Isle of Wight to halve supported homes cash

Boarded up in Bradford

As Gingerbread Housing Project closes for good, Rhiannon Bury kicks off our procurement special by examining the devastating human impact of cuts to Supporting People budgets.

Local problem

Festive survival tips

Christmas can be a hard time for social housing tenants so they need useful advice, says Inside Housing’s anonymous columnist

Rewriting the rule book

Forty-one elected police commissioners are set to take charge of the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour in England and Wales. Lydia Stockdale finds out how landlords can become a key part of the new regime

Refuges at risk

Welfare reform casts a shadow over the future of safe havens for victims of domestic abuse. Jess McCabe reports on service providers’ struggle for survival and, ultimately, that of their clients.

Support on a shoestring

Budgets are being slashed and demand is up but, as Inside Housing and Capita’s exclusive Supporting People survey reveals, many care and support providers are maintaining services for vulnerable people. Lydia Stockdale finds out how they are doing it and if it can last.

Problems shared

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.

Another law bites the dust

EU rules are forcing a rethink on asbestos regulations, says Claire Gregory, associate at Brabners Chaffe Street

The legal aid lifeline

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

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