The BIG PictureChallenges and Practical Advice

National Housing Federation19th October 2011

Yvonne Davies Scrutiny and Empowerment Partners

What challenge?Expectations and practical solutionsNew Housing Strategy November 2011CLG Final Directions to the regulatorRevised National StandardsTenant empowermentHousing Benefits demonstration projectsEquality & Human RightsLocalismHealth and Social Care BillRight to Buy

Tough Operating EnvironmentWhat do the cuts mean for your organisation?Have you considered all options before you cut servicesHAs have been inventive, strong & resilientWelfare Budget £11b Savings by 2014/15New build programme 2011 to 2015 (£8 to 4.5bill)Looking across to the LA sector

• Shared services• Merged services• Deleting the post of CEO

New Housing StrategyAre you aware of the new strategy?In addition to plans for housing in the Localism Bill…..Set out Government priorities for housing, homelessness and supportInquiry into financing new housing supplyMore efficient management (VFM)More home ownership & MobilityProtecting the vulnerableHigh quality and sustainable homes

CLG Final Directions to TSAAre you ready to feed into the consultation?Role for Boards on VFM

•Consultation on new standards November to February; published Feb/March; regulated from April 2012•Value for Money – set targets; look back; look forward and consult stakeholders•Serious detriment

The government view on localism

“Today is the start of a deep and serious reform agenda to take power away from politicians and give it to people.“

David Cameron“We need to give people the platform to get things done ….. a system which properly puts tenants and their representatives firmly in the driving seat.”

Grant Shapps

Localism and HousingHave you a knowledge of what your LA’s are planning? Are you involved in discussions?New Intermediate rents Tenure – fixed term allowed - 5 years?LA Tenancy Strategy = new HA Tenancy PolicyMobility through National Home swapLocal allocations PoliciesHomeless to private sectorUnder/overcrowding

Tenant EmpowermentBoards will be responsible for consumer protection in the absence of consumer regulation•Scrutiny•Cashback•Right to Manage•Complaints and independence of new Panels•Annual reports – how involved are your tenants?

VFM & Tenant Empowerment

How are decisions made, can they be streamlined?The Board & Committee StructuresTenant structuresContinuous improvement strategiesPerformanceWhat do you do with survey results?How do you measure results?

Housing Benefit Demonstration Projects

Is the Local authority where you have your stock volunteering to be a pilot?

Start in June 2012Run for one year – principle - HB paid to tenantsSwitchback if the rent is not forthcomingPilots on exceptionsPilots on additional financial support

Equality & Human RightsHave you agreed a new Single Equalities Scheme since the Equality Act 2010 (enacted April 2011)?Have you considered your position since the Commission for Equality & Human Rights published its Housing Guidance in July 2011?What are your local inequalities?New equality groups (all under one act)Equality analysis (not Equality Impact Assessments)Right to respect for a private lifeProhibition of discrimination

Health and Social Care BillWhat changes to funding of long term care?How will they impact on supported schemes?Absence of housing professionals at tablesAre your services prepared for an aging society in terms of independence, health and well being in older ageSupporting People, what have you lost? How did you deliver this before?

Right to Buy

Buy one, get one free?Impact on LA sector, not the Right to AcquireMore co-operativesOpportunities for stock transfer?New build replacements – can you deliver?How quickly? – 46% discount - is that not enough?

and there is always moreBig and small Changes to Planning PolicyAnti Social BehaviourGreening your organisationLoan Sharks and Financial inclusionBridging the gap in supporting people paymentsSocial cohesion in our communities which are the most deprived of allWheel clamping & CCTV!

One answer? No just mitigationPractical adviceHeightened awareness to riskMore commercially minded and business likeRoom for specialism and enterpriseRoom to share services & ideas and save money (long term)Never give up – people are reliant on you

Thanks for what you do

Thank-you for listeningQuestions and Discussion

yvonne@tenantadvisor.netTel: 07867 974659

www.tenantadvisor.net