Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Inside Housing
Case studies

Stories with this category.

  • Ageing sustainably

    18/05/2012

    By 2020 China will have more than 260 million people over the age of 65. Here, Jess McCabe gets a glimpse at how the country plans to house some of them in a giant, retirement eco-city

  • Brazil needs a new approach

    18/05/2012

    Brazil needs a shift in attitude if it is to successfully tackle its growing housing crisis, says Ruban Selvanayagam

  • Dressed for success

    18/05/2012

    Birmingham’s Forgotten Vintage is much more than just a second-hand fashion store. Laura Jane Johnson reveals how it is helping the city’s homeless

  • Utopia revisited

    18/05/2012

    As David Cameron seeks to revive the principles of garden cities with a consultation due later this year, Colin Wiles examines how likely it is that his vision will come to fruition

  • Teaming up with the Met

    11/05/2012

    What happened when a housing association joined its local police force to improve the response to anti-social behaviour? Simon Brandon finds out

  • Problems shared

    08/05/2012

    Housing providers can play a key role in tackling domestic violence. Here one specialist charity explains how it is working with the sector to improve support.

  • Cold cottage rescue

    20/04/2012

    Isolation from mains gas can spell financial hardship. Alex Turner investigates how Cornish landlords are exploring renewable energy solutions to rural fuel poverty

  • Personal shopper

    13/04/2012

    Housing association Orbit’s in-house procurement team has found itself in demand as other social landlords seek its expertise. Jess McCabe finds out the secrets to its success

  • Open-door policy

    05/04/2012

    Allowing private landlords to validate local housing allowance claims can help councils simplify their procedures and cut their housing waiting lists. Neil Merrick heads to Derbyshire to find out how

  • A friend in need

    30/03/2012

    Edinburgh’s Homelessness Prevention Service is making a big difference to vulnerable residents in the city. Sam Thorp finds out how the council-commissioned service works

  • The power of youth

    23/03/2012

    Last summer’s riots demonstrated how disenfranchised some young people are from their communities. Beena Nadeem meets the teenagers teaching social landlords how to put that right

  • Power to the people

    16/03/2012

    A series of training programmes held across the country have been teaching tenants how to scrutinise their landlords. Helen Clifton finds out if it is working

  • A problem shared

    09/03/2012

    Sharing views on retrofit with a group of landlords across Europe has been invaluable, says Richard Baines

  • Cheaper by the Durkan

    09/03/2012

    The contractor charged with giving an east London estate a facelift also threw in comprehensive energy retrofitting - at no extra cost. Jess McCabe finds out more

  • Doing it themselves

    09/03/2012

    Help is at hand for low-income tenants keen to follow the Highland tradition of self-building. Clare Harris reports

  • Foreign intervention

    09/03/2012

    The threat of climate change may not be a big enough priority in most countries, but going green can help to tackle other, more pressing, socio-economic problems, as demonstrated by a retrofit project in South Africa, says Jane Henley

  • It pays to recycle

    09/03/2012

    A London council is rewarding tenants for recycling. Poppy McPherson finds out whether the celebrity-backed scheme is persuading people to be greener

  • Opening up

    05/03/2012

    Viridian chief executive Matthew Fox explains why his organisation is taking the leap to become more transparent

  • Cheated out of their savings

    02/03/2012

    Abusive financial practices targeting the elderly are on the rise, but so are measures to protect vulnerable housing association residents. Alex Turner reports

  • Not a sticking plaster

    12/02/2012

    Efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour can seem like fire fighting. It’s expensive to take a more comprehensive and long-term approach by working with a single family to get to the root of their problems. But, as Tony Powell, executive director of neighbourhoods at New Charter Housing Trust, explains, the effect can be transformative.

  • The home MOT test

    10/02/2012

    A Dutch landlord is reducing maintenance costs by giving its homes regular check-ups. Chloë Stothart finds out how it works

  • Ringing the changes

    06/02/2012

    Opened last year, Orbit Heart of England’s Sampson Close development in Bell Green is one of the first schemes in the area to meet Passivhaus standards. Here the various partners explain why they are taking this high energy efficiency approach to house building.

  • Along for the ride

    27/01/2012

    Contractor Kier offers customers the chance to shadow a maintenance worker for a day. Here, Sheffield Homes tenant Yvonne Collins, 71, explains how the scheme is improving tenants’ understanding of repairs and their satisfaction with the service

  • The repairs rule book

    27/01/2012

    Contractor Forrest launched a code of conduct for its repairs and maintenance workers last summer, improving customer satisfaction as a result. Here Sally-Ann Smith explains how it works

  • Scrapheap challenge

    20/01/2012

    The price of metal has risen sky high making pipes, railings and even boilers an irresistible target to thieves. Chloë Stothart finds out how one housing association is tackling the growing problem of metal theft

  • The legal aid lifeline

    02/12/2011

    Cuts to legal aid and new spending restrictions mean tens of thousands of tenants will no longer be eligible for free housing advice. Jess McCabe visits a law centre to investigate the likely impact of the changes

  • Dangerous type

    25/11/2011

    The demotion of a housing employee over comments he made on Facebook highlights the grey area between employees’ public and private lives. Here, Lydia Stockdale finds out how others can avoid getting themselves into trouble

  • How to be a rising star

    11/11/2011

    This week, Inside Housing is guest edited by inaugural Rising Stars winner Carla Keegans. Alex Turner asks what qualities could help you scale the same heights

  • Health check

    04/11/2011

    Can living in an energy-efficient home improve residents’ well-being? Gentoo’s latest retrofit pilot aims to find out. Martin Hilditch reports

  • Hit for six

    04/11/2011

    A 91-home Yorkshire development might mark the peak of sustainable house building. Martin Hilditch finds out why

  • The other side of the story

    04/11/2011

    Dale Farm has dominated the headlines in recent months. But as Alex Turner finds, there are plenty of examples of landlords and Travellers working together successfully

  • Taking control of the media

    28/10/2011

    In the wake of the summer’s riots, landlords are using social media to debunk stereotypes and show the good in their communities. Charlotte Goddard finds out how

  • Welcome flexibility

    21/10/2011

    Two landlords have been named top employers for working families. Lydia Stockdale talks to one about how flexible time-keeping benefits managers and employees alike

  • Casting the net for a home

    02/09/2011

    A website aimed solely at local housing allowance claimants is helping people find homes. Lydia Stockdale logs on

  • On top of the world

    22/07/2011

    Tower blocks are not typically home to extra care schemes. But Helen Clifton finds out how one arm’s-length management organisation is giving older residents a room with a view

  • Bright ideas

    08/07/2011

    Elderly and disabled people don’t have to live with ugly adaptations to their homes. Katie Puckett finds out about a contest shining a light on good design

  • Sentenced to life without a home

    01/07/2011

    Imprisonment and homelessness are among the more traumatic experiences that can befall an individual. All too often, the two are inextricably linked.

  • From riches to rags and back

    24/06/2011

    A Welsh landlord took on an ambitious project to refurbish a derelict Grade II listed mansion. Katie Puckett finds out how they managed to bring it back into use

  • Under the hammer

    20/06/2011

    The old adage that one man’s treasure is another man’s trash is a saying which has paid dividends in auction houses across the world for years.

  • Tenants on the move

    17/06/2011

    A group of London housing associations has launched a scheme to help unemployed tenants relocate to get back into work. Alex Turner reports

  • Hidden menace

    10/06/2011

    Cash-strapped tenants can make their situation worse by turning to loan sharks. Darren Reynolds explains why landlords have waded in to help tackle the problem

  • Play your cards right

    10/06/2011

    A new card game is helping older tenants rate their service

  • The shortlist

    10/06/2011

    Emily Rogers visits the council that is replacing allocation forms with face-to-face meetings to vet prospective tenants

  • Tips from the top

    10/06/2011

    A mentoring scheme is helping talented housing professionals break through the glass ceiling. Lydia Stockdale finds out who is benefiting from this process

  • We mean business

    10/06/2011

    Landlords can boost revenues and put something back into the community by setting up a social enterprise, as Anita Pati finds out

  • Hands-on approach

    03/06/2011

    A new breed of customer-focused housing officers is giving tenants a lot more satisfaction. Emily Rogers meets one of them

  • Good state of repair

    27/05/2011

    Grant Shapps’ tenant cashback scheme is not a new concept. Tenants of one housing association have been conducting their own repairs for years. Simon Brandon finds out more

  • Ripping off the band aid

    27/05/2011

    A day in the life of a lawyer who works with people in housing need: Peter Szoltysek reveals how cuts to legal aid will hit his clients

  • Building brain wave

    13/05/2011

    A new housing project in Glasgow will offer a haven to the increasing number of people in the city living with alcohol-related brain damage. Clare Harris reports

  • A new way of thinking

    06/05/2011

    Helen Clifton visits the housing association which believes philosophy is key to tackling the sector’s thorniest problems

  • Retro living

    06/05/2011

    How easy is it to get tenants to adapt their lifestyle to a retrofitted home? Sustainable Housing is following a family over the next two years to find out. Nick Duxbury reports

  • Open book approach

    28/04/2011

    An open book policy has allowed one landlord to cut repair costs by making them more transparent. Emily Rogers reports

  • Out of Africa

    21/04/2011

    Charity Homeless International took 30 housing employees to build a community centre in a Tanzanian slum earlier this year. Pat Brandum, chief executive of WM Housing Group, explains what they learned from the experience

  • Setting a new standard

    21/04/2011

    As landlords and tenants gear up for the era of co-regulation, a pilot project is pioneering ways in which residents can hold housing providers to account. Chloë Stothart reports

  • Mass destruction

    18/04/2011

    As the demolition of the Heygate Estate in Southwark begins, cabinet member for regeneration Fiona Colley explains how the council is ensuring it doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the past

  • Care on a budget

    15/04/2011

    Residents in care homes are being given their own money to fund personal care packages in a bid to cut costs. Helen Clifton finds out how it works

  • Let’s work together

    15/04/2011

    Northampton Council is opening its own lettings agency next month in a bid to eradicate homelessness in the city. Lisa Kennedy, who works in the council’s housing department, explains how it will work.

  • When the last race is run

    08/04/2011

    The racing industry is close-knit and its people want to continue living together long after their final furlong. Emily Rogers studies the form guide of a specialist landlord that is making this wish a reality

  • Making a difference

    04/04/2011

    Do tenant-led inspections improve services, or are landlords just paying lip service to resident engagement? Three tenants give their views

  • Care and a community

    01/04/2011

    What does it take to be the best older people’s extra care scheme in the country? Lydia Stockdale takes a look at Waverley Gardens in Bristol, which has just won the accolade, to find out

  • Beating the cuts

    25/03/2011

    Liverpool’s largest housing association is filling the gap left by grant cuts with its £700,000 social dividend fund, writes Helen Clifton

  • Give us our money

    18/03/2011

    Nottingham City Homes was pledged £165 million for its decent homes programme. When that figure came under threat a group of tenants went to the prime minister with a very clear message.

  • A home away from home

    11/03/2011

    Refugees in Glasgow are taking their first step towards a settled life in Scotland thanks to a special partnership between the Scottish Refugee Council and local housing associations. Clare Harris explains how.

  • Banning the bailiffs

    11/03/2011

    New laws in Scotland will make it harder for landlords to evict tenants. It’s familiar territory for Stirling Council, which outlawed evictions two years ago. Tony Cain, head of housing services, explains how it managed

  • Paint the town green

    04/03/2011

    In 2009 Whitehill and Bordon became one of the first four carbon neutral eco-towns in the UK. Initial euphoria over, its mayor, Adam Carew, explains how its sustainable credentials are shaping up in light of public sector spending cuts

  • The self-start guru

    04/03/2011

    As the UK unemployment crisis deepens Paul Funnell of Aspire Foundation is teaching social tenants and homeless people how to start their own businesses. Simon Brandon finds out more

  • With flying colours

    25/02/2011

    Resident volunteers are ahead of the game when it comes to the big society. Lydia Stockdale finds out how staff from a group of northern housing associations are making sure these active tenants receive formal recognition

  • Live issues

    24/02/2011

    How Liverpool Mutual Homes is using film-making to help tenants get involved in their communities

  • Back to work

    18/02/2011

    Landlords are under pressure to help workless residents, but many feel ill-equipped. The third in a series of articles advising on how to assist tenants into employment focuses on interview technique. Matt Lewis reports

  • You’re hired!

    18/02/2011

    With youth unemployment at an all time high, apprenticeship schemes are more important than ever. Lydia Stockdale finds out how one landlord is offering young people a hand

  • A worthwhile lesson

    11/02/2011

    Teaching tenants in homes with green deal retrofits to change their behaviour will be key to making the investment in these buildings worthwhile. Nick Duxbury reports

  • No man’s land

    11/02/2011

    It’s been 10 years in the making but for one group of older women their dream of an all-female community is close to coming true. Anita Pati investigates

  • Equal opportunities

    10/02/2011

    Ahead of tomorrow’s Women in Housing special issue, Ruth Burton, regeneration programme manager at Metropolitan Housing Partnership explains why the housing group formed its own women’s forum two years ago.

  • Here’s looking at you, kids

    04/02/2011

    After an Inside Housing investigation revealed councils are neglecting their duty to assess vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds, Alice Ross reports from an authority where young people get all the attention they need

  • Dignity in death

    28/01/2011

    Those working with homeless people must face the possibility of them dying. Katie Puckett discovers the six steps to meeting the needs of vulnerable people at the end of their lives

  • Satisfaction guaranteed

    21/01/2011

    Research shows more than a third of residents say repair jobs could be better. Maintenance expert Shaun Aldis explains what landlords can do to keep their customers happy

  • Weed ‘em and reap

    21/01/2011

    Improving open spaces can improve health and wellbeing, curb anti-social behaviour, encourage residents to interact and create jobs. Simon Brandon finds out how the green-fingered approach works.

  • Catching up with subletters

    23/12/2010

    Earlier this month the government announced its latest crackdown on unlawful subletting. Here Emma Vick, counter fraud team manager in Newham, explains how her authority has been tackling the problem

  • High society

    17/12/2010

    An east London high-rise resident has honoured his home by turning it into art

  • Teenage revolution

    10/12/2010

    A Liverpool landlord is letting its young tenants take over the roles of key staff members for a day. Carl Brown finds out how they got on in the hot seat.

  • Doorway to a life indoors

    03/12/2010

    A project giving homeless people cash to spend as they wish is helping to get them off the streets. Katie Puckett reports

  • A new lease of life

    26/11/2010

    A London housing association is buying private properties and revamping them to help tackle the capital’s housing shortage. Lydia Stockdale finds out more

  • Golden ideas

    26/11/2010

    Housing charity Hact celebrated turning 50 this year by launching its Golden Projects competition to encourage bridge building between housing providers and communities. Anita Pati reveals the lucky winners of the cash prizes

  • Problem callers

    26/11/2010

    When Housing Solutions Group discovered that just 2.5 per cent of tenants accounted for 11 per cent of its repairs expenditure, the 4,200-home landlord decided to call time on the serial offenders. Here John Barnes explains how the group changed tenants’ behaviour and saved £87,000 in the process

  • Covering letters

    19/11/2010

    Landlords are under pressure to help workless residents, but many feel ill-equipped to deal with them. The second in a series of articles giving advice on how to help tenants into employment focuses on covering letters. Matt Lewis reports

  • Stop at the red light

    19/11/2010

    A project in Leeds is helping to house the city’s sex workers and turn their lives around. Helen Clifton reports

  • Simply the best

    12/11/2010

    Nurturing employees is hard when financial rewards are few, but doing so is vital to the future success of housing organisations. Anita Pati finds out how to get the best from staff without breaking the bank

  • History in the making

    05/11/2010

    Last month, Southern Housing Group’s Samuel Lewis Trust estate on Liverpool Road in Islington, London, turned 100.

  • The greener house effect

    05/11/2010

    For the most environmentally friendly way to insulate homes look no further than greenery. Trees, plants and shrubs are the best way to keep cold out of homes and tackle fuel poverty, says Anita Pati

  • Read all about it

    29/10/2010

    Think the only way to communicate with tenants is online? Think again, says Kirsten Foster. Good old-fashioned print is still the best way for some social landlords to get their message across

  • The green fingers of Greenwich

    22/10/2010

    A reclaimed patch of common land on an estate in south east London is now an award-winning vegetable garden. Anita Pati finds out how it was transformed

  • Finding a safe house

    15/10/2010

    Victims of domestic violence can need constant rehousing as they escape their past. But a group of housing associations has solved this problem by creating a network of secure homes. Chloë Stothart finds out more

  • A growing problem

    08/10/2010

    A social landlord in the west midlands is cracking down on the tenants cultivating drugs in its properties - and saving thousands of pounds. Chloë Stothart reports

  • Easing the burden

    27/09/2010

    As the National Housing Federation launches a loan scheme to combat door-step lenders, Wellingborough Homes explains how it has been helping tenants with financial problems.

  • Save your energy

    17/09/2010

    The world’s energy consumption is major cause for concern, and housing makes a massive contribution to the globe’s carbon footprint. Anita Pati finds out how delegates at the first International Social Housing Summit can help

  • Powerhouse to PassivHaus

    10/09/2010

    The coal mines and the industry they fuelled have long stood idle, but now green housing is giving Welsh industry a new lease of life. Chloë Stothart reports

  • Purrfect solution

    10/09/2010

    Installing solid wall insulation can be costly and time-consuming, but a new laser measuring system called Whiscers is speeding up the process - and without the tenant having to move out. Nick Duxbury finds out how

  • There’s no place like home

    10/09/2010

    A pressing topic at the International Social Housing Summit at The Hague next month will be how housing and healthcare providers can support our rapidly ageing population to stay where it wants to be: at home. Lydia Stockdale reports

  • Homelessness? There’s an app for that

    03/09/2010

    A new iPhone app lets you ‘adopt’ a young homeless person. Anita Pati finds out how it’s leading to a rise in donations

  • Nurse knows best

    27/08/2010

    Housing 21 is addressing the needs of tenants with dementia by employing its own specialist nurse. Anita Pati finds out what advice she is dispensing

  • A home for life

    20/08/2010

    In 1948 Dolly Wren moved to a new social housing estate in post-war London. Fiona Quirke finds out how the mix of general needs and sheltered housing means she’s still there today.

  • Home help

    13/08/2010

    In the first of a two-part series focusing on homelessness organisations, Chris Ames and Lydia Stockdale find out how charities can soften the blow of government spending cuts through hard-hitting fundraising adverts aimed at the public

  • School for sleuths

    06/08/2010

    Forward-thinking landlords are training their tenants to scrutinise their performance. Lydia Stockdale discovers how the official qualification for the role can benefit all involved

  • Off the streets

    04/08/2010

    Why a Suffolk housing association has invested in a youth centre to stem anti-social behaviour

  • Looking for trouble

    30/07/2010

    Residents on a west London estate are taking direct action to stop anti-social behaviour. Martin Hilditch spent an evening with the resident patrol to find out why the Home Office is sitting up and paying attention.

  • Risen from the ashes

    30/07/2010

    A supported housing project destroyed by fire has been rebuilt and now offers residents independent living in an idyllic setting, says Rhiannon Bury

  • Brighter by design

    27/07/2010

    Architect Renzo Piano is known for his controversial designs, including the Pompidou Centre in Paris, but one of his latest projects is slightly more restrained.

  • Pitching in

    23/07/2010

    She was a Fleet Street editor - now she’s an organic farmer and Boris Johnson’s food guru. Here Rosie Boycott explains why she wants to get the capital’s residents growing their own and how social landlords can help

  • Homelessness trailblazers

    19/07/2010

    Six projects working with homeless people have been shortlisted for the 12th Andy Ludlow homelessness awards.

  • Dealing with dementia

    16/07/2010

    A pilot project is giving residents with dementia extra support so they can stay in their own homes. Anita Pati reports

  • Make a show of it

    16/07/2010

    The government’s personalisation agenda gives vulnerable people control over their care. Lydia Stockdale discovers how one group of residents is using its influence to ensure integrated services are put centre stage.

  • Built to last

    13/07/2010

    Last week saw the annual Housing Design Awards take place in London. Here we profile the overall winner, and list those featured in each category.

  • Lifesavers

    09/07/2010

    A year on from explaining its pioneering role in mortgage rescue, Bromley Council shows what more can be done to help struggling homeowners. David Gibson reports

  • The key to fraud detection

    09/07/2010

    When Newham Homes overhauled its security arrangements it hoped to expose some tenancy fraud. But, as Katie Puckett reports, it uncovered much more than expected

  • New life cycle

    02/07/2010

    A new breed of business is changing the lives of homeless people in Preston. Marie-Claire Kidd reports from Britain’s first commercial recycling and social welfare centre

  • Tackling the tenements

    02/07/2010

    Slum-like living conditions in Glasgow’s Govanhill have shocked ministers into action. Now the Scottish Government is using the rundown area to test new laws aimed at tackling rogue landlords and improving their tenants’ homes. Can it work, asks Clare Harris.

  • Partnership means prizes

    25/06/2010

    Derbyshire Dales Council works with six housing associations to deliver an impressive number of new homes each year. Lydia Stockdale finds out how the award-winning team does it

  • The green, green grass of home

    25/06/2010

    Television presenter Kevin McCloud has come up with a Grand Design of his own - to build a sustainable housing project that could work anywhere. Nick Duxbury joins him onsite to find out more.

  • Breaking the habit

    18/06/2010

    Drug problems are hard to tackle when rehabilitated addicts are forced to return to their old neighbourhoods. Lydia Stockdale visits one housing association that’s helping them escape the ghosts of their past and make a fresh start.

  • Down memory lane

    18/06/2010

    A project in Kent has found a way to get isolated older residents more involved in their communities. Anita Pati reports

  • Joining forces

    15/06/2010

    Cassandra Favager explains how Hyde brought together 17 agencies to help families with the impact of a regeneration scheme in Islington.

  • Get a job lot

    11/06/2010

    Lydia Stockdale discovers how recruiting housing officers en masse means lack of experience isn’t necessarily a problem

  • Have you missed your connection?

    04/06/2010

    Much is made of the need for joined-up work between housing, social services and the police. But as these three case studies show, applying best practice isn’t always as easy as it may seem. Lydia Stockdale reports.

  • The invisible man

    04/06/2010

    When Michael Jackson approached Adullam Housing Association’s homelessness team he didn’t officially exist. And there are more and more people like him who fail to appear on official lists, reports Martin Hilditch.

  • Barred from being a mum

    28/05/2010

    Rules preventing mothers leaving prison from living with their children are causing them to reoffend. Nick Duxbury discovers the housing programme which breaks the cycle and is poised to go nationwide

  • Helping talent to grow

    21/05/2010

    In her latest visit to the Places of Change Garden Lydia Stockdale finds out how the Chelsea Flower Show entry is giving homeless people a chance to gain some qualifications

  • Get involved

    14/05/2010

    Getting tenants involved in decision-making is one way that ALMOs can justify their existence, says Anita Pati

  • From red lights to green

    07/05/2010

    When Wolverhampton Homes decided to retrofit 13 empty homes in the city’s former red light district, it hoped to attract new social tenants to the area. Nick Duxbury finds out if the plan succeeded

  • Share and share alike

    07/05/2010

    When tackling worklessness private sector companies have more to offer than social landlords might think. And, as Lydia Stockdale discovers, they are more than willing to help out

  • Supersized savings

    07/05/2010

    How do you reduce the heating bill for a typical three-bed home in Glasgow to just £100 a year? By designing the houses as if they were a McDonald’s Big Mac. Nick Duxbury explains all

  • Who opened the window?

    07/05/2010

    How do you know which eco-technologies will produce the best results when retrofitting social housing stock? Simple, place a family in an eco-refurbished house and monitor their every move. Anita Pati reports on a London pilot doing just that

  • Seeing yourself in the round

    30/04/2010

    Managers and their staff are using 360 degree reviews to assess each other and find out how they are performing. Rhiannon Bury looks at how they work - and if it hurts

  • Nine to five nirvana

    23/04/2010

    Housing organisations have blitzed the polls as the country’s top employers, Anita Pati finds out what they are doing right

  • Country life

    09/04/2010

    Rural housing enablers can play a vital role in giving communities the homes they need. But with pressure on budgets, the role is under threat. Should we care? Simon Brandon spent the day with Wiltshire-based enabler Carol Southall to find out

  • Cultivating success

    09/04/2010

    Last week, Inside Housing started tracking progress at the Places of Change garden. Here, Lydia Stockdale gets some top tips on project management from behind the scenes at the Chelsea Flower Show entry’s headquarters at Cornwall’s Eden Project

  • The retrofit revolution

    09/04/2010

    The government has allocated £17 million to find innovative ways of reducing carbon emissions from social housing stock. Kicking off our special focus on the south west, Nick Duxbury looks at how the region is spending its retrofit cash

  • Blooming marvellous

    01/04/2010

    More than 300 homeless people will plant the largest show garden in this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. In the first in a series of reports on the Places of Change garden, Lydia Stockdale looks at how the project is boosting its participants’ skills.

  • Breaking the habit

    23/03/2010

    Government targets have focused attention on the most entrenched rough sleepers. Emily Twinch reports on a scheme working with one of the hard-to-reach groups.

  • Taking a healthy interest

    19/03/2010

    Liverpool Council is reinforcing the link between good housing and good health by teaching landlords to prevent illness and injury, Marie-Claire Kidd reports.

  • What’s the bright idea?

    19/03/2010

    We all know we have to reduce carbon emissions from existing homes but how do we meet the massive cost of doing so? Steve Binks thinks he has the answer

  • OMG! Riga was just sooo much fun!

    12/03/2010

    Next time you’re tempted to post those hilarious pictures of a stag or hen weekend on the internet, just remember: employers are increasingly vetting job candidates online and they might not like what they see. Katie Puckett reports

  • Reaping the benefits

    09/03/2010

    Ninety per cent of calls to Stroud’s revenues and benefits department were ‘waste’, the council has found. Peter Middleton explains how it came to this conclusion, and what it did about it.

  • Calming measures ahead

    05/03/2010

    Police force speed awareness programmes were the inspiration for a new programme designed to steer tenants away from developing anti-social behaviour. Steve Gough reports

  • Green guidance

    02/03/2010

    Places for People’s Nicholas Doyle explains how the association is using a series of short films to help its residents improve the way they use energy

  • Opportunity knocks

    26/02/2010

    Tough times notwithstanding, the south east’s housing associations remain committed to keeping their apprenticeship schemes open. Lydia Stockdale looks at what the willing will find on offer

  • Breaking new ground

    24/02/2010

    Developer First Base’s Highbury Gardens scheme shows how affordable house building can keep going through tough economic times

  • Enough to share

    19/02/2010

    Brent Housing Partnership hopes to be one of the first landlords in the country to retrofit solar panels that can make money by exporting any excess power they generate to the National Grid

  • Head and shoulders above the rest

    19/02/2010

    Great leaders are powerful and controlling personalities, right? Not so, says leadership coach Philomena Hayward - understanding the people you are leading is what will ultimately make them follow

  • Look what’s in straw

    19/02/2010

    The UK’s first straw bale council houses are nearing completion. Caroline Thorpe checks out their environmental credentials

  • Where there’s a will

    19/02/2010

    Can traditional new-build housing ever achieve high-level sustainability? Woking Council certainly thinks so and won’t let ageing planning consent get in the way of its grand designs

  • Forget me not

    12/02/2010

    The number of people with dementia is set to rise 150 per cent in the next 40 years and social landlords will have a crucial role to play in their care. Lydia Stockdale finds out about a scheme in Manchester which has caring for dementia sufferers very much in mind

  • Every little helps

    05/02/2010

    Landlords keen to improve customer satisfaction or recruit better staff are increasingly turning to private commerce for inspiration, says Ben Cook

  • If you’re HAPPI and you know it, clap your hands

    05/02/2010

    The HCA’s report on creating housing to suit an ageing population is full of practical recommendations. But some housing associations are already showing how it should be done, as Zoe Gray finds out

  • Street fight winners

    05/02/2010

    Five councils are up for an award recognising their innovation in tackling anti-social behaviour. Anita Pati takes a look at their tricks of the trade

  • Welcome to the den

    05/02/2010

    There are no cameras, no besuited businessmen and no cries of ‘I’m out’. But social landlords inviting tenants to take part in their own versions of TV’s Dragons’ Den are finding the format a hotbed of good practice ideas, says Katie Puckett.

  • Street art

    22/01/2010

    Swinging on ‘the gate of fear’, throwing leaves in wind tunnels and doing the moonwalk on gravel: these were just three of the ways in which young people living on Southwark Council’s Sceaux Gardens estate in Camberwell found that they could enjoy their surroundings while working with the artist Lottie Child last summer.

  • The real good life

    22/01/2010

    While world leaders squabble over making a meaningful commitment to climate change, one group of activists is already leading the zero-carbon life. Simon Brandon visits the Kew eco-village in London to find out how.

  • Keeping time

    15/01/2010

    Not enough hours in the day? Anita Pati quizzes a time-management expert who works with not-for-profit sector employees

  • Reaching out

    13/01/2010

    Gentoo Group came out top among housing providers in the Stonewall survey of gay-friendly employers. Equality and diversity co-ordinator Pam Walton explains what the organisation does differently.

  • Helping hands

    08/01/2010

    Volunteer schemes work best when people are clear about what’s expected of them. Lydia Stockdale sets out some simple guidelines to ensure everyone is in the picture

  • Cutting emissions without breaking the bank

    05/01/2010

    Zero carbon homes are the green dream, but meeting level five of the code for sustainable homes gives many of the benefits without all the costs. A Family Mosaic scheme in London shows how it is done

  • Take it all on board

    04/12/2009

    Whether an organisation satisfies the Tenant Services Authority’s new inspection regime will depend on the decisions taken in the boardroom. Alistair McIntosh pulls up a chair and calls the meeting to order

  • Target practice

    04/12/2009

    Having an Audit Commission inspection may not exactly be welcomed - especially now that there are new standards to meet. But if you prepare properly you could hit the inspection bull’s-eye. Anita Pati reports

  • ‘We don’t really do it like that, dear’

    27/11/2009

    Young people don’t like being talked down to. So one east London housing association has set up a youth empowerment board to give them a real voice in their community. Katherine Levy meets some of its pioneering members

  • UKHA 2009: Contributing to housing and education

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Bournemouth Churches HA - Learning 744

  • UKHA 2009: Contributing to housing and health

    20/11/2009

    Winner : The Extra Care Charitable Trust - Well-being project

  • UKHA 2009: Creating better places to live by regenerating communities

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Fabrick - Trinity Development, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough

  • UKHA 2009: Creating integrated and safer places to live

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Liverpool Housing Trust - Learning lessons from the past: a JIGSAW youth squad project

  • UKHA 2009: Delivering better accountability and resident involvement

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Bron Afon Community Housing

  • UKHA 2009: Encouraging innovation and efficiency

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Sovereign Housing Group (on behalf of Sovereign Development Consortium) - Innovation, delivery, efficiency

  • UKHA 2009: Inspirational colleague award

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Darren Wilkinson - Maintenance technician, Guinness Northern Counties

  • UKHA 2009: Meeting housing needs and aspirations in a changing market

    20/11/2009

    Winner : East Thames Group - Grand Union Place

  • UKHA 2009: Meeting the needs of vulnerable people

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Birmingham Council - Supporting People - lay assessors

  • UKHA 2009: Outstanding achievement in housing in England

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Fabrick - Trinity Development, Middlesbrough

  • UKHA 2009: Outstanding achievement in housing in England/the UK

    20/11/2009

    Overall winner : Clanmil Housing Association - A shared future at Causeway Meadows

  • UKHA 2009: Outstanding achievement in housing in Northern Ireland

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Clanmil Housing Association - A shared future at Causeway Meadows

  • UKHA 2009: Outstanding achievement in housing in Scotland

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Link Group - Older persons’ advice project

  • UKHA 2009: Outstanding achievement in housing in Wales

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Rhondda Housing Association - Together we can

  • UKHA 2009: Raising the standards of customer services

    20/11/2009

    Winner : Birmingham Council - South Lozells housing regeneration consultation project

  • Quick exit

    13/11/2009

    Decanting residents from their homes normally takes months to plan. But when a 1960s tower block was found to be a fire risk in July this year, Calderdale Council got them out within days. Mark Thompson, head of housing and the environment at the council, explains how

  • That’ll do nicely

    06/11/2009

    There’s one sure way to give tenants what they really want from a refurbishment and that is to put them in charge of the procurement process. Lydia Stockdale finds out what happened when a Liverpool housing association tried it

  • Re-humanising housing

    05/11/2009

    Jill Gale, director of housing at Hounslow Homes, explains how the arm’s-length management organisation has transformed its anti-social behaviour service to the benefit of staff and tenants

  • Be mine?

    30/10/2009

    Want to engage tenants in green living? Philippa Ward proposes that inspiring ideas and practical applications will persuade them to say ‘I do’

  • Count your chickens…

    23/10/2009

    …and your potatoes, strawberries and tomato plants, because tenants are raring to live off the land. Marie-Claire Kidd reports on a Transpennine Housing initiative to help them do just that

  • You are not alone

    16/10/2009

    The Andy Ludlow Homelessness Awards celebrate creative solutions to homelessness in the capital. Anita Pati profiles this year’s winner

  • Mean streets

    09/10/2009

    Community safety depends on agencies working together - and the government wants to see more of that. Christopher Smith spent the day with a housing association leading the way on such partnerships to see how it’s done.

  • Safe to speak

    09/10/2009

    Supporting the victims and witnesses of crime can give them the courage to come forward and create safer communities, as one Liverpool-based landlord has discovered. Steph Harrison reports

  • Tools of the trade

    09/10/2009

    There is an increasing number of safety gadgets on the market, but are they worth buying? We picked three - and asked housing workers what they thought of them

  • When landlords step in

    09/10/2009

    Gordon Brown’s a fan. The figures - a halving of targeted families facing anti-social behaviour sanctions - speak for themselves. And now they are backed by special tenancies. So why are landlords reluctant to use family intervention projects? Ben Cook finds out.

  • Singing loud and proud

    02/10/2009

    A music project run by Sanctuary Housing is transforming young lives. Simon Brandon finds out how

  • Seeds in the city

    18/09/2009

    Helping urban tenants to grow their own food can boost well-being and bind communities, says Philippa Ward

  • The touch of a button

    18/09/2009

    With budgets squeezed and belts tightened, landlords are constantly seeking new time and money-saving schemes. This is where new technology comes into its own, says Ben Cook. Here he reveals what’s at your fingertips.

  • A design for life

    11/09/2009

    If you had £4 million to build a new hostel for homeless people, what would it look like? Christopher Smith visits an innovative project that rose to the challenge

  • Living the high life

    04/09/2009

    Three 24-storey tower blocks in west London are being given a green makeover which will include a set of wind turbines and the largest array of solar panels in the capital

  • Refurb for the masses

    04/09/2009

    A north London flat in a Victorian house is the scene of a pilot experiment to see if eco-friendly refurbs can be achieved at mass-market prices. Philippa Ward paid a visit

  • Now that’s street cred

    28/08/2009

    Who better to tackle the problems of homelessness than people who have been homeless? Camille Ward reports

  • Measure of success

    21/08/2009

    How can landlords be sure their efforts to bind communities are working? Simon Brandon reports on a new project that gauges the benefits of cohesion schemes.

  • Worth every penny

    21/08/2009

    Tough economic times can make it harder for tenants to pay their rent - but last year Barnet Homes managed to collect 98.5 per cent of it. Sam Thorp finds out what the landlord is doing right

  • Global recognition

    19/08/2009

    Projects helping Brazilian farmers build their own homes, and homeless people in Poland, have been recognised in the World Habitat Awards. Tom Lloyd finds out why

  • Solid foundations

    07/08/2009

    Simon Brandon reports on two innovative schemes helping young people to gain construction skills

  • Uniform strategy

    07/08/2009

    Few things define a community more than their schools and homes - so why not develop the two together? Neil Merrick reports on how developers and landlords are doing just that

  • The instant eco-home

    31/07/2009

    Is it true that retrofitting uses less energy than building new green homes? A new pilot home suggests so. Anita Pati reports

  • Dark days

    17/07/2009

    Caroline Thorpe reports on the housing staff being trained to spot the signs of human trafficking as they join the fight against the crime

  • Hey, good looking

    17/07/2009

    Hot on the heels of Gordon Brown’s cash boost for council housing comes proof that cutting-edge design and social housing can go hand in hand. A local authority-led development has scooped top prize at this year’s prestigious Housing Design Awards, while four other awards go to housing associations. Martin Spring presents the winners

  • A financial helping hand

    10/07/2009

    A new survey demonstrates that housing organisations are perfectly placed to tackle financial exclusion, writes the CIH’s financial inclusion champion Sharon Wheeler

  • The big question

    03/07/2009

    A philosophical approach is bringing communities and tenants closer together, finds Simon Brandon

  • Guiding lights

    30/06/2009

    The work of councils who achieved beacon status for ‘homes of the future’ is being highlighted as part of National Housing Week. Camille Ward finds out more

  • It’s a family thing

    26/06/2009

    A scheme in Hull places disadvantaged young people like Jamie in a supportive and encouraging home environment. Sam Thorp finds out more.

  • Factory condition

    19/06/2009

    Landlords can learn a lot from the car production line and fill homes more quickly, as Roy Coldwell explains

  • Hit for six

    19/06/2009

    These are the UK’s first homes to be built to level 6 of the code for sustainable homes. Philippa Ward takes an exclusive look round and finds out how Metropolitan Housing Partnership did it.

  • How much does it cost to build a social home?

    19/06/2009

    Landlords are scoring cheap building deals now, but will the true cost of developing in tough times come back to haunt them? Kenneth Wood and Scott Ripley investigate

  • The show must go on

    19/06/2009

    The Homes and Communities Agency has made much of its role targeting funds and advice at struggling developments, such as Sheffield’s Park Hill estate. Has it made a difference? Simon Brandon examines three projects to find out

  • Homelessness is the reel thing

    12/06/2009

    A group of young people who have been homeless in Harrogate have committed their experiences to film. Harley Regan was one of those involved. He talks to Ciara Leeming

  • Out of Africa

    12/06/2009

    Ask your staff if they want to work with children near a rubbish dump and they might run a mile. But, as Simon Brandon reports, that’s just what Great Places has been inviting its employees to do in east Africa - and they can’t get enough of it

  • Ways of the world

    12/06/2009

    From Sweden to the Netherlands, via New Zealand, what do tenants want globally? And how does regulation in other countries ensure they get it? John Perry reports

  • It’s a hoard life

    29/05/2009

    Hoarding is a growing problem which can, eventually, lead to homelessness. Emily Rogers finds out how one home improvement agency is helping with a clearout.

  • Eleven heads are better than one

    22/05/2009

    Norfolk was facing a severe homelessness problem, until the area’s social landlords put their heads together to ease the pain. Anita Pati finds out more

  • To the rescue

    22/05/2009

    It helped just one family in three months, so what’s the point of the government’s mortgage rescue scheme? To find out we asked Sara Bowrey, head of housing needs at one of the first councils to use the scheme, to keep a diary of the process.

  • Green guru: saving water

    08/05/2009

    Sue Lea describes five lessons from the UK’s first large-scale retrofitting of water saving devices

  • Looks can be deceiving

    08/05/2009

    New test houses are being built at the BRE innovations park. Three hit the highest eco-standards, but there isn’t a contemporary curve in sight

  • Housing's got talent

    01/05/2009

    …or has it? Anne Elliott offers some constructive advice on obtaining and retaining star performers.

  • Under the skin

    29/04/2009

    From the outside Stadthaus looks much like any other mixed-use block with a fancy colour scheme, but its secret lies below the surface

  • Ten ways to get diversity right

    10/04/2009

    Reckon you’ve got a three-star rating in the bag? If your diversity record - showing that your services value people’s differences - isn’t up to scratch then think again. Audit Commission chief housing inspector Roy Irwin reveals.

  • Room with a view

    03/04/2009

    The recession hasn’t scuppered Highland Council’s plans to provide sites for 2,000 new homes. Emily Twinch reports on the landbank scheme making it happen

  • ‘We were young and radical’

    27/03/2009

    Two decades ago, 67 staff sharing two computers embarked on the first ever stock transfer from Chiltern Council to a newly formed housing association. Today a handful of the original team still work for the same landlord. Emily Twinch meets some of them to reminisce.

  • We love wardens

    20/03/2009

    Louis Loizou’s tenant action group has persuaded Brighton & Hove Council to retain onsite wardens - here’s how

  • The best of both worlds

    27/02/2009

    Meanwhile, in Dartmouth, wannabe chefs have the chance to work in the kitchen and live out back. Caroline Thorpe reports

  • The way to a community’s heart…

    27/02/2009

    …is through its stomach. Or so Emily Twinch found out when she spoke to the tenants learning to cook in Jamie Oliver’s kitchen

  • Care in the community

    13/02/2009

    With plans for net zero carbon emissions and thousands of metres of solar panelling, Graylingwell has top notch green credentials and a community focus too

  • Giant steps

    13/02/2009

    In volunteering for a rigorous test of their eco-credentials, four housing associations towered above the rest. Philippa Ward reports

  • How do their gardens grow?

    13/02/2009

    Encourage tenants to live more sustainably by saving them money and improving their quality of life, advises Mel Grech

  • I’m with the band

    13/02/2009

    Emily Twinch bangs the drum at a performing arts workshop for homeless people.

  • Net gain

    13/02/2009

    David Moon looks at how online tools and guides can help cut waste to landfill

  • Up to the challenge

    13/02/2009

    Using super-insulation, a green spine and a waterfront location, the pPod development won the Carbon Challenge bid by pushing sustainable boundaries

  • Asking questions

    03/02/2009

    Birmingham-based Ashram Housing has been advising film makers on the sensitive issue of honour killings. Beena Nadeem finds out more

  • Conference call

    30/01/2009

    Soha Housing residents wanted to tell the world about their achievements, so they picked up their pencils and planned their own event. Anita Pati reports

  • The right image

    28/01/2009

    How do you manage TV crews on a housing estate? Tom Lloyd visits the set of BBC drama Waterloo Road to find out.

  • North west passage

    23/01/2009

    England’s north west has one of the highest concentrations of failing neighbourhoods in the UK. Clara Story charts the progress of three very different pathfinders as they battle to maintain recovery through the downturn

  • Out of the darkness

    23/01/2009

    These children are just three of the many Central Americans whose lives have been changed by solar energy, thanks to housing providers in the UK. Matthew Barker reports

  • Being creative

    16/01/2009

    Landlords have become increasingly savvy at getting their tenants involved, writes Neil Merrick

  • Board of appeal

    16/01/2009

    A head for numbers, strategic nous, healthy scepticism, a sense of humour… Simon Brandon asks, what makes the perfect housing association board member?

  • Follow my lead

    16/01/2009

    Beacon authorities - chosen for their vision and top-class services - set the benchmark for best practice. Ciara Leeming reports

  • Home economics

    16/01/2009

    Landlords have already boosted efficiency, but Anita Pati finds how tenants and text messages are just some of the things that could help them do more.

  • Practice makes perfect

    16/01/2009

    Despite the recession, housing providers must continue improving tenant services. Emily Twinch looks at some success stories

  • The pursuit of happiness

    16/01/2009

    The architects at BPTW Partnership are at pains to point out that they are not dedicated followers of fashion.

  • Reality bites

    19/12/2008

    A council has teamed up with a contractor to make life easier for young people leaving care. Simon Brandon reports.

  • Avoiding eviction

    17/12/2008

    Shelter Scotland has accused housing associations of evicting too many tenants. Here Ore Valley housing association explains how it avoids taking such action.

  • A job well done

    12/12/2008

    Now more than ever, it is crucial that landlords help to tackle worklessness. Helen Cope sets out the best approach

  • A fast growing alternative

    05/12/2008

    Hemp has great potential as a building material, says Tom Woolley

  • Make a house a home

    05/12/2008

    Emily Twinch reports on a project using psychological therapies to help ex-service personnel stay off the streets.

  • The green green roofs of home

    05/12/2008

    Look up to find a route to better sustainability, says Ian Moores

  • Empty promises

    02/12/2008

    How Westminster Council has responded to demand for social housing by bringing empty properties back into use

  • A friendly face

    28/11/2008

    Having their kitchens and bathrooms torn out in the pursuit of decent homes can be stressful for tenants. Emily Twinch spends a day with one of the resident liaison officers on hand to calm their fears.

  • Above and beyond

    21/11/2008

    Financing housing associations’ non-core activities has got a lot tougher. But now is just when these services are needed most. Caroline Thorpe reports

  • Calming influence

    21/11/2008

    Working with the police has helped one council soothe tensions between the community and homeless people, finds Anita Pati

  • Sense of purpose

    20/11/2008

    How a film-making project is helping residents of specialist housing association St Martins move forward with their lives.

  • Under scrutiny

    17/11/2008

    Hackney Homes is hoping for good marks for tenant engagement when the Audit Commission’s inspectors come calling this week. Chief executive Charlotte Graves explains why.

  • Creepy-crawly

    14/11/2008

    Simon Brandon visits a contraption that puts a new spin on the mobile home

  • Fighting the crunch

    13/11/2008

    Working together is helping councils keep their affordable housing developments on track. Sarah Richards, from local government best practice body IDeA, explains how.

  • Building skills

    11/11/2008

    Housing market renewal isn’t just about demolition and building. Clara Story looks at how the Oldham and Rochdale pathfinder is also boosting employment.

  • A good grasp

    07/11/2008

    ASBO recipients must have sufficient mental health to understand the terms, writes Sian Evans of Weightmans

  • Personal space

    07/11/2008

    Families in overcrowded properties can wait years to be rehoused. Sam Thorp reports on a scheme that is helping some of them make the best of their cramped homes.

  • Naked ambition

    31/10/2008

    Emily Rogers takes a peek at the repairs team who got their kit off for charity

  • Chasing happiness

    27/10/2008

    If you are regenerating and your tenants don’t want to move, who do you call? The stress busters?

  • Independence days

    17/10/2008

    Anita Pati describes an innovative housing scheme helping young homeless people to invest in their futures

  • Out of the shadows

    17/10/2008

    Projects across the UK are offering gang members a clean break. Kath Grant finds out more

  • Predators beware

    17/10/2008

    Loan sharks wield huge power over communities, especially during a credit crunch. Emily Twinch reports on a scheme to hunt down illegal moneylenders.

  • Chorus of approval

    10/10/2008

    The Andy Ludlow Awards are an opportunity to sing the praises of the best of the best at tackling homelessness. Anita Pati takes a look at the innovative work of the winner and the runners up

  • The go-between

    10/10/2008

    Adjudication can be a quicker and less hostile way to resolve disputes

  • Better together

    03/10/2008

    In the right sort of building, combined heat and power systems can be highly efficient — as the Stratford Eye development demonstrates. John Shipley explains

  • Clean up your act

    03/10/2008

    The construction industry has much to learn about the best ways of turning waste into a resource, says Paul Sandison

  • Do it by the book

    03/10/2008

    Oliver Child of the BRE explains how to avoid the code’s most common pitfalls

  • Down to earth

    03/10/2008

    Philippa Ward previews the best sustainable builds, starting with an earth-sheltered development designed to break new ground

  • Good intentions

    03/10/2008

    Practical application of the code does not always unlock the hoped-for results. Adjustments may be needed, argues Neil May

  • Room with a magical view

    03/10/2008

    Beena Nadeem visits a south London bedsit given the oddest of artistic makeovers

  • Stargazers

    03/10/2008

    No one wants to be a member of the zero-star club. But, as Simon Brandon explains, there is help available for poorly performing providers

  • The sky's the limit

    03/10/2008

    Tower blocks are usually very energy inefficient. But some creative retrofitting solutions are making themgreener. Ciara Leeming reports

  • Nooks and crannies

    19/09/2008

    With development land still at a premium, homes are being shoehorned onto sites of all shapes and sizes. Kath Grant reports on the art of building between the gaps.

  • Future technology

    05/09/2008

    Creating the perfect IT system means making big changes. Ben Cook talks to three housing associations about how they updated their systems and what they learned from the process

  • Going for green

    05/09/2008

    Landlords that attain an international accreditation for environmental friendliness can claim to be truly green. But reaching the benchmark is not simply a matter of filling in a couple of forms and ticking a few boxes. The processs takes long-term commitment from everyone in the organisation, finds Philippa Ward.

  • Mobile me

    05/09/2008

    Advances in technology mean staff can spend more time with clients, yet still be in touch with the office.

  • Talking point

    05/09/2008

    Housing associations are changing the way they answer the phone - without annoying their customers. Alex Klaushofer reports

  • Watchful eye

    05/09/2008

    Neil Merrick finds that the latest in telecare can help users be independent without intruding on their lives.

  • Dealing with gangs

    02/09/2008

    The Home Office has published a guide for parents on spotting signs their children are involved in gangs. But Liverpool’s ALMO is taking a more direct approach.

  • Wii can work it out

    29/08/2008

    Neighbourhood wardens are using Wii video games to curb anti-social behaviour - and everyone’s a winner,as Caroline Thorpe finds out

  • Power to the people

    22/08/2008

    Simon Ellery reports on training schemes to equip tenant board members with the right skills for the job

  • Current affairs

    15/08/2008

    Ryan Southall and Pavol Sedlak look at an international survey of social housing

  • EPC: as easy as ABC?

    15/08/2008

    The government is championing energy performance certificates but confusion remains. Paul Staley provides a user’s guide

  • Go with the flow

    15/08/2008

    The UK should learn from Australia on sustainable water design, says Bob Sargent

  • Going live

    15/08/2008

    With Liverpool the European capital of culture, Simon Brandon reports on an internet TV station whichaims to make social tenants heard above the city’s cultural din.

  • Out of this world

    15/08/2008

    Operation Jupiter, a multi-agency approach to tackling the problems associated with houses in multiple occupation, has won global acclaim.

  • Sustainable, achievable

    15/08/2008

    Eco-friendly housing doesn’t have to be a headache. Here five homegrown projects - and one Swedish suburb - show how it’s done

  • Friends united

    08/08/2008

    As a new study reveals, grassroots efforts can be the key to community cohesion.

  • Ruff sleepers

    08/08/2008

    Kath Grant discovers a scheme where giving a dog a home means their owner gets one too

  • An equal footing

    01/08/2008

    The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 provides that it is unlawful for a landlord to evict or subject a disabled person to any detriment ‘for a reason related to their disability’, unless the landlord reasonably believes that the action is necessary so as not to endanger the health or safety of any person including the disabled person.

  • Got milk?

    01/08/2008

    A rehabilitation centre helping homeless people in rural Devon was on the brink of losing its funding - until it discovered dairy products.

  • The bigger picture

    01/08/2008

    Born in Britain, the co-operative dream has spread around the world, giving millions of people housing.

  • Back to school

    25/07/2008

    Anita Pati navigates her way through the choice of leadership courses, seminars and coaching opportunities out there

  • Fighting fit

    25/07/2008

    The blood, sweat and tears approach is helping hardened rough sleepers kick their bad habits. Caroline Thorpe limbers up.

  • Home grown

    25/07/2008

    Housing associations are nurturing leadership talent from within - using role play, online learning and awards.Kath Grant reports.

  • Match made in heaven

    25/07/2008

    Like all healthy relationships, the way a chair and chief executive work together has to be based on trust and understanding, says Simon Brandon

  • Weather the storm

    25/07/2008

    Social landlords are vulnerable and should protect themselves

  • Joint solution

    18/07/2008

    What is the joint contracts tribunal framework agreement?

  • It’s a matter of trust

    11/07/08

    Name: Rosie HewsonJob title: employment initiatives managerOrganisation:Family Mosaic Housing Association

  • Male room

    11/07/08

    There are hundreds of refuges in England and Wales for female victims of domestic violence, but only a handful of shelters for men. Alex Klaushofer looks at efforts to redress the balance

  • World class

    11/07/08

    The government is promising to raise the bar on tenant involvement. But for real tenant influence we need to look overseas, as Simon Brandon discovers.

  • Keep the faith

    04/07/2008

    With the right approach, affordable housing providers can benefit from shrinking congregations, says Paul Donovan

  • The time of their lives

    04/07/2008

    Older people’s changing needs call for new solutions, says John Belcher

  • Spot the difference

    04/07/2008

    Five days are all the preparation time housing associations get under the new snap inspection regime.

  • LGA bans the buzzwords – but can’t shake the habit itself

    04/07/2008

    The Local Government Association was quick to react to newspaper reports that a council had banned the word ‘brainstorm’ as politically incorrect.

  • It's a two-way thing

    27/06/2008

    Roy Irwin says landlords need to do more than just pay lip service to resident involvement - and picks out some examples of providers going the extra mile

  • Joint tenancy unlocked

    20/06/2008

    It has been settled in law for some time that where one joint tenant serves notice to quit on another joint tenant, that terminates the joint tenancy.

  • Pursuit of happiness

    20/06/2008

    Landlords are keeping a closer eye on the well-being of their staff, in a bid to reduce stress. Anita Pati reports

  • Just rewards

    13/06/2008

    Retaining staff in high-cost areas is challenging but, as Ciara Leeming finds out, some landlords are finding a solution.

  • On the margins

    13/06/2008

    Muslim communities are often marginalised and deprived. John Perry and Azim El Hassan look at how housing organisations are reaching out to help.

  • Preparation is all

    13/06/2008

    Alison Mathias suggests ways to get fit for a greener future.

  • Professional players

    13/06/2008

    To any housing association that finds itself stumbling in the sector’s fast-changing landscape, the Housing Corporation has made it clear where it will look to pin the blame if things go wrong.

  • Role play route to getting a roof over your head

    13/06/2008

    Two years ago, Susan Greenwood sat scratching her head.