Election panel: readers back Clegg’s warden plans

Older people told to run own services

Groups of vulnerable older people should take over the running of their sheltered housing schemes if they don’t want their resident wardens axed, according to the decentralisation minister.

Float or sink?

Council support

Union agrees to ballot staff for strike

A housing association could be hit with strike action after union members agreed to go ahead with a vote for industrial action.

Ashford Council houses

Changes to government funding structures for social housing allow Councils, for the first time in nearly thirty years, to build directly-owned houses for rent. Capitalising on these changes, Ashford Council embarked on a programme of building that is likely to see some 20 units per year added to the council-owned portfolio using private sector finance to fund the development.

New criteria

A Court of Appeal ruling has defined what constitutes sheltered accommodation, says Robert Wassall

On top of the world

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

Play your cards right

A new card game is helping older tenants rate their service

Brazil needs a new approach

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

Cheated out of their savings

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