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For Origin Housing customers in London and Hertfordshire
IN THEKNOW
2014AUTUMN
Recycling...Pg 6 | Improving your home...Pg 10 | Own more of your home ...Pg 12 | ...and much more
IN THIS ISSUE
HOUSING
02
AUTUMN 2014
03
IN THE KNOW
Help us make a difference to your neighbourhood
News
Lee Housing Association, based in Ponder’s End, was formed in the 1960s to provide affordable housing to Middlesex University students.
The University moved in 2010 and, as a result, Lee broadened its work to provide housing and support for single homeless people in Enfi eld. They provide 305 units of shared accommodation, 36 self-contained homes and own three commercial properties.Lee’s Board decided that to improve the standard of
News
What’s been going on?
Recycling
Resident involvement
Regeneration Your Neighbourhood Team
Improving your home
Own more of your home
3
4-5
6
7
8
9
10-11
12
Customer contact centre: 0800 040 7989
Email: enquiries@
originhousing.org.uk
@originhousing
Origin Housing
Get in touch
There are several ways that you can get in touch with us. We are on Facebook and Twitter, so if you have an account with them, sign up today to follow us and keep up to date with Origin news and activities.
Origin Housing St Richards House 110 Eversholt St | London | NW1 1BS
Contents
In the Know is Origin Housing’s newsletter for residents and customers.
We welcome your contributions and value your feedback.
If you have any comments on this edition, or suggestions for the future, please contact us (details on page 3) or email: communications@
originhousing.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
About us
Welcome to In the Know, our newsletter for all Origin customers. This edition is jam packed with the latest news and opportunities to get involved.
As Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods, part of my job is to make sure the services you receive from the Neighbourhoods and Estate Services Team meet a high standard. We’ve been busy getting our new Estate Service team in place and learning from customer feedback on how satisfi ed you are with your Neighbourhood Manager.
It’s early days, and we’ve still got a long way to go to deliver a great service, but we’re heading in the right direction.
We’re excited to announce that we’ve started planning a regeneration programme
for the Sidney Estate, which you can fi nd out more about on page 8. You can also read about the work already carried out as part of the regeneration programme to the Griffi n Estate. If you’ve got ideas for improvements to your area or estate, then you can apply for money from our Neighbourhood Improvement Fund.
For example, if you think you’ve got an idea to help tackle anti-social behaviour, or want to hold a community event or improve the security where you live, then see page 7 for more information on the Neighbourhood Improvement Fund and get in touch.
If you want to fi nd out the best way to contact your Neighbourhood Manager, you’ll fi nd contact details and a photo on page 9 to help you get in touch directly. You’ll also know who to look out for next time they visit your estate or area.
Paula SteelAssistant Director of Neighbourhoods
“With your feedback and our Neighbourhood Panel guiding us, we know we’re on the right path.”
Lee Housing Association to join Origin
‘Long overdue’ plaques unveiled for Fr Basil Jellicoe in Camden
The contribution made by Fr Basil Jellicoe to improving quality of life through housing in Somers Town has been offi cially marked by two plaques.
The clergyman successfully campaigned to replace slums around St Pancras and Euston with decent affordable homes in the
housing and increase services, they needed to merge with a partner.
In March this year, Origin became Lee’s merger partner of choice. Lee liked our ideas and the fact that we are a friendly and approachable organisation.
It’s an exciting time as this means we will be a key stakeholder in plans for the well-needed regeneration of the Ponders End area. Both organisations have gone through relevant checks and approvals and the transfer is set to take place by the end of September.
If you have any questions about this, please contact us.
1920s and 30s – and this was the beginnings of Origin Housing.
The plaques were offi cially unveiled by the Deputy Mayor of Camden, Cllr Lazarro Pietragnoli, at a ceremony attended by residents, councillors, Origin staff and other community representatives.
Cllr Roger Robinson, who represents St Pancras and Somers Town on Camden Council, said: “Fr Jellicoe has never really had proper recognition, so this is long overdue. I am really delighted that Origin has done this.”
04
AUTUMN 2014
05
IN THE KNOW
This monthly session gives over 60s an opportunity to meet friends for a chat and take part in activities such as quizzes, games, art, crafts and dance. You can also meet Origin staff and fi nd out more about other things going on in the community, or discuss housing related services.
The Cream Tea Club meets at Basil Jellicoe Hall, Drummond Crescent, Camden, from 10.30am to 1pm.
The next one is Thursday 9 October. For more information, contact 0207 209 9222.
Healthy Lifestyles
Residents at Robert Morton retirement scheme completed a six week line dancing course. Sessions were run by Emma Weir from the Mary Ward Centre in Camden. Residents said it was lots of fun! The Mary Ward Centre has agreed to run the sessions again.
Join the Cream Tea Club!
Service users’ summer party
Users of our support services for adults with learning disabilities enjoyed a summer party, with activities and a barbecue.
Staff joined the fun and a good time was had by all!
Our Community Development team supported a project for 12 to 15 year-olds to design their own T shirt. They were given an award from our ‘Community Chest’ which funds local projects.
What’s been going on?
Older residents enjoy cakes, tea and bingo at a meeting of the Somers Town Cream Tea Club.
The Camden Community Choir performed to an audience for the fi rst time at South Bank, London. They sang with Castlehaven and Mary Ward singers to form the Mary Ward Chorus and sing to passers-by on the street.
One singer, Jeanne, said: “Thanks to brilliant preparation, I had confi dence and loved every minute of the singing. Everything from the mass warm-up, to the workshops and performances was fun and deeply rewarding.”
The choir is supported by Origin’s Community Development team and meets every Tuesday at Basil Jellicoe Hall, Camden. It’s free to join and open to all residents.
If you’d like to be involved in future, please come along on Tuesday afternoons – you don’t need to be a good singer, just have a love of singing and a desire to meet others who share your passion.
Choir’s first concert
06
AUTUMN 2014
07
IN THE KNOW
Quality used furniture at affordable prices
Neighbourhood Improvement Fund
Learn to fix your broken gadgets
If you are looking for quality furniture at affordable prices, then visit ReStore in Tottenham Hale.
This eco community-based organisation takes donations of used furniture and items from property clearances and restores them to a good enough condition to sell on to new owners at prices way below those in high street stores.
This is great for households on a budget who are in need of furniture, household appliances and white goods. It also reduces the amount of waste sent to landfi ll. Staff and volunteers at the site assess the condition of new stock and carry out any minor work necessary to put the goods on sale in the warehouse.
For more information, visit: www.restorecommunityprojects.org or call 0208 493 0900.
Is there something that needs improvement in your neighbourhood? Would you like to make a real difference where you live? Then you could apply for some money through the Neighbourhood Improvement Fund.
You can bid for funding at any point in the year. If you’d like to fi nd out more please contact your Neighbourhood Manager (details on page 9).
Recycling Resident involvement
Join us on community action days
Coming soon - a programme of resident ‘estate days’ to fi nd out how you think we could improve your neighbourhood.
Dates have yet to be fi nalised, but to fi nd out when yours is taking place, speak to your Neighbourhood Manager (details on page 9), visit our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Scrutiny PanelThe Resident Scrutiny Panel’s job is to review Origin’s services from a resident perspective. They have now completed their second review on complaints. You can see this in full on our website under the ‘Get Involved’ section.
Their fi rst review was into Service Charges and Estate Services. Some of the changes as a result of these reviews include:
• Setting up a specifi c Service Charge Team to be responsible for setting and monitoring service charges
• Setting up an internal bulky rubbish collection and pest control services to improve quality and reduce costs
• Introducing a pictorial guide for estate inspections to ensure that we meet our standards
• Training more staff to understand the Service Charge process
• Introducing a new complaints tracking system.
We are still working on delivering more of their recommendations over the next year. The Scrutiny Panel’s next review will be Voids and Lettings. If you have any feedback on this subject, email [email protected]
For more information about the Scrutiny Panel contact Tom Forty, Business Improvement Offi cer, on 0207 209 9307 or email [email protected]
Individual residents in Enfi eld have recently been fi ned for leaving rubbish in communal areas. We are targeting people that dump rubbish and you could be charged for doing this.
Avoid fines for fly-tipping
To avoid this contact your local council or Re-use to collect large items and dispose of your rubbish in the bins provided.
Origin supports ‘Restart’ parties.
These regular events enable you to get broken appliances fi xed and learn basic skills for mending items safely yourself in future, which can save buying costly new items when you don’t need to!
At a recent party at Kentish Town, one of the restored items belonged to Charlene Lestrade’s daughter J’Deanne (pictured). Charlene said: “It was a good event and J’Deanne got her DS fi xed.”
To fi nd out more about ‘Restart’ parties, visit www.therestartproject.org
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AUTUMN 2014
09
IN THE KNOW
Your Neighbourhood TeamRegeneration
Anna SkermanHead of NeighbourhoodManagement
[email protected] 713667
Stacey WalkesBrent, Barnet and Haringey
[email protected] 07712 767 027
Assiah AwalehSenior NeighbourhoodManager for Inner London
Camden and Islington
[email protected] 402365
Jessica AhmetWatford and Harrow
[email protected] 912961
Mark LeeCamden
[email protected] 804461
Clare DaviesCamden
[email protected] 584717
Jade HansleCamden
[email protected] 765955
Jacqui JirapureSenior NeighbourhoodManager for Outer Londonand Hertfordshire
Brent and Haringey
[email protected] 713658
For both teams you can also call our main number on 020 7209 9222 or 0800 040 7989.
Nuvin RamiahBarnet and Stevenage
[email protected] 527019
Clare SavilleEnfi eld
[email protected] 584715
Gillian BleasdellMonday – Wednesday Camden, Thursday and Friday Enfi eld
[email protected] 07909 967 304
IN THE KNOW
09
Griffin Close improvements under way
Origin Housing is starting a programme of physical building work and community initiatives on the Sidney Estate in Somers Town. We’re in the early stages, and it’s really important that you tell us what you think.
We’re planning on making a whole host of improvements to the buildings, but we want to make sure we start with the things that are most important to you. Please take just fi ve minutes to complete our questionnaire on our website. As our front cover image shows, we want to talk to you and fi nd out what you think.
We’re really keen to keep in touch with you, so if you’ve got any comments, questions or ideas, just drop us an email on [email protected], or contact a member of the team on the details below.
The Sidney Estate Project Team is still growing. At the moment they are:
Mark Lee, Neighbourhood Manager020 7209 9207 [email protected]
Jon Foster, Resident Involvement Coordinator020 7209 9267 [email protected]
Bob Watts, Assistant Director of Property Services020 7209 9337 [email protected]
Our regeneration project at Griffi n Close has been going ahead with improvements to the estate, in consultation with residents.
Here’s a summary of work carried out so far:
• All secondary communal doors have been replaced
• Boundary railings have been put in place
• We have applied to Brent Council regarding having a timed gate next to Waterford Way. Brent Council have rejected this proposal and we are considering what to do next
• Our partners Gilmartins are clearing all gutters
• Walkway covers are being cleaned
• Dry riser outlets have been replaced
• Damaged communal windows are going to be replaced
• Paving is being repaired and we are looking to continue this in the next fi nancial year
• We are putting in improved lighting
• Signage is going to be put up around the estate.
Residents have given us lots of feedback on what they consider a priority and what’s working well or needs improvement. To fi nd out more contact Jacqui Jirapure Senior Neighbourhood Manager on 020 8618 0138or the Customer Contact Centre on 0800 040 7989.
Live on the Sidney estate? Have your say on its future.
10 11
IN THE KNOW
Subletting: it’s not worth it
AUTUMN 2014
Renting your Origin home to someone else is illegal.
It is now a criminal offence for tenants of social housing properties to rent their home, or part of it, to anyone else.
That means if you are given a tenancy with Origin, you must live in the property. You cannot rent it, or any part of it, to someone else (this does not include tenants who have previously been granted permission by Origin to take in a lodger).
We are able to use information and records we hold to identify properties which we suspect are being sublet. If we suspect
Origin will be starting to provide services to you directly that were previously carried out by external contractors.
We are now launching our in-house pest control service so that we can deliver a more cost-effective service for our residents.
Our pest control service will cover communal parts of our properties and where there is a risk of infestation.
We will also carry out some pest control services within resident’s properties for vulnerable residents.
If you would like to fi nd out more or report a pest control issue please contact us on 0800 040 7989.
Pest control
Improving your home
Keeping heat in to keep fuel bills lower
New lighting trials for communal areas
Last year we carried out work to Brereton and Edith Neville Cottages, Ian Hamilton House, St Margaret’s House and St Joan’s House, fi xing external cladding to the walls. This cladding insulates the home, reducing the amount of heat escaping.
The work does take a while to complete but once it’s done, it will reduce your bills on average by around £260 per year.
Over the next four years we will be tackling all our solid walled properties and will be sending out local newsletters in good time so you can offer your views and look at the cladding going onto your walls.
Our partners in this work, Climate Energy, provide a free of charge telephone service to our tenants. They can advise on how to save energy, the supply of gas and electric and what grants you may be entitled to in relation to fuel debt. The free phone number is 0800 054 6816.
We are trialling new Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting for communal and external areas. These lights are now considered to be more reliable and cost-effective – they can reduce electrical consumption by two thirds and last ten times longer than standard 2D tube lighting.
Food banks for those in crisisOrigin is a registered voucher holder for food banks in Camden and Enfi eld, which means we are able to identify, assess, support and assign vouchers to vulnerable customers. Food banks provide three days’ worth of non-perishable food during diffi cult times.
Email [email protected] or [email protected] to fi nd out more.
a property is being rented to someone other than the person stated on the tenancy agreement, we will investigate and take action.
We would also ask neighbours who notice anything suspicious to report this to Origin – this could be a high turnover of people moving in and out or maybe the sudden departure of a tenant very quickly replaced by another (bear in mind it takes Origin approximately 11 days to fi ll an empty home).
If you are found to be subletting, you will lose your tenancy – you cannot just move back in yourself. The maximum penalty for dishonestly subletting your home is an unlimited fi ne and up to two years in prison. You could also be ordered to pay back any profi ts made.
Our Neighbourhood Team are investigating subletting and working closely with local authorities to fi nd any resident who is committing fraud. Since June we have:
• Found fi ve sublet properties; we are taking legal action against those we suspect are responsible
• Had one property handed back to Origin following discovery of subletting
• Discovered several abandoned properties which we are recovering so they can be rented out again
If you are concerned about subletting, or suspect it is happening near you, please contact us.
12
Have a bigger slice of the cake
Origin Housing are encouraging existing shared ownership home owners to staircase up – or ‘Have a bigger slice of the cake’.
There is now a dedicated page on our Origin sales website, www.originsales.co.uk, with plenty of information and an innovative staircasing calculator, so you can easily see how much you can increase your share by and the costs involved. Staircasing is the process of buying additional shares in your shared ownership property. Eventually, you can staircase up 100 percent, owning the property outright, as if you had bought it on the open market.
By owning an increased share of your home, you will pay less rent on the unowned share and make more profi t selling your home (if the value of your home has increased).
If you are one of our shared ownership home owners, and are considering staircasing up, or are a resident considering shared ownership, check out our sales website:www.originsales.co.uk/staircasing or visit our Facebook page, to fi nd out more.
Translation
In the Know is your magazine where you can fi nd out the latest news from Origin Housing. It is available in other languages, large print, braille or in print by contacting 0800 040 7989
رخآ ىلع عالطالا كل حيتت يتلا كتلجم يه تاغلب ةرفوتم ةلجملا .جنزواه نيجيروأ رابخأ مجحلا .In the Know ةريبآ تاعبطب وأ ىرخأ .ةيقرو تاعبط يف وأ ليارب ةقيرطب وأ مقرلا ىلع لاصتالاب اهيلع لوصحلا كنكمي0800 040 7989
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In the Know waa wargeyskaaga meesha aad ka helikarto akhbaarta cusub ee ugu dambeyso ee ka socota Origin Housing. Waa lagu heli karaa luuqado kale, qoraal waaweyn, qoraalka indhoolaha ama isagoo daabacan ee nagala soo xiriir lambarkan 0800 040 7989
In the Know es tu revista donde puedes ver las ultimas noticias de Origin Housing. Esta disponible en otros idiomas, en letras grandes, en braille o en la imprenta llamandonos al 0800 040 7989
In the Know est votre magazine dans lequel vous pouvez trouver les dernières nouvelles d’Origin Housing. Il est disponible dans d’autres langues, en gros caractères, en braille ou en version imprimée en appellant 0800 040 7989
‘In the Know’ Origin Housing’in en son heberlerini içinde bulabileceğiniz mecmuadır. Başka dillerde, büyük baskı, braille, ve baskı olarak mevcuttur. Daha fazla bilgi için bu numarayı arayabilirsiniz 0800 040 7989
Origin Housing | St Richards House | 110 Eversholt St | London NW1 1BS
T | 020 7209 9222 E | [email protected]
