home - Issue 30 www.stockporthomes.org2

Features inside... Stockport at home

Useful telephone numbers

Develop your skills by volunteering with us

Anti-social behaviour case study

Want to get involved in your local community?

What do pointsmean?

Your feedback counts

Furnish your home for free!

4

14 16 19

6 9

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) 0161 474 3840out-of-hours number

ASB Team (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) 0161 218 1498

Carecall 0161 218 1655

Customer Feedback 0161 474 2600

Customer Finance 0161 474 4050automated payment line

Customer Finance Team 0161 474 2677(east area)

Customer Finance Team 0161 474 2668(west area)

Customer Involvement Team 0161 474 2862

East Area Housing Office 0161 474 4372

Governance Team 0161 474 2850

Homechoice (bidding line) 0161 474 4567

Homechoice (enquiries) 0161 474 2975

Homechoice Support Service 0161 474 2975

Housing Options Team 0161 474 4237

Housing Support Point 0161 474 3719

Investment Programme hotline 0161 474 4407

Leasehold Officer 0161 218 1364

Repairs 0161 217 6016

Resettlement Team 0161 474 3772

Sheltered Housing Service 0161 218 1736

West Area Housing Office 0161 474 4371

Mottram Street

View POINTS

Get involved, be rewarded

CustomerScrutinyPanelOn Target

Want to get into work?


JOBS

If you are a Stockport Homes customer, unemployed and looking for your first job or going back to work, the ‘Into Work’ course will help.

You will:• develop your skills and

confidence;• improve your CV;• get tips on searching and

applying for jobs;

• learn how to prepare for interviews;

• learn how an employer selects staff; and

• visit a local employer / workplace.

The next course is:10 April 2013 to 2 May 2013, 10.00am to 2.30pm(Wednesday and Thursday each week for four weeks).

Offerton Community Centre, Mallowdale Road, Offerton, Stockport SK2 5NX

For more information or to book your place, please contact Gemma at Stockport College on 0161 958 3678 or email [email protected]

Why not join the 140 Stockport residents who are getting helped into the workplace from the European Social Fund Scheme? It gives you the chance of work placements, jobs and apprenticeships.

For more information or to find out if you are eligible, please call Asaf Iqbal Baz, Resettlement Officer on 0161 474 3772 or email [email protected]

European Social Fund Scheme


Did you know?You can save money by moving to a smaller property. For details of our Downsizing Scheme, please contact the Homechoice Team on 0161 474 2975.



Customer Scrutiny Panel improves services

We are a group of customer volunteers who look at Stockport Homes’ services and suggest changes to the Management Team and Board.

So far we have looked at: how Stockport Homes manages empty properties; the Sheltered Housing Service; and the Caretaking Service.

We have the power to improve services. For example, we have found that customers moving into a new home were confused about when outstanding repairs were going to be done, so we asked Stockport Homes to provide a list of all outstanding repairs and explain more clearly

when these will be done. As a result, the number of customers who feel there are ‘outstanding’ repairs on moving in has reduced from 22 per cent to 19 per cent.

For more information on getting involved, please contact Rebecca Horton, Customer Involvement Officer on 0161 218 1368 or email [email protected] or visit www.stockporthomes.org/CSP

Are you reliable, with good communication skills, respect for other people’s views and a keen eye for detail? Looking to get back into work and need to improve your CV?

Now is a great time to consider joining the Customer Scrutiny Panel (CSP) or Board. We are running training throughout the year for customers interested in joining the CSP or the Board. Training includes:

• computer skills;• leadership skills;• report writing;• presentation and

communication skills;• problem solving;• organisational skills; and• partnership working.

For more information on the training available or joining the Board or CSP, please contact Rebecca Horton, Customer Involvement Officer on 0161 218 1368 or Jill Holt, Governance Manager on 0161 474 3511 or email [email protected]

Develop your skills by volunteering with us

Stockport at home - Issue 30 www.stockporthomes.org 5

Community COUNTYou made your...

‘Just Txt’ to donate to H3

Thanks to you, 30 groups received over £22,000 for projects including walking groups, cheerleading teams, bingo nights and community allotments at the December Community Count events.

The Community Fund is available for you to access to help improve the lives of customers and the wider community.

To apply for funding, please visit www.stockporthomes.org/communityfund or pick up a form from your area housing office.

H3 (Helping the Homeless into Housing) is a Stockport-based charity that helps local people who are homeless. It supports homeless people to make their move from temporary to permanent accommodation.

It has signed up to the Vodafone ‘Just Txt’ giving service. To donate money simply text HTHH01 followed by the amount you wish to donate, for example, £1, £2, £3, £5 to 70070. 100 per cent of every donation will assist H3 in its valuable work.

Helping the Homeless into Housing

Text HTHH01 and

your donation to

70070.

www.h-3.org.uk Charity no: 1147113

A customer representative receives a donation from the Community Fund

Did you know?By getting a basic bank account you can pay your rent and bills by direct debit. Please contact the Customer Finance Team on 0161 474 2677 (east) or 0161 474 2668 (west).



Want to get involved in your community?

Want to know more about your area?

Going to your local tenants’ or community group is one of the best ways to find out what is happening in your area, discuss local issues, improve your neighbourhood and meet new people. We work with and help groups in Bredbury, Brinnington, Edgeley, Hazel Grove, Lancashire Hill, Marple,

Romiley and Woodley.For more information about the groups in your area, to set up a new group or if you have an idea for an event that you’d like us to help organise, please contact the Customer Involvement Team on 0161 474 2862 or email [email protected]

Want to know who your neighbourhood housing officer, tenant Board member or Councillor is? Interested in events in your area or finding out when work to improveyour home will take place?

Then visit www.stockporthomes.org/mymap

Bredbury

Woodley

Compstall

HighLane

CheadleHeath

Gatley

HealdGreen

Reddish

AdswoodOfferton Marple

Romiley

Brinnington

CheadleHulme

Cheadle

Bramhall

Edgeley

The Heatons

Lancashire Hill

West

East

i

i

Town Centre

My Map

Hazel Grove

Young Environmental Champions and Brinnington Tenants and Residents Association turning trash into treasure

Did you know?You can pay your rent by direct debit on any day. Please contact the Customer Finance Team on 0161 474 2677 (east) or 0161 474 2668 (west).


Vernon Building Society Jubilee Fund success

H3 (Helping the Homeless into Housing) and Millbrook Community Café received funding to support events and activities in the community.

We’re online!York Street Tenants’ and Residents’ Association received funding to support the Silver Surfers group with new computer equipment.

The group has also helped Edinburgh Close Sheltered Scheme in Cheadle secure funding from Forever Manchester. This will pay for Startpoint to teach residents how to use computers, surf the internet and stay safe online.

Searching for funding for your project?

Together at Cherry TreeCherry Tree Partners (who work with the Friends of Cherry Tree Community Association and the Friends of Tangshutt) have received funding from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund and practical help from Repair 1st. This will allow it to run computer courses and healthy eating classes and support it to improve the community shop on Cherry Tree Estate in Romiley.

Not too Old(ham) to surfOldham Drive Tenants’ Group has received funding from the Co-operative Community Fund and Forever Manchester. This will pay for computer equipment and training courses with Startpoint.

H3 and Millbrook Community Cafe receiving funding from Vernon Building Society

The lunch club celebrate the funding from Forever Manchester and the Cooperative Community Fund

Stockport Homes’ Funding Officer has helped a number of local groups and Stockport Homes projects receive over £154,000 of funding. Here are some examples:

Do you have a project or an idea that requires funding? If so, please contact Mark Rogers, Funding Officer on 0161 474 3463, email [email protected] or visit www.stockporthomes.org/funding

Bredbury

Woodley

Compstall

HighLane

CheadleHeath

Gatley

HealdGreen

Reddish

AdswoodOfferton Marple

Romiley

Brinnington

CheadleHulme

Cheadle

Bramhall

Edgeley

The Heatons

Lancashire Hill

West

East

i

i

Town Centre

My Map

Hazel Grove

FUNDING £

Community Fund

FOREVERMANCHESTER

Projects funded by:


8 Stockport at home - Issue 30 www.stockporthomes.org

Over the festive period Coronation Street fans saw Fiz Brown suffer from deadly carbon monoxide poisoning after Tyrone Dobbs tried to fix her boiler. Fiz was found unconscious on New Year’s Eve after suffering symptoms she had mistaken for flu. Known as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see, taste or smell it, in the last year, over 4,000 people have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and 50 people have died.

To avoid falling victim to dodgy gas work like Fiz, follow these tips: 1. Use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fix, fit or maintain your gas appliances (all Stockport Homes’ engineers are registered).

2. Recognise the symptoms - headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.

3. Don’t assume your gas appliances are safe – we will

check and service those in our tenanted homes free of charge every year. If you are a tenant and you think yours needs doing sooner, tell us straight away. If you are a leaseholder, we can quote for doing yours as well.

4. Buy a carbon monoxide alarm that makes a noise if there are high levels of carbon monoxide in your home.

For more information, please visit www.staygassafe.co.uk

Tackling the silent killer on CORONATION STREET

Leaseholders recognised at STAR Awards

Congratulations to Mike, a leaseholder in Heaton Norris who became ‘Customer of the Year’ at the STAR Awards 2012.

Mike received the award to recognise his hard work, enthusiasm and attention to detail. He has played a key role in improving many of our services through his membership of the Leasehold and Scrutiny Panels.

We would also like to say well done to Jane, a leaseholder in Offerton who was nominated for her work on the Housing Revenue Account Customer Group.

Mike said, “What this shows to me is that Stockport Homes considers all its customers and that as a leaseholder I am equally valued by the organisation. Leaseholders contribute as much as any other group and can make a difference to the services provided to customers. Having been encouraged by Tracy to get involved, I would say to any leaseholder getting involved does make a difference.”

Mike and Tracy Nield with the ‘Customer of the Year’ award

9

What do pointsmean? Prizes!

View POINTS

Get involved, be rewarded

View Points is a customer loyalty scheme that rewards you for getting involved. You can earn points by attending our events or completing surveys*.

For more information or to register for View Points, please contact the Customer Involvement Team on 0161 474 2862, email [email protected] or visit www.stockporthomes.org/viewpoints *Terms and conditions apply.

When you receive information from us there will be a View Points symbol telling you how many points you will receive if you get involved. Every six months we will tell you how many points you have and exchange these for Love2shop vouchers.

25

Views onthe Move

We held our second ‘Views on the Move’ roadshow last summer. Why? To come into your neighbourhoods and ask what is important to you.

We collected the views of 1,000 customers.You told us that being able to speak to the right person easily was most important to you when contacting us. You also said being consulted, privacy, dignity and respect are high on your priority list when we deliver services to you.

These results were discussed at Community Count events in December and they will be used to help update and review our service standards that cover all our services.

Look out for details of this year’s summer roadshow in the next issue of Stockport at home.

Mary was the surprised winner of £100 in Love2shop vouchers for entering into the ‘Views on the Move’ roadshow prize draw.

Stockport at home - Issue 30 www.stockporthomes.org

Did you know?You can learn how to use computers and the internet for free. Please contact the Customer Involvement Team on 0161 474 2862.



Housing officers ‘go mobile’

Neighbourhood Housing Officers are now doing some of their work using mobile computers.

This will allow them to access information when they are out and about in your neighbourhood. Therefore, they don’t have to go back to the office to deal with any queries you might have during visits.

This is more efficient and better for the environment – it is just the start of a real change in how we deliver services to you.

If you would like to be involved in shaping how mobile working is delivered, please contact Emma Crick, Project Manager on 0161 218 1559or email [email protected]

Two new Housing Support Officers have joined the Resettlement Service to give help and advice to customers in the Brinnington and Lancashire Hill tower blocks.

These new officers will help with all sorts of things including debt issues, signposting the way to tenancy support and giving advice about local services.

For more information, please contact Biff Reston, Housing Support Officer on 0161 474 3772 or email [email protected]

New officers give extra help and advice

Stockport Homes’ staff use new mobile computers out in your neighbourhoods.

Did you know?You can get help with budgeting and benefits by contactingour Debt Advice Project Officer on 0161 474 4089.



Do you love gardening?If so, it’s time for you to get your gardening gloves on, your trowel out and start making your garden the best in the Borough! By entering Stockport Homes’ annual gardening competition you

have a chance of winning £150 in vouchers*. There will be a range of categories, including best individual and best communal gardens, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes of high street vouchers awarded in each category.

Keep your eye on www.stockporthomes.org and Facebook and Twitter for details.

*Awarded to the Best in the Borough winner. love your garden

Do you need more bedrooms? Do you have bedrooms that you don’t need?

If so, a mutual exchange where you find another tenant who wants to swap homes could be for you.

Would you like a range of choices in looking for a new home?

Interested? To find out more, please contact theHomechoice Team on 0161 474 2975 or email [email protected]

Positive action against anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Interested in reducing crime in your area?

In each issue of Stockport at home we give you a breakdown of the legal action taken against people who have committed ASB. Here is a breakdown for October 2012 to December 2012:

Type of legal action Oct - Dec 2012 Year to dateNotice of Seeking Possession 3 5Postponed Possession Orders 1 1Outright Possession Orders 2 3Evictions 0 0Notice to Terminate (introductory tenants) 0 3Notice to Extend (introductory tenants) 1 6Demotion Notices 0 0Injunctions 11 28Undertakings 3 8Closure Orders 0 0Commital 3 14Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) 1 5Noise Abatement Notice 0 0Acceptable Behaviour Contract 1 6Total 26 79

If so, you can register free with Ringmaster, a community messaging portal.

It sends you messages (by email, text or phone) including advice on how to

reduce crime, crime alerts or witness appeals and events in your local area. The portal is run by the Safer Stockport Partnership and includes Stockport Council, Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Anti-social behaviourTOGETHER WE CANSTAMP IT OUT

ASB

For more information or to join Ringmaster, please visit http://ssp.community-messaging.net or call the Community Safety Unit at Stockport Council on 0161 474 3143.


Focus on...Tools and powers to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB)The Government is changing the powers that social landlords, the Police and councils have to tackle ASB. The current 19 powers will be replaced with six simpler ones. The new powers are:

1. The Crime Prevention Injunction

A court order to stop ASB quickly, providing immediate relief for victims. It is for adults and young people aged between 10 and 17. It replaces the Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) and the Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI).

We can use this tool.

2. The Criminal Behaviour Order

A court order to prevent ASB by individuals who have a criminal conviction. It replaces the ASBO only when the person is convicted.

The Crown Prosecution Service can use this tool, but we can influence its decision.

3. Police Directions Power

This allows police officers to tell someone who has committed, or is likely to commit ASB to leave an area for up to 48 hours.

This tool is only available to the Police, but we can influence its decision.

4. The Community Protection Notice

This deals with on-going problems or nuisances which negatively affect the community. For example, graffiti, skateboarding and dog fouling.

Only the Police and Council can use this power, but we can influence their decisions.

5. Community Protection Order (public spaces)

This deals with nuisance in particular public areas like parks or problem alleyways.

Only the Council can use this power, but we can influence its decision.

6. Community Protection Order (closure)

This replaces crack house and ASB Closure Orders. It can be used when a property has been used for dealing drugs or involved in serious and persistent ASB.

The Police and Council can use this power, but we can influence their decisions if they relate to one of our properties.

If you have any questions, please contact Claire Wakefield, ASB Team Leader on 0161 474 4403 or email [email protected]

RESPECT Give respect Get respect


We have continued to tackle drunken anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods and in particular we have focused on Mottram Street.

We successfully obtained injunctions against seven residents and visitors who continued to behave in an anti-social manner despite being warned of what would happen if they didn’t stop. All of the residents were offered help from the Drug and Alcohol Services.

Four of the residents ignored their Injunctions and were arrested, taken to court within 24 hours and sent to prison.

Lee Ogden August 2012 - Jailed for 42 days

August 2012 - Jailed for 84 days

December 2012 - Jailed for 120 days

Michael Ogden August 2012 - Received a deferred sentence

Bridgette Ward Jailed four times for breaching her Injunction by entering Lincoln Towers.

April 2012 - Jailed for 84 days

July 2012 - Jailed for 12 weeks

September 2012 - Jailed for 16 weeks

November 2012 - Jailed for 26 weeks

Carmel Andrews July 2012 - Received a suspended sentence for entering Ratcliffe Towers

October 2012 - Jailed for 84 days

January 2013 - Banned from the Mottram Street neighbourhood

If you see any of these people in the Mottram Street neighbourhood please call the police on 999.

!

Mottram Street RESPECT Give respect Get respect

Did you know?You can get help getting into work by contacting our Employment and Volunteering Support Officer on 0161 474 2836.



Performance super six (October – December 2012)

We are on target...

We are almost there...

96of customers are happy with how

we deal with anti-social behaviour.

Vulnerable people supported tomaintain independent living:

97.9satisfaction with the Repairs Service.

12 Average of

to re-let empty properties.DAYS

99.7% of homes have a valid gas safety certificate.

Vulnerable people supported to maintain independent living (teen pregnancy - 96%)

of rent and water charges are being collected.99.4%

97üResettlement

98.2üTenancy support

The super six is a set of performance indicators chosen by customers because they matter most to you. We’re a top performing Arm’s Length Management Organisation in most areas. If our performance is under target we are

working with customers and staff to improve. For more information, please contact Adam Howell, Business Support Officer on 0161 474 4497 or email [email protected]

Did you know?You can move to a smaller property to save money by swapping homes with another tenant. Please contact the Homechoice Team on 0161 474 2975.




We welcome feedback from customers as it can be used to improve our services. We split feedback into compliments or complaints.

To make a complaint or compliment, please contact the Performance and Improvement Team on 0161 474 2600 or email [email protected]

Your feedback counts

Customer complaints

Customer compliments

Between October and December 2012, we received 129 complaints. While complaints tend to relate to individual issues, it is also possible to identify some common themes. For example:

We received 267 compliments between October and December 2012. Here is a selection of recent ones:

Approximately 10 per cent of customers who complained, complained about the customer service they received from staff.

Following this feedback, three members of staff were given more guidance about how they deal with customers.

Although less that four per cent of all complaints related to the allocations service, half of those received highlight that better information could be provided about the Allocations Policy.

The wording of the letters sent to customers about their bidding points has been changed to better reflect the Allocations Policy. Changes have also been made to the allocations information on the website, including a section being added to explain how nominations to housing associations work.

36 per cent of complaints related to the repairs service and during the winter months these are often about heating problems. A typical example of this is customers receiving several visits to fix the problem before the root cause was identified.

The repairs team have identified this as an issue and are working to stop this happening.

“ The resettlement team is very helpful, impartial and caring.”

“ Thank you for arranging the level access shower – it’s brilliant and improved my life 100 per cent.”

“ New windows are fab! No cold coming in and no noise and whistling anymore; I can finally sleep well.”

“ Thank you for help and assistance in getting my new home, where I have settled and am very happy.”

“ Emailed for repair, job done in less than 24 hours. That’s good service.”


Fire safety ambassadors start work in Brinnington

A scheme has been launched in Brinnington to train young people to be fire safety ambassadors. This is being run by Stockport Homes, the Safer Stockport Partnership, Greater

Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and BEAP (a partnership of three secondary schools - Werneth, Harrytown and Reddish Vale Academy).

The aim is to raise awareness of fire safety. The young people will attend weekly sessions, and share what they have learnt at school and in their community. As part of the project they will work towards the Bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, which will help them in future training or employment.

Anyone with a few hours a week to spare who would like to volunteer on similar projects with GMFRS can find out more and apply at http://manchesterfire.gov.uk/working_for_us.aspx

Do you have a workingsmoke alarm at home?

www.facebook.com/firekills

1 2 3 4

If not you are four times more likely to die if a fire starts in your home

226 people die each year in fires in their homes, caused by smoking materials, cooking, candles and other things such as faulty electrical wiring or appliances.

You can reduce the risk of fire in your home by following some simple fire safety steps.Social housing landlords have a responsibility to you and your home and must ensure that gas and electrical appliances they supply are safe and in good working order. Your landlord may also fit smoke alarms in shared accommodation and communal areas. Speak to your landlord if you have any questions or concerns. Contact your local Fire and Rescue Service for further fire safety information.

In the event of a fire

Don’t attempt to tackle a fire yourselfGet out, stay out and call 999

Fit smoke alarms on each level of your home

Test your smoke alarms weekly.Never remove the batteries.

Put it out. Right out!Make sure you put cigarettes out properly and never smoke in bed.

Plan an escaperoute and make sure everyone knows it and where door and window keys are kept.

Top tip Top tip Top tip Top tip

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service welcome the new fire safety ambassadors


Repair 1st is leading the way!

Repair 1st continues to develop its range of services and now includes CCTV / door entry work, schools, social lettings, mortgage rescue, empty homes and council buildings.

All this is being done to strengthen our services and performance to our customers and to make more of a difference within Stockport, transforming lives for the positive and helping the local community.

Repair 1st has been recognised at two national awards for providing an excellent and innovative service.

ST

Repair 1st collecting the ‘Construction and Building Service - Internal Service Team of the Year’ award at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards

Repair 1st receiving the ‘Best Direct Labour Organisation’ award at the Best Practice in Maintenance Awards

Did you know?You will only be able to claim ‘Universal Credit’ online. So, if you don’t have access to the internet at home, you can access it free of charge at libraries and Stockport Direct Centres across the Borough. Call 0161 217 6009 for details.



Please use the paper / card labelled bin to recycle:

Please use the glass / plastic bottles / cans labelled bin to

recycle:

Cartons

PhoneDirectories Envelopes

Cardboard

Paper

Glass

AerosolsEmpty

Cans

Bottles

Plastic

Know where to throwNo thanks:

Plastic film

Plastic food trays

Yoghurt pots / plastic bags

Remember to:

WASHOUT

If you have unwanted clothing, curtains, towels or bedding please contact the H3 group on 0161 218 1036 to arrange a collection.

Helping the Homeless into Housing

If you have any queries, please contact the West Area Housing Team on 0161 474 4371 or the East Area Housing Team on 0161 474 4372.

Furnish your home for FREE!

We are launching a project called ‘Furniture Stop’, where you can swap or donate unwanted furniture. It is being set up in the tower blocks in Brinnington, where there will also be seven mini furniture showrooms. If it proves successful, it will be rolled out across the Borough.

To find out more and see the furniture on offer, come along to one of the fun days where there will be an Easter egg hunt, free face painting, DJ, bouncy castle and healthy food on offer: Lenham Towers, Brinnington, 4 April 2013, 2.00pm – 6.00pm

Conway Towers, Brinnington, 5 April 2013, 2.00pm – 6.00pm

Would you like to volunteer to help manage the project or learn new skills? Do you have any furniture to donate? For more information, please contact Chris McDermott, Neighbourhood Housing Officer on 0161 474 3739 or email [email protected]

Kath Jones, Resettlement Team Leader receiving funding for the ‘Furniture Stop’


When somebody with a council or housing association home rents it without permission or obtains a home by providing false details, they are guilty of tenancy fraud.

BLOW THE WHISTLE ONHOUSING CHEATS

If you suspect someone of tenancy fraud, contact us: Freephone 0808 901 9300,[email protected] or visit www.stockporthomes.org/fraud

Your report will be private and you don’t have to give your name.

Diversity and accessibilityYou can get free copies of newsletters and other documents from Stockport Homes on audiotape, CD or in large print.

For more information, please contact Phil Rhodes on telephone 0161 474 2860, text 07891 949 399, email [email protected] or write to Social Inclusion Team, Corporate Services Directorate, 2nd Floor, 1 St. Peter’s Square, Stockport SK1 1NZ

This newsletter includes information about Stockport Homes’ events and services. A free interpreting service is available if you need help with this newsletter. Please telephone Stockport Interpreting Unit on 0161 477 9000. Email:[email protected]

Portuguese

Farsi

Chinese

Urdu

Arabic

Polish

Please recycle this newsletter in an appropriate way.

Paper from responsiblesources. MIX FSC C002977


From April 2013, Stockport Homes’ tenants who have a ‘spare’ room (under the new Government rules) will lose some Housing Benefit.

It only affects people of working age who claim Housing Benefit, so if you (or your partner) are not claiming Housing Benefit, or are old enough to claim Pension Credit in April 2013, you will not be affected.

1. Pay the extra money yourself

2. Move to a smaller property or apply for a joint tenancy

3. Check if you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to

4. Get energy and water advice to help you save money

5. Get debt advice or contact Stockport Homes for help finding a job

What are my options?

What are the changes relating to spare bedrooms?


For more information and advice, please contact the East Area Housing Office on 0161 474 4372 or the West Area Housing Office on 0161 474 4371.

£?

£

JOB


/StockportHomes @StockportHomes


Tr a n s f o rm i n g L i ve s

Scan hereTurn over

to find out more!


From April 2013 if you have

spare bedrooms and are of working

age you may lose between £10 - £22 per week in Housing Benefit.

Date post:	27-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	stockport-homes
View:	220 times
Download:	1 times

Customer Newsletter February 2013

Documents