POSHperspective on social housing
Issue 19 - Autumn 11 www.nifha.org
2 - posh autumn 11
CONTENTS
Contact detailsNIFHA6c Citylink Business ParkAlbert StreetBelfast, BT12 4HB
T: 028 9023 0446F: 028 9023 8057E: [email protected]: www.nifha.orgT: http://twitter.com/NIFHA
© NIFHA 2011
Please note: the views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of NIFHA.
Inside POSH 3 The Front Cover Story
4 Asset Management?
5 A word from the CEx6-7 Welfare Reform Bill 2010-11
8 Housing Benefi t focus
9-12 Focus on...Ulidia
13 Associated News
14-15 Awarding Times
16-17 Building : Sustaining : Supporting
18 Beyond the Boundary
19 NIFHA Members
Follow us on
NIFHA cares about the environment – POSH is printed in Northern Ireland with biodegradable vegetable inks and using paper with at least 50% recycled content from sustainable managed forests. When you are fi nished with it please ensure it is sent for recycling to help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfi ll. Thank you.
The Chair: Review and Renew
As 2011 moves into its fi nal months we have an opportunity to refl ect and lay the ground
work to create a revitalised sector in 2012, one which is fi t for purpose.
The last few years have seen a number of reviews and initiatives from which I trust we will have positive change. They include the Commission on the Future of Housing in Northern Ireland, the Welfare Reform Bill 2010-11 and the independent fundamental review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. All of these have the potential to bring about a very different housing association sector and we must be geared up to the many changes ahead. NIFHA too has undertaken internal research with members and stakeholders as we work to position ourselves to meet our new realities.
We recognise that as a sector it is essential we have the skills and capabilities to operate effectively within a growing housing crisis. Housing associations deliver quality services to people who are amongst the most vulnerable in our society. However, there are many external pressures which will have enormous impact for both our tenants and our businesses in the coming years.
As waiting lists grow and available government funds are stretched, or reduced, the challenge of accommodating the thousands of people for whom home ownership is no longer an option will test not just our creativity but that of the sector’s many stakeholders. The ongoing economic uncertainty, unfi nished housing as contractors go into administration and the forthcoming changes in Welfare Benefi ts are just a few of the other factors which indicate there is a real need to reconfi gure our whole housing system. We do not and should not work in isolation.
In tandem with my colleagues in our movement I recognise it is time for change. I am determined to do my part and support others to provide effective solutions targeted at meeting the needs of our community. At the centre remains our purpose of providing good quality affordable homes to those who need them but changes are required. Time for Change was chosen as the theme for NIFHA’s 2011 Conference and it is a good starting point for us all to take the time to review what we do, ask the key questions and begin the renewal process.
I encourage all our partners whether in government, the DSD, the NIHE, the private sector, the construction industry or in banking to join us in exploring ways of delivering fresh ideas and making recovery a reality.
John PattersonChair
John PattersonChair
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FRONT COVER STORY
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Preserving our Heritage
Connswater Homes has created 30 apartments for social rent at Mersey Street Primary School – a grade B1 listed site. It represents an investment of nearly
£5m in the east Belfast area.
Pictured on the front cover is Eva McCready who is thrilled to move into one of the apartments. Her children were all educated at the former primary school and she lived very close by for much of her life. She was delighted to see the former school, which was opened in 1931 and provided education on the site until August 2006, being used to create homes for the area.
After consultation with the local community regarding the site the NI Housing Executive nominated Connswater Homes to develop the historic building and its environs to provide much needed social and affordable homes for the area.
To convert the existing redundant school into social housing with minimal intervention to the building’s historic character and fabric was central to the development. Connswater Homes together with their architects liaised closely with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA – Historic Buildings) to develop a sensitive design solution. Together they delivered a sustainable project giving this part of Belfast’s built heritage a new lease of life.
By working in partnership with NIEA Historic Buildings, Connswater Homes has been able to convert most of the old classrooms directly into apartments by developing into the existing roof space. This has allowed bedrooms to be located in a mezzanine level which fronts the internal courtyard.
Work began in March 2010. During the 18 month construction period over 40 sub-contractors were employed in the site’s conversion and refurbishment. The original façade has been retained and some 88 people will be provided with a much needed roof over their head.
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The redevelopment at Mersey St PS
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ASSET MANAGEMENT
Ahead of Conference 2011
self-confessed ‘evangelist for the property people’ Mike Trant (Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership - DGHP) gives his views on assets.
At CIH-Scotland’s repairs and asset management conference a number of the sessions concentrated on the relatively new specialism ‘asset management’. Workshops included: the magnifi cent seven strands of strategic asset management; Strategic Financial Planning & NPV and the importance of stock condition information.
“Nobody knows what it is” was possibly the most telling delegate comment. My post conference refl ection raised a number of questions including does asset management have relevance in today’s social housing sector or is it just the latest fad that will be replaced by something else in a few years time or is it what we are already doing but we do not have (or need) a name for it?
DGHP is a large scale stock transfer organisation with around 10,300 homes; I am its Asset Management and Policy Manager. Primarily the post concentrates on improving our stock but it has wider responsibilities covering performance, property intelligence and strategy. The CIH conference left me wondering if my main role concentrates solely on property improvement and maintenance and in truth I help manage the organisation’s property assets (land, shops, garages and other non-housing areas) which, according to some, may be a very different thing from asset management!
To help focus my mind I have accepted two conference speaking invitations to discuss Asset Management. My working title “Nobody knows what it is” is helping with much soul searching on: what are assets; whose responsibility is asset
management; should we dispose of failing stock and is it ok to have negative value stock?
Is defi ning asset management as ‘the right house, in the right place, at the right time’ too glib? There are many instances of associations and private developers building homes in what was perceived as the ‘right place’ only for them to be unwanted, un-lettable or un-saleable. Jobs such as Head of or Director of Asset Management have appeared. But looking at the description it talks about planned programmes of investment, repairs, gas servicing and even managing a Direct Labour Organisation. In the past these jobs were all property or property management related activities and not what is perceived as the much broader Asset Management. Does this simply perpetuate confusion?
In Scotland our homes are getting older and we face the challenge they no longer meet housing need and aspiration. We have ambitious targets for cutting carbon emissions by 42% by 2020 and a changing demography means a more diverse range of age and tenants to be accommodated. Whatever we do with these homes, remodelling or redevelopment, it has to be undertaken in an ever tightening funding climate.
By mentioning tenant profi le, the age of homes, climate change and the challenging fi nancial times we are operating in, have I drifted more, into asset management than the management of assets? This is why asset management is so confusing!
My main questions, which I trust may be resolved during the seminars I am facilitating, are: whose job is responsibility for asset management? And is your asset management plan designed to support and help deliver your Association’s business plan, vision, values and objectives?
I think the answer to the fi rst is - it is everyone’s job; asset management is only truly achieved if we all actively participate to make our homes and tenants’ experience better. With regard to the second I believe it should be designed to support and deliver the Association’s over-arching aim. However, I am willing to hear what others have to say and together I am determined we will demystify asset management. Hopefully there will be a ‘eureka’ moment, or two, as well on the journey.
Asset Management/Management of the assets?
Mike Trant, Asset Management and Policy Manager, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership
From my perspective in Northern Ireland, it seems the 2007 Cave Report1 answered these and many other questions for England at that time. What’s more, it has greatly infl uenced the way regulation has since been structured and undertaken.
I understand Cave’s thinking has also infl uenced the new regulation systems that apply to social housing in Wales and Scotland.
Regulation features prominently in current housing policy discussions in Northern Ireland but debate has generally focused on the scope of regulation rather than more fundamental questions. A law requiring registration of private landlords has been passed and consultants appointed by the Minister for Social Development are recommending the establishment of a new Non-Departmental Public Body, funded mainly by fees with a supplement from the taxpayer, to regulate all housing in Northern Ireland and determine (or at least set an upper limit for) the rents of all social landlords.
The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations is keen to engage in debate with all relevant stakeholders to clarify the rationale for regulation of owner-occupation, private renting and social renting, the principles on which regulation of each sector should be based and the best way of delivering the regulation service.
In relation to the registered housing association sector, the Federation wishes to achieve a regulation system that focuses on outcomes for service users, risks and the promotion of improvement. We believe such regulation is necessary and desirable because it would be an effective advocate for housing applicants and tenants (whose bargaining power and choice is limited by the relative scarcity of social housing), reassure taxpayers that the public subsidy is being well used and help housing associations negotiate private fi nance on the best possible terms.
In the Federation’s opinion, the recommendation that the regulator should determine or strongly infl uence housing association rent setting is fundamentally fl awed for two reasons:
• fi rst, it would substantially erode the principle that each association’s Board carries full responsibility for the viability of the organisation;
• second, it would draw the regulator into the association’s management decisions, thus compromising the regulator’s independence.
If regulation is to be funded by fees, the Federation believes the best way of achieving an independent, cost-effective service would be to establish the regulator as a social enterprise governed by a Board comprising representatives of all the key stakeholders.
1 “Every Tenant Matters – a Review of Social Housing Regulation”, Professor Martin Cave, Communities and Local Government Publications, 2007
The Housing Regulation Debate“What is the purpose of social housing regulation? And what principles should underpin its operation?”
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A WORD FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Chris Williamson,NIFHA Chief Executive
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WELFARE REFORM
The Government has set out the future of the welfare system with a plan to eliminate the complexities of the current benefi t system and ensure that ‘work always pays’. Universal Credit is an integrated working-age benefi t to be paid to people both in and out of work. It will be phased in
from October 2013 with full implementation by 2015. It will replace working tax credit, child tax credit, housing benefi t, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and income related employment and support allowance.
At the time of writing this Bill had just had its second reading in the House of Lords (13 September 2011) and the Committee Stage, a line by line examination of the Bill, was scheduled to begin 4 October.
NIFHA agrees the welfare benefi ts system should be reformed to eliminate (or at least reduce) those aspects deterring claimants from seeking and accepting reasonable employment opportunities. However, we believe the Welfare Reform Bill will cut great holes in the genuine safety net of millions of people in the UK and, if it passes through Parliament unamended, many vulnerable people will face serious hardship. Social security is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland however Government aims to seek to maintain a single system across the UK. NIFHA will continue to lobby Northern Ireland’s Lords, MPs and MLAs about those aspects of the Bill causing most concern for housing associations and their tenants.
Direct payment to landlordsOne concern is the proposed stopping of the direct payment of Housing Benefi t to landlords. Research1 undertaken on behalf of the sector indicates 9 out of 10 social housing tenants want housing benefi t paid directly to their landlords.
We believe it would be wrong, in principle, to take away this aspect of individual liberty. This simple administrative arrangement has considerable pragmatic benefi ts: it helps low-income households to budget for their housing costs and maintain their tenancy; and, by improving the reliability of their rental income, it helps housing associations borrow from private institutions at keen rates, thereby assisting the development of more social rented homes.
The announcement that pensioners and ‘vulnerable’ tenants will continue to see their housing benefi t paid directly to their landlord is welcomed and we look forward to the results of the pilot scheme in England to test direct payments to social housing tenants starting in June 2012. In the meantime we will work closely with our MLAs and offi cials to ensure the new policy works in the best interests of tenants and social landlords in Northern Ireland.
1 National Housing Federation briefi ng ‘Payment of housing benefi t direct to social landlords’ - June 11
Welfare Reform Bill2010-11
WELFARE REFORM
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‘Under-occupation’ penalty – social housing tenantsThe Bill introduces a new power for Government to introduce cuts to the amount of benefi t people can receive if they are deemed to have a spare room in their Housing Executive or housing association home. People over pension age are not included in this reduction but it will apply to disabled people, foster carers, working families on low incomes and families with very young children.
There is a limited supply of decent, affordable one bed properties into which people of working age will be able to move. Whilst we believe we should make best use of our limited social housing stock, people will see a cut in their benefi t with little prospect of being able to move to a smaller social rented home. For decades public policy in NI has been to develop general-purpose housing with at least two bedrooms. In rural areas people may have to move miles away to fi nd a smaller home. People will move to the private rented sector where the rent (and therefore the benefi t bill) will be higher. Many social rented homes are adapted to be accessible for people with disabilities and research has shown many working-age social housing tenants in the UK claiming housing benefi t live in adapted homes with one or more ‘spare’ bedrooms2. The alternative of taking in a lodger or sub-letting a spare room is unlikely to be attractive to many tenants.
Shared Room RateGovernment proposed limiting claims from single people 35 and under to the local rent for a room in a shared house, from 2012. Currently the age threshold is 25 and under. Care leavers, severely disabled people and housing association tenants are currently excluded from these rules.
The changes mean fewer properties will be available for which full rent can be covered by housing benefi t. Tenants who are in private sector accommodation will have to make up the shortfall in their rent themselves consequently households may face debt and homelessness if they cannot make up the shortfall from a low wage or welfare benefi ts. As a result there is likely to be an increase in the number making an application as homeless, although gradually as measures are to be phased in. Currently the stock of affordable homes for social rent is insuffi cient to meet need; the prevailing climate of austerity means resources are unlikely to be available to meet current projected need never mind this potential increase.
On 30 June the NI Assembly’s Social Development Committee passed regulations to introduce the single room rent changes from January 2012. However, the Committee recently passed a resolution calling for a Prayer of Annulment on the Assembly before it is enacted. This means the issue will be debated on the fl oor of the NI Assembly (possibly 11 Oct 11) and a vote taken.
2 DWP Impact Assessment: Under-occupation of social housing (Feb 2011)
HOUSING BENEFIT FOCUS
The provision of good quality, affordable supported housing is vital. It enables vulnerable people to live independently and
with dignity in our society. Supported housing schemes provide housing and support which is specifi c to the holistic development of each individual resident and facilitates interaction within their community. This provision helps the Department for Social Development fulfi l its objective ‘to tackle disadvantage and build communities’.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently undertook an important public consultation on changing the way Housing Benefi t assists those living in supported housing in the social and voluntary sector with paying their rent.
DWP’s public consultation was directly applicable to England, Scotland & Wales. However, the document stated that although Social Security is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland the intention is to seek to have a single system for the payment of this important benefi t across the UK.
In Northern Ireland Housing Benefi t is managed and administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, not local authorities, as in GB. It is recognised Northern Ireland’s centralised system works highly effectively and effi ciently to meet the needs of those who are vulnerable and / or have a disability. The processing times are signifi cantly less than those in GB, rent levels lower and the system for determining the amount of Housing Benefi t which contributes to the rent in Supported Housing is different.
There are a number of other important differences however NIFHA considers those detailed above the most signifi cant. They clearly illustrate the system operating in Northern Ireland is working well and is delivering a cost effective, effi cient service to a high standard.
Consequently in our consultation response NIFHA asked for recognition that the operation of the Housing Benefi t system for supported housing
in Northern Ireland is considerably different to the rest of the UK. We recommended the implementation of the draft proposals should be postponed until a full evaluation is undertaken to assess the potential detrimental impact on vulnerable people living in Northern Ireland.
Universal Credit, which will begin a phased introduction in 2013, is viewed as the driver for reform. The consultation suggested the ethos behind Universal Credit is to remove the complexities from the current benefi t system. Our response stated the Housing Benefi t system in Northern Ireland has already undergone signifi cant process reviews with a view to streamlining. These have resulted in a more effi cient cost effective service. NIFHA suggested the Northern Ireland system should be used as the model for reform.
We are concerned the one size fi ts all approach to Housing Benefi t reform for supported housing will be imposed in Northern Ireland. We believe this will be to the detriment of very vulnerable people depending on this vital benefi t to enable them to live independently and with dignity in our community. NIFHA will work with other stakeholders to robustly oppose this approach and will keep you advised of developments.
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Maire KerrNIFHA Housing Policy and Research Manager
Housing Benefi t Reform – the Supported Housing perspective
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FOCUS ON ... ULIDIA
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Ulidia in Focus
Contact Ulidia
A: 20 Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6FN
T: 028 9038 2288
F: 028 9038 2738
W: www.ulidiahousing.org
Key Statistics• Formed: 1977
• Staff: 18
• Assets: £72.4 million
• Turnover: £2.9 million
• Stock: 996
• In Development: 190
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FOCUS ON ... ULIDIA
Ulidia was established in 1977 by a group of volunteers in South Belfast concerned about the lack of suitable accommodation
for one parent families in Northern Ireland. In the mid 1980’s the Association broadened its remit to include supported accommodation managed under the terms of Joint Management Agreements with a number of voluntary organisations. Ulidia has worked with voluntary organisations to provide refuges for women and children escaping domestic violence, homeless hostels, shared housing for people with physical disabilities, and supported housing for people with learning disabilities.
Following the introduction of mixed capital funding, Ulidia built its fi rst general family housing project in 1996 and in recent years most of its development work has concentrated on the provision of general family accommodation.
Stock and Development
Ulidia currently manages a completed stock of 996 units, including a mix of self contained and shared bedspaces in supported housing
projects. The Association continues to promote an active development programme and in the past 12 months completed 88 new homes and started 206 on site. These projects included the largest individual scheme in the Social Housing Development Programme in 2010-11 located at Ballymacoss Hill, Lisburn.
Following the success of the award winning project at Carran Crescent, Enniskillen, Ulidia is completing its second Shared Future Housing Development at Woodside Park, Loughbrickland.
Not only will these new developments help meet housing need, Ulidia’s building programme will provide nine work placements from the Steps To Work Programme under the Social Clause. Ulidia has plans to start an additional 200 units at sites across Northern Ireland during the current fi nancial year.
As a member of the Abacus Housing Consortium Ulidia looks forward to working with its member colleagues on the future delivery of the Social Housing Development Programme and other joint initiatives.
Ulidia’s development at Devonshire
The Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland MLA, viewing plans with Ulidia’s John Gartland and Liz Millen at Ballymacoss Hill, Lisburn
Maloon Manor, Cookstown
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FOCUS ON ... ULIDIA
In a Premier League
The central aim of Ulidia is to provide an outstanding service to
the Association’s tenants and Joint Management Partners. Ulidia also encourages good conduct of tenancy through its tenant incentive scheme, Premier Service.
Premier Service rewards tenants with Bonusbonds, a faster repair service and entry to competitions, in return for maintaining a clear rent account and adhering to the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. Over 80 per cent of the Association’s tenants are now members and the Association continues to build on this unique platform with initiatives such as Premier Gold.
Premier Gold members are tenants who have been members of Premier Service for two years or more and are rewarded with additional Bonusbonds. Each new tenant is also provided with a Welcome Pack containing a selection of environmentally friendly and energy effi cient household goods.
An independent review of Premier Service has recently been completed by Housing Rights Service. The review concluded that Premier Service is valued by tenants and has high satisfaction levels with the majority of tenants who stated it is a service they would not wish to lose. Interestingly, interviews with the Association’s staff highlighted the important role Premier Service plays in focusing on the positive side of housing management, which in turn contributes to staff morale and teambuilding.
Encouraging neighbourliness
Almost half of the Association’s tenants have signed the Good Neighbour Agreement which was initially introduced as part of the Shared
Future project at Carran Crescent, Enniskillen.
The Agreement encourages tenants to be good neighbours, so combined with the ambition of Premier Service to promote good conduct of tenancy, these two initiatives form the foundation upon which Ulidia has built its unique brand of customer-focused housing service.
An initiative, which the Association will introduce later this year, is the Golden Goodbye scheme.
This will reward tenants for leaving their property in good, clean, lettable condition at tenancy termination. There are other innovative ideas in the pipeline.
Involving Tenants
Ulidia recently worked in partnership with Supporting Communities NI to develop a new Tenant Participation and Involvement
Strategy. The Strategy was introduced in 2010 and focuses on improving tenant consultation and involvement through a combination of formally constituted Community Associations, Community Champions, and a Tenant Involvement Register.
The fi rst Community Association established under the Strategy was in Windermere in Lisburn. Following a Public Meeting in February 2011, the Committee of the Windermere Community Association were elected and a Constitution agreed. A Community Survey was conducted to identify issues affecting local residents and an Estate Action Plan put in place to address these issues. The new Community Association was also successful in its application for funding from Lisburn City Council.
Conlay and Elizabeth Wright, tenants of Ulidia, who live in Windermere Lisburn
Champions in the Community
To date seven Community Champions have been nominated and elected by local residents across the Association’s stock.
The Community Champions represent tenants in the areas in which they live and meet monthly with the Association’s Tenant Liaison Housing Offi cer to give feedback on the services provided by the Association. The Community Champions also take part in Estate Walkabouts with the Tenant Liaison Housing Offi cer on a regular basis.
The inaugural meeting of the Ulidia Housing Advisory Group is scheduled to take place later this year, comprising of the Community Champions, together with representatives from the Community Associations. The introduction of the Tenant Involvement Register has also been warmly received and allows tenants to review the Association’s policies and publications from the comfort of their own homes. So far, 35 tenants have signed up to the Register and the Association welcomes their input and views on its services.
Beyond the boundary
Ulidia is pleased to work in conjunction with Lisburn City Council to provide funding for a multi-purpose play area for the residents
of Windermere and neighbouring estates. Construction of the playground, complete with a 3G sports pitch, started in August.
The sports pitch will be used during the day by the local primary school and in the evenings and weekends by the local community. The project is the fi rst of its kind in Northern Ireland and complements other community initiatives promoted by Ulidia in the area, including a Youth Diversion Programme and Neighbourhood Engagement, Awareness and Support Programme.
Leading Lights
Ulidia was delighted one of its founding members, Professor Bert Rima, was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Housing
Award at the recent NIFHA Awards. During the past 34 years Bert has played a leading role, not just in the work of Ulidia, but also in the growth and promotion of the voluntary housing movement in Northern Ireland.
The Association’s Board remains committed to the organisation’s vision and values. Under the leadership of its new Chair, Tony Kennedy OBE, Ulidia looks forward to continuing its work providing decent affordable housing and promoting a shared future in a safe community.
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FOCUS ON ... ULIDIA
Tony Kennedy OBE, Ulidia’s Chair
Professor Bert Rima receiving NIFHA’s Outstanding Achievement in Housing Award
Representatives of Lisburn City Council, Community Groups and Ulidia as work begins on the Multi-Use Play Area
Oaklee Homes Group has been awarded ARENA Network’s Green Dragon Level 2 Environmental Standard. It is the fi rst housing
association in Northern Ireland to receive this standard.
Brian Rankin, Energy Offi cer, Oaklee receives the Level 2 Green Dragon accreditation from ARENA Network Director, Eamonn Keaveney
ASSOCIATED NEWS
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Green Dragon fi nds a home
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Successful recipients of valuable National Vocational Qualifi cations at FOLD
Offi cially named after 25 years
A sheltered scheme containing 25 terraced bungalows built around two courtyard gardens with covered walkways on Belfast’s
Sandy Row was recently visited by the Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA, to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
After touring the scheme the Minister took afternoon tea with tenants in the common room where he was pleased to announce that the scheme, which had never before been allocated an offi cial name, would now be known as Carr’s Court.
Sandy Row was previously known as Carr’s Row and the new Carr’s Court name gives it that link with the past.
John Moore welcomes Minister McCausland to his home in Carr’s Court
The face of Age NI
Trinity tenant Irene Kennedy has become one of the new faces of Age NI after winning a competition which sought to fi nd Northern
Ireland’s most inspirational older people.
Irene, an octogenarian from Harris Crescent in Dunmurry, was nominated because she demonstrates that age is a state of mind, not a matter of arithmetic. She embraces life and has an active social calendar the envy of many 30 years younger that includes travelling, dancing and bowling. Irene is a dedicated silver surfer, proving you are never too old to learn new skills.
Siobhan Casey - Age NI, Lesley Moore - Trinity Housing and Power NI’s Wilma Stewart congratulate Irene Kennedy on becoming the face of Age NI
NVQs Awarded at FOLD
FOLD supports and encourages staff to develop their practical skills and knowledge through training and development courses which leads
to a recognised qualifi cation such as NVQ. They recognise this will enable staff to deliver to tenants the best possible care and support.
As a result 18 members of FOLD’s Care Services team recently achieved NVQs in Health & Social Care Levels 2 and 4, Catering/Supervisory Management 3, NVQ A1 Assessor and V1 Verifi er Awards.
They gained accreditation through the active management of Head Offi ce’s environmental impact. Oaklee has a fi ve-year Energy and Sustainable Development Strategy setting specifi c targets for energy and environmental issues. Over the last year, Oaklee has undertaken a number of initiatives including introducing electrical timers and sensors, improved existing recycling facilities and holding an Energy Week.
AWARDING TIMES
NI Housing Council Awards 11
Every year the Northern Ireland Housing Council awards recognise the valuable contribution made
to our society by those professionals working in housing. The awards will be presented after publication of POSH but we wanted to highlight the successful nominees from our housing association members and wish them luck for the awards!
Norman Capper Memorial Award
This is presented for excellence in the fi eld of customer service or public relations.
In 2011 Louise McMaw, Senior Housing Offi cer, Open Door HA was nominated for the initiative she demonstrated during the adverse weather conditions experienced in winter 2010-11. Louise’s idea to use text messaging to alert Open Door’s tenants to potential problems as a result of the weather meant a huge saving to the association in terms of repair costs and undoubtedly lessened serious diffi culties experienced by tenants.
Open Door also highlighted that Louise’s overall contribution to the association has resulted in a marked increase in tenant satisfaction levels. The latest fi gure for 2010-11 saw a 98 per cent satisfaction level.
Jack Bailie Award
The award is presented by the Housing Council to a member of staff who introduces an added value initiative.
This year Pauline Hart, Project Manager at Inverary House (Open Door HA) a 12 bed supported housing project for people who fi nd themselves homeless was nominated for ‘Root Soup’ (featured in POSH Summer 11).
This social enterprise was established to provide training and employment for those who are homeless and those with learning diffi culties. Root Soup provides space for individuals to develop skills, build self esteem and confi dence.
The project has been running for around nine months, but has already shown value for money by reducing the support needs of service users and by increasing their skills which improves their employability.
Jim Speers Award
This award is specifi cally for housing associations and aims to highlight the work of associations. Nominations in 2011 were:
Connswater Homes’ Connswater Phase 3,Mersey Street, East Belfast The third phase of this extensive scheme provides 88 general needs homes in East Belfast and is made up of 3 and 5 bed family houses, wheelchair accessible bungalows and 2 bed apartments. The scheme is a £15.2m investment in the area providing warm, modern, secure and affordable homes. The focus on environmental sustainability and energy effi ciency will help minimise the environmental impact and lessen fuel poverty.
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Louise McMaw, Open Door
Root Soup Participants
Connswater Homes’ Mersey Street
UK Housing Awards 2011
The 2011 UK Housing Awards are in November and NIFHA’s members
Clanmil, FOLD and Trinity have been shortlisted. The awards recognise outstanding work in housing which improves the lives of people in their communities. The schemes nominated are:Clanmil Housing: Weavershill and Ardglen Place, FOLD: Castle Erne and Trinity Housing: Ralphs Close. We wish them well in the Awards.
AWARDING TIMES
Clanmil Housing’s Harbour View, Pilot Street, North Belfast The scheme was developed on the site of a derelict mill and provides 68 general family homes at a cost of £10m. Clanmil aimed to create a sustainable community which re-integrated people into the area. The scheme has enhanced the physical environment, helped in the regeneration of a main arterial route into Belfast and promoted high energy effi ciency which will help reduce fuel poverty.
FOLD’s Torrens, 3a Oldpark Road, North BelfastCommunity support and integration was essential to the success of this 112 general needs family scheme. The total investment was nearly £13m.
The scheme supports the regeneration work already undertaken in the area by FOLD and has helped to halt further decline by re-developing a blighted area and create better conditions to encourage physical and community renewal.
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Habinteg HA’s Whitewell Mews, 98 Whitewell Road, North Belfast The scheme provides 8 homes for the over 55s (active elderly) and was completed at a cost of just under £650k. The location bridges the council areas of Belfast and Newtownabbey. It was built on a derelict site, is close to vital amenities and has good transport facilities. It is providing an ideal infrastructure for sustaining the local community.
Trinity Housing’s Ralphs Close, Gransha Park, LondonderryRalphs Close was designed and built to meet the specifi c needs of those with severe learning diffi culties and challenging behaviour. There are two bungalows with a common core which houses kitchen, laundry dining and staff facilities. Trinity invested £3.3m in this Derry based scheme using natural and recyclable materials such as slate, stone, zinc, aluminium and wood to help minimise future maintenance requirements.
Clanmil Housing’s Harbour View
FOLD’s Torrens Scheme
Habinteg’s Whitewell Mews
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Trinity Housing’s Ralphs Close
£7m Scheme for Ballysillan
Clanmil Housing’s new scheme at Sunningdale Gardens will provide 38 houses and eight apartments, of which six are designed
specifi cally to meet the needs of independent older people. They were delighted the Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland MLA was able to cut the fi rst sod. The homes will be built to high levels of energy effi ciency and have been designed to Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards, ensuring added security for tenants and fl exibility of adaptation if required at a later date.
5,000 reasons to live with FOLD
Mr & Mrs Corbett (pictured) recently moved into FOLD’s Torrens scheme in North Belfast becoming the association’s 5,000th tenant.
In welcoming them FOLD’s Chief Executive, John McLean, said “I congratulate Mr and Mrs Corbett on becoming our 5,000th tenant. This fi nal phase of Torrens was developed taking into consideration the latest sustainable technologies such as Secured by Design, solar water heating panels and Lifetime Homes. It will bring a marked reduction in fuel costs for all residents, which is to be welcomed by all in the current economic climate.”
The Torrens scheme has added 177 much needed new homes in North Belfast – just over 10% of the area’s identifi ed need. FOLD intends to complete over 300 new general needs houses this year.
Bangor benefi ts by £1.7m
Trinity Housing recently invited Nelson McCausland MLA, Minister for Social Development to open a £1.7m social housing
scheme for active older people in Bangor.
Trinity Heights, a 14 two bedroom apartment scheme on Bloomfi eld Road South, was developed in response to a growing waiting list for this type of more easily managed accommodation. The apartments have been designed to incorporate the recommendations of the Crime Design Advisor from the PSNI, ensuring residents feel safe and secure. In addition, they have also been built to high energy effi ciency specifi cations.
£2.4m investment for Londonderry
The former Rosemount PSNI station has been redeveloped by Apex Housing to provide 17 family homes. The scheme was built to Code Level 3, Lifetime Homes and Secured by
Design standards. By providing an attractive residential street frontage the scheme has greatly enhanced the local townscape.
16 posh - autumn 11
BUILDING : SUSTAINING : SUPPORTING
Nelson McCausland MLA with Joan Totten North Belfast Alternatives and Chief Executive of Clanmill Housing, Clare McCarty
John McLean and Eileen Patterson of FOLD presenting Mr & Mrs Corbett with the key to their new home
Arthur Canning Trinity CEO, Minister McCausland, Bill Reilly Chairman, Mr & Mrs Lawther (Trinity Heights residents), and Mayor James McKerrow
Bernadette Frazer, one of Rosemount’s new residents, is welcomed by Apex’s Chief Executive Gerry Kelly, Nelson McCausland MLA and Marjorie Keenan, Apex’s Chair
BUILDING : SUSTAINING : SUPPORTING
posh - Summer 11 17
posh autumn 11 - 17
Homes for over 50 people
Habinteg’s Flax Mill Court in Drumaness will provide accommodation for up to 51 people. When it is completed the £1.75m investment
will comprise two and three-bed ‘general needs’ houses, two bungalows built to full wheelchair user standard and two-bed bungalows for the over 55s (Category 1).
As she has been very closely involved in its development, local MP and MLA Margaret Ritchie recently visited the scheme to view progress. The 12 homes have been built to EcoHomes ‘Very Good’ standard and provide much needed quality rural housing in Co Down.
Energy effi cient in Carnlough
The Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland MLA offi cially opened a new £1.5m housing scheme by Oaklee Homes
Group in Carnlough.
The 11 homes, built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 standard, were a pilot project under the Climate Change’s Renewable Construction Demonstrator Programme. They are amongst the most sustainable and energy effi cient in Northern Ireland; built using materials from renewable resources and technology ensuring maximum insulation.
The homes are triple glazed and photovoltaic roof panels have been installed to convert sunlight into electricity. Oaklee’s development is helping combat fuel poverty by ensuring tenants benefi t from real savings in their heating and lighting bills.
Habinteg’ Director of Development, Darren McKinney, discussing progress with Ms Ritchie
Pictured (l-r) is the Chair of Oaklee Homes Group, Sylvia Doran, with Drumalla Park tenants, Shannon O’Reilly, Sinead O’Reilly and Robert Mackey-Cromie who received their key from the Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland MLA
Minister visits proposed Voluntary Transfer Scheme
The fi rst proposed small scale voluntary transfer scheme in Northern Ireland is due to take
place November/December 2011. Tenants were balloted by the NI Housing Executive and voted in favour of the transfer.
Apex Housing will accept 55 NIHE dwellings into its portfolio, 28 of which are to be refurbished immediately using private fi nance from Apex whilst the remaining are to be demolished and replaced with 22 new social homes.
The Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA accompanied by Michael Sands, DSD Asst Director of Housing together with community leaders, local Councillors and representatives from Apex Housing
BEYOND THE BOUNDARY
Art Impacts on Poverty
A private collector made available 190 paintings by well known artists to help Habitat for Humanity paint a better future for families
in need. The diverse collection of original Irish Art included works by Harry Reid, Janet Ross and Robert Bottom.
Crowds fl ocked to the Big Art Sale on in September where paintings valued between £250 and £1,000, were sold for £150 with 50 per cent donated directly to Habitat.
The sale raised over £12,000 to support volunteers from across Northern Ireland travelling to Romania to build 10 homes in just 1 week during ‘Big Build 2011’.
A big hearted effort
The Harmony Homes team recently raised £1,864 for the British Heart Foundation with a little help from tenants, sub-contractors,
shops in the area and the local community. They held a fun day and undertook a sponsored walk which involved a lot of planning and hard work but proved highly successful as well as great craic.
Big Leap for Alzheimer’s
Joan Blain is the hard working receptionist at Trinity Housing and self-confessed adrenaline junky! Since the merger with Belfast
Community HA she has found a kindred spirit in Housing Offi cer, Laura Moore. Together they completed skydives on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society raising £2,600.
The Alzheimer’s Society is close to both Laura and Joan’s hearts and is important to Trinity Housing which has a signifi cant number of tenants affected by the disease. Consequently, Trinity Housing’s Board was proud to sponsor its two brave employees. Laura enjoyed it so much she is considering another jump! On the other hand Joan is now happy to stay closer to the earth.
Their efforts raised a fantastic amount of money and helped bond the newly enlarged staff at Trinity Housing.
Tribute to Victims of Addiction
Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA, visited Apex Housing’s The House in The Wells recently to offi cially open a Garden of
Remembrance.
Current residents wanted to remember departed friends and the garden, located in the scheme’s courtyard, was deemed a fi tting tribute.
The Apex scheme provides accommodation, support and care to 25 residents with alcohol addiction. The House in The Wells has proved an invaluable service to the community since it was founded in the early 1970s.
18 posh - autumn 11
Queuing for Habitat for Humanity NI’s art sale
Face painting at Harmony Homes’ fun day
Joan Blain mid skydive
Pictured (l-r) at the opening are Maurice Devenney, Mayor of Derry, Rev David Latimer, Fr Gerard Mongan, Martin McGuinness MLA and Andy Bonner, Offi cer in Charge
posh autumn 11 - 19
NIFHA’S HOUSING ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Association Telephone Email Website
Abbeyfi eld UK (NI) Ltd 028 9036 5081 admin@abbeyfi eldni.org www.abbeyfi eldni.org
Alpha Housing 028 9078 7750 [email protected] www.alphahousingni.org
Apex Housing 028 7130 4800 [email protected] www.apexhousing.org
Ark Housing 028 9075 2310 [email protected] www.arkhousing.co.uk
Broadway 028 9074 2984 [email protected] n/a
Clanmil Housing 028 9087 6000 [email protected] www.clanmil.org
Connswater Homes 028 9065 6155 [email protected] www.connswater.org.uk
Co-Ownership Housing 028 9032 7276 [email protected] www.co-ownership.org
Covenanter 028 9094 1672 [email protected] n/a
Craigowen 028 9076 8029 offi [email protected] n/a
Dungannon & District 028 8772 2121 [email protected] www.ddha.net
Filor 028 9035 1131 fi [email protected] n/a
Flax 028 9059 2110 admin@fl axhousing.com www.fl axhousing.com
FOLD 028 9042 8314 [email protected] www.foldgroup.co.uk
Gosford 028 3751 8522 [email protected] www.gosfordhousing.co.uk
Grove 028 9077 3330 [email protected] www.groveha.org.uk
Habinteg (Ulster) 028 9042 7211 [email protected] www.habinteg-ulster.co.uk
Harmony Homes (NI) 028 9074 1618 [email protected] n/a
Hearth 028 9053 0121 [email protected] www.hearth-housing.org.uk
Helm Housing 028 9032 0485 offi [email protected] www.helmhousing.org
Newington 028 9074 4055 [email protected] www.newingtonha.co.uk
Oaklee Homes Group 0845 073 0005 [email protected] www.oakleehomesgroup.org.uk
Open Door 028 9024 3785 [email protected] www.opendoor.org.uk
Rural Housing 028 8224 6118 [email protected] www.ruralhousing.co.uk
SHAC 0845 074 3431 [email protected] www.shac.org.uk
South Ulster 028 3833 9795 [email protected] www.suha.co.uk
St Matthew’s 028 9045 1070 offi [email protected] n/a
Triangle 028 2766 6880 [email protected] www.trianglehousing.org.uk
Trinity Housing NI 028 9069 0250 [email protected] www.trinityha.org
Ulidia 028 9038 2288 [email protected] www.ulidiahousing.org
Wesley 028 9336 3558 [email protected] www.wha-ni.org
Non-registered*
Bangor Provident Trust 028 9024 6602 [email protected] n/a
Glenall Housing Co-operative 028 9031 1156 [email protected] n/a
Habitat for Humanity NI 028 9024 3686 [email protected] www.habitatni.co.uk
The Abbeyfi eld Belfast Society
028 9038 1332 afi [email protected] n/a
Threshold Services 028 9087 1313 [email protected] www.thresholdservices.com
Ulster Provident 028 9031 1156 [email protected] n/a
*These are members who provide housing but are not registered housing associations with DSD and therefore do not receive DSD funding.
For full details of the accommodation and services offered by NIFHA members, please log onto www.nifha.org and search the Housing Association Database.
Santander Corporate Banking is the brand name of Santander UK plc, Abbey National Treasury Services plc (which also uses the brand name of Santander Global Banking and Markets) and Santander Asset Finance plc, all (with the exception of Santander Asset Finance plc) authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, except in respect of consumer credit products which are regulated by the Offi ce of Fair Trading. FSA registration numbers: 106054, 146003 and 423530 respectively. Registered offi ces: 2 Triton Square, Regent’s Place, London NW1 3AN and Carlton Park, Narborough LE19 0AL. Company numbers: 2294747, 2338548 and 1533123 respectively. Registered in England. Santander and the fl ame logo are registered trademarks. NIFHA SEP 11
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