The BIG Picture Challenges and Practical Advice National Housing Federation 19 th October 2011 Yvonne Davies Scrutiny and Empowerment Partners

What challenge? Expectations and practical solutions New Housing Strategy November 2011 CLG Final Directions to the regulator Revised National Standards Tenant empowerment Housing Benefits demonstration projects Equality & Human Rights Localism Health and Social Care Bill Right to Buy

Tough Operating Environment What do the cuts mean for your organisation? Have you considered all options before you cut services HAs have been inventive, strong & resilient Welfare Budget £11b Savings by 2014/15 New 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 Strategy Are you aware of the new strategy? In addition to plans for housing in the Localism Bill….. Set out Government priorities for housing, homelessness and support Inquiry into financing new housing supply More efficient management (VFM) More home ownership & Mobility Protecting the vulnerable High quality and sustainable homes

CLG Final Directions to TSA Are 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 Housing Have 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 Policy Mobility through National Home swap Local allocations Policies Homeless to private sector Under/overcrowding

Tenant Empowerment Boards 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 Structures  Tenant structures  Continuous improvement strategies  Performance  What 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 2012 Run for one year – principle - HB paid to tenants Switchback if the rent is not forthcoming Pilots on exceptions Pilots on additional financial support

Equality & Human Rights Have 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 life Prohibition of discrimination

Health and Social Care Bill What changes to funding of long term care? How will they impact on supported schemes? Absence of housing professionals at tables Are your services prepared for an aging society in terms of independence, health and well being in older age Supporting 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 Acquire More co-operatives Opportunities for stock transfer? New build replacements – can you deliver? How quickly? – 46% discount - is that not enough?

and there is always more Big and small Changes to Planning Policy Anti Social Behaviour Greening your organisation Loan Sharks and Financial inclusion Bridging the gap in supporting people payments Social cohesion in our communities which are the most deprived of all Wheel clamping & CCTV!

One answer? No just mitigation Practical advice Heightened awareness to risk More commercially minded and business like Room for specialism and enterprise Room 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 listening Questions and Discussion Tel: