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Short on time? Tuesday’s housing news in five minutes

A round-up of the top stories this morning from Inside Housing and elsewhere

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Short on time? Tuesday’s housing news in five minutes #ukhousing

A round-up of the top stories this morning from @insidehousing and elsewhere #ukhousing

Top story: New STAR survey framework launched with focus on safety and rating system

A new version of the STAR survey framework – the sector’s most widely used tenant satisfaction survey – has been launched.

The changes follow a review of the framework carried out in the wake of the Social Housing Green Paper, which was published in August 2018.

Based on views gathered from 13,000 residents and over 300 landlords, the new framework reflects wider changes in the sector, including an increased focus on safety.

Click here to read the full story

Bromford eyes sustainable financing after completing first ESG-linked deal

One of England’s largest housing associations is looking to pursue more sustainability-linked funding after it agreed a £50m revolving credit facility with NatWest. The deal included an environmental, social and governance (ESG) wrapper.

This means the margin on the loan will lower if Bromford is able to successfully meet environmental targets related to the energy efficiency of its existing homes.

Other landlords, including L&Q and Peabody, have recently signed similar deals that link funding to social goals, including employment support. Last week, Clarion became the first in the sector to announce a sustainability-linked loan.

Click here to read the full story

Lunchtime long read

Lunchtime long read

Universal Credit was back in the headlines last week as news hit of further delays to the roll-out of the troubled benefit system. This morning, Bill Tidnam, chief executive of homelessness charity Thames Reach, writes about how helping tenants navigate the new system is key to preventing homelessness.

Click here to read the full story

Quote of the day

Quote of the day

“A ruthless advisor at Number 10 might have noticed that the Tories did least well in the big city seats where homelessness and affordability problems are at their most acute.”

Ahead of next month’s Budget, Jules Birch looks at the various options open to Boris Johnson’s new government and asks which direction it will take.

Read the full comment piece here

In the papers

In the papers

Picture: Getty

The Guardian reports on new government data which reveals how homeownership has plummeted among people aged 35 to 44. That age group is three times more likely to rent than 20 years ago.

Also in The Guardian is a report on comments made by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, chair of the Grenfell Inquiry, who told attorney general Geoffrey Cox that people involved in the refurbishment are facing possible charges of fraud.

Meanwhile, ITV News has obtained figures which show that the number of people with disabilities and medical conditions on the housing waiting list has risen by almost 11,000 in two years.

Local news

Local news

Picture: Getty

Norwich Council’s housing company made a loss on its first scheme and has not repaid a £6m loan from the authority, according to the Eastern Daily Press.

The Welsh housing minister has said the Welsh government will increase funding for the Housing Support Grant, viewed as one of the main ways of preventing homelessness in the country, if it sees an increase in its budget from Westminster, ITV News reports.

Also in Wales is the introduction of a new bill which will prevent landlords from serving eviction notices in the first six months of a tenancy, Mortgage Strategy reports.

Around the sector

Around the sector

Picture: Compass Support

Compass Support, the charitable subsidiary of housing partnership The Pioneer Group, is looking for teams to sign up for this year’s charity football tournament during Mental Health Awareness Week on 23 May.

The event will be held at Star City Goals in Birmingham and there will be 15 five-a-side teams with players all over the age of 35. Matches will take place from 10am to 4pm and spectators and supporters are all welcome.

While the football is open to both male and female players, it has to date been used to raise awareness of male mental health services, giving men an opportunity to interact with others and encourage them to talk about any issues they face. Women are also welcome for the skills they bring to the game too, both in terms of advice and football.

If your company would like to sign up a team or sponsor the event, get in touch with Compass Support at contactus@compass-support.org.uk.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what your organisation and staff are doing, email editorial@insidehousing.co.uk.

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