going places - winter 2012

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Tr a n s f o rm i n g L i ve s

Issue 18: Winter 2012

Homechoice, Housing Options, Temporary Accommodation and Resettlement newsletter

homechoiceProviding rented homes throughout Stockport

Allocations Policy coming soon…

NEW

For more information, please see page 2.

Welcome...…to the winter 2012 issue of the Going Places newsletter. This newsletter is for all customers and partners of the Housing Need and Support Service, including Homechoice, Housing Options, Resettlement and Temporary Accommodation. We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for articles in the future, please contact us via the details on the back page.

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www.stockporthomes.org2 Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012

learn

Rehousing services news

To keep in line with national guidance the Council is making some changes to the Allocations Policy, including a new points system, which is easier to understand with fewer categories.

The main changes are:• higher priority for people down-sizing from a house to a

smaller property (to help free up more homes);• higher priority for overcrowded applicants;• higher priority for those who have been in the armed forces

and in housing need;• higher priority for customers working 16 hours per week or

more; and • some additional priority for people volunteering for at least

eight hours or in training for at least 16 hours per week.

All Homechoice applications will be re-assessed in line with the new policy and customers will receive a letter to advise them of their new points level.

There are also some changes to the size of property certain applicants will be eligible for due to the Welfare Reform changes that will be introduced by the Government in 2013.

• Applicants who have access to children will no longer be eligible for a two bedroomed property unless they can demonstrate they are able to afford a larger property as Housing Benefit will be restricted to one bedroom rate. Proof of income will be required.

• Two children of different sexes under the age of 10 years will be expected to share a bedroom. This change has been made to reflect Housing Benefit guidelines.

If you have any enquiries about the new policy changes, please contact the Homechoice Team on 0161 474 2975 or email [email protected]

Changes will include additional

priority for:

Overcrowding

People in employment, volunteering or training

People leaving the armed forces.

The new Allocations Policy is on its way!

!Changesto benefitsWelfare Reform

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3Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012www.stockporthomes.orgwww.stockporthomes.org

Rehousing services news

Housing Options – Your way, your choice

Get information on:

Shared ownership

Homechoice

Private rent

AdaptationsVisit stockporthomes.ehodirect.org.uk

The Housing Options Team has launched a new web-based personalised Housing Options Action Plan.

The website allows you to get information on: • buying a property through shared ownership; • doing a mutual exchange if you are an existing

Stockport Homes or housing association tenant; • renting a property from a private landlord or

lettings agent; • applying for social housing such as through

Homechoice; • accessing supported housing; • applying for adapted housing or help with

making adaptations to your current property; and

• accessing sheltered housing properties.

You can also find information on jobs and training, money or benefits, homelessness prevention, the Government’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme and disrepair at the click of a button.

The website is easy to use, personalised to meet your individual needs and provides you with the necessary information to explore the options specific to you.

For more information, see the Stockport Homes website or visit stockporthomes.ehodirect.org.uk

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4 Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012 www.stockporthomes.org

Homechoice prospects

Information about property demand

searchforahome.stockporthomes.org

0161 474 4567

Bid online.Visit:

Bid over the phone:

Number of customers currently registered for each size of property:

Homechoice advertise properties on a weekly basis. Property details are available on the Homechoice website and at the area offices, libraries and advice centres throughout the Borough.

Once customers are registered, bids can be made provided they are eligible for the size and type of property and they meet any restrictions which may apply (for example, age restrictions).

Due to the high demand for social housing and the low number of vacancies customers need to be as flexible as possible about areas and types of property they will consider. Unfortunately many applicants are unsuccessful with their bids.

The information below may help you when deciding what properties to bid for:

1 bed 2 bed

4 bed

6 bed

3 bed

5 bed

3,760 2,462

118

1

782

9

customers customers

customers

customer

customers

customers


www.stockporthomes.org Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012www.stockporthomes.org 5

2 bed house

3 bed house

2 bed multi-storey

114 53

41,624We received

bids in the last 12 months.

22

41

37

42

bids on average

averagepoints

bids on average

bids on average

averagepoints

averagepoints

Homechoice prospects

Family sized accommodation always attracts high numbers of bids and two bedroomed houses in particular always receive a lot of bids in comparison to other types and sizes of property.

Please note that these are averages and some properties will be let on lower or higher points. Areas which have fewer properties becoming available are usually let at higher levels of points.

Number of properties advertised and number of bids received by property type in the last 12 months:

Type No. of properties advertised

No. of bids received

Average points properties let for in the last 12 months

Studio 65 2,013 32

1 bed bungalow 35 623 23

1 bed flat 209 8,022 29

1 bed multi-storey 180 6,462 35

2 bed flat 95 4,499 41

2 bed house 95 10,836 53

2 bed maisonette 18 864 45

2 bed multi-storey 118 2,649 37

3 bed house 129 5,326 42

3 bed maisonette 7 101 41

3 bed multi-storey 32 260 34

4 bed house 1 29 40

Total 984 41,624


www.stockporthomes.orgGoing Places - Issue 18 Winter 20126

Volunteering, training and employment news

Following on from her highly commended runner-up position as Tenant / Resident of the Year at the Northern Region TPAS Awards, Strathclyde House volunteer Jackie Myerscough has gone on to enjoy the same success at both the NFA Awards and Stockport Homes Star Awards – well done Jackie!

The icing on the cake for Jackie and her fellow volunteers though was winning the Green Star Award for their joint hard work across all three of the Temporary Accommodation Schemes. The temporary accommodation volunteers have gone above and beyond expectations since commencing work over the last year, contributing over 1,100 hours of their own time to developing allotments and gardens,

co-ordinating FareShare food distribution, learning painting and decorating skills, and even setting up a fish tank for residents to enjoy at Strathclyde House.

Despite its sometimes physically challenging nature, this work gives people a real chance to get involved and have fun. The volunteers clearly deserve recognition for working so selflessly to improve the lives of people who are homeless. Well done to:

• Mark Beese• Paul Colduck• Chervorne Garner• Keith Goldstraw

Rachel Coyle receiving Green Star Award

Jackie receiving her STAR award

• Stuart Meakin• Jackie Myerscough• Amy Smith• Rachel Coyle

Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012www.stockporthomes.org 7www.stockporthomes.org

Volunteering, training and employment news

Rachel Coyle receiving Green Star Award

Jackie receiving her STAR award

Resettlement Services news

Stockport Homes’ Lettings Service helps households in housing need access properties within the private sector. The demand for social housing has risen and there are not enough houses to keep up with this demand. By working with landlords in the private sector we aim to increase the properties available to rent and give tenants wider choice in their housing options.

Unlike other lettings agents we do not charge fees to tenants who rent a property through Stockport Homes’ Lettings Service. We are not driven by profit, but rather have the best interests of landlords and tenants as our primary motivation.

Stockport Homes’ Lettings Service

0161 218 1083EXPERT PROPERTY MANAGEMENTWithin the first four months of the service we

let 20 properties. We set up 14 tenancies which helped single people, couples and families move into suitable accommodation. We have properties currently available and will be continuing to expand the service.

For more information, please contact Kate Pilley, Social Lettings Project Officer on 0161 218 1083 or email

[email protected]

Example kitchen from a two bedroom flat

i

Are you looking to get into work? Are you aged over 16?

The support provided through this service so far has enabled customers:

• to access work ‘taster’ placement schemes to improve their employment skills and obtain references for job applications;

• to access anxiety management and confidence building courses (for people with mental health needs or who struggle to engage socially); and

• to take up volunteering opportunities.

Please note: This programme is voluntary and will not affect your benefits.

For more information, please contact Asaf Iqbal Baz (Resettlement Officer) or Biff Reston (Resettlement Officer) on 0161 474 3772 or

email [email protected]

If you answered yes to the above and you are receiving one of the following benefits then we can help you.

• IncomeSupport• JobseekersAllowance• EmploymentSupportAllowance• Carer’sAllowance

We can help with issues that may have been a barrier to employment such as:

• family concerns – parenting, relationship issues;

• self-confidence and communication difficulties; and

• lack of training and work experience.i

www.stockporthomes.orgGoing Places - Issue 18 Winter 20128

Temporary Accommodation news

Buxton Road garden project

Work still continues with the project thanks to funding from Manchester Airport, and the garden has become a great venue for BBQ’S involving the staff and residents. All that hard work is starting to pay off; hopefully next summer will give us enough sun to get the last bits finished!

Strathclyde House goes red, white and blueHundreds of sandwiches and scones were made by residents and staff for Strathclyde House’s Traditional English Tea to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee.

It provided a good opportunity for current and former residents to catch up and children to get together to enjoy a fun packed afternoon, and the delights of a traditional English trifle.

The bouncy castle was a huge hit, and residents were able to take part in fun games and activities, including a hula hoop contest and egg and spoon races.

Article by Jason Sharp, Project Worker Assistant

Article by Katherine Tandy, Project Worker Assistant

Buxton Road’s garden project has been buzzing this summer, making it a greener and cleaner place. Staff and residents have worked hard clearing all the rubbish in the garden and filling the flower beds with compost.

Residents have enjoyed fresh sugar snap peas along with carrots, beetroot and spring onion. These fresh healthy ingredients have been well used at cooking nights at the scheme. We also donated some of our supplies to a local Sheltered Housing Scheme for older people. The garden now has a professional look about it, with the addition of a greenhouse and shed.

www.stockporthomes.org 9Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012www.stockporthomes.org


Buxton Road Olympic Celebrations

At 8am on 24 June the A6 filled with rows and rows of people (including residents and staff) waiting for the Olympic torch.

The torch procession started to approach; first was a coach holding all the torch bearers, with waves and clapping from all in attendance, followed by decorated trucks, music, dancers and flags. This added to the electric atmosphere as the Olympic torch came by held by Claudia Thomas.

At this point the crowd, the staff and the residents went crazy, cheering, clapping and waving. We heard some more cheering behind us; we turned to see that other residents had been woken by the noise and were celebrating from their windows!

This momentous occasion set a great vibe for the day with the staff and residents enjoying a brew and chatting before starting their days.

Man Utd vs GalatasarayThanks to the hard work of Project Worker Elaine Prendiville and the generosity of the Manchester United Foundation, residents from the Temporary Accommodation Schemes received 19 tickets to attend the Manchester United vs Galatasaray Champions League match on 19 September.

The atmosphere inside Old Trafford was amazing as everyone sang and cheered along with the 74,653 others present. At the end United fans walked away happy with a win, and all the residents commented on how much they enjoyed the trip, sending a letter of thanks to the Manchester United Foundation.

Articles by Jason Sharp, Project Worker Assistant

Article by Jason Sharp, Project Worker Assistant

Alongside this match Buxton Road residents have continued taking part in Stockport Street Soccer – where one day we might see the footballing starts of the future!

10 www.stockporthomes.orgGoing Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012

The annual Easter party was held on Thursday 5 April. Mark Halstead from Repair 1st organised an Easter egg collection amongst staff and suppliers.

Everyone enjoyed a room full of bunting and balloons, and a selection of party food and drinks before making some Easter bonnets and cards. This was followed by an Easter egg hunt.


Article by Becky Furness, Student Social Worker

Strathclyde artistsSome residents have been busy producing some works of art. The canvas artwork has been a great way of expressing feelings about homelessness in a creative way, whilst socialising at Strathclyde House.

The grand finale was the arrival of the Easter bunny to distribute the donated Easter eggs and have photographs taken with the children. The residents are already asking about next year’s party!

Egg-cellent Easter at Brindale House

by

H3 - Helping the Homeless into HousingText HTHH01 £1 / £2 / £5 to 70070 to donate now eg HTHH01 £5

www.stockporthomes.org www.stockporthomes.org Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012 11

H3 gets on-lineThanks to funding from Trafford Hall Tenants Resource Centre, H3 has purchased two new notebooks

equipped with Wi-Fi access. The notebooks have been used to produce the charity’s website which, as well as developing the Committee Members’ new IT skills, will showcase the great work H3 is doing in Stockport for homeless people.

The charity can now dedicate more time to:• ensuringthatthecontentiseasytofind, up-to-date and appealing;• encouragingvisitorstomakedonationsto

the charity via Local Giving; and• developingasocialmediapresence

through Facebook and Twitter.

Working with easy-go

H3 is now delighted to announce that it has begun working in partnership with easy-go, a local community transport initiative. This valuable service will help homeless families move on to their new homes.

H3 news Helping the Homeless into Housing

www.h-3.org.uk Charity number – 1147113

To donate any items or for more information, please contact Vijay Chauhan, H3 Support and Development Officer on 07800 618 628 or email [email protected]

Rags to RichesH3 is embarking on an exciting new project to collect unwanted clothing, shoes, boots, trainers, belts, handbags, bedding, curtains and textiles from the residents of Stockport. So far an eye-watering 84 stones worth of clothing has been donated!

H3 will be working to recycle all donations to provide: • much needed clothing to the homeless,

many of whom are living in temporary accommodation schemes;

• classes to educate homeless people in repairing and prolonging the life of clothing; and

• workshops on how to recycle material.

Where clothing cannot be reused the material is sold to generate funds to provide homeless people with basic household items and FareShare food, an initiative which makes use of surplus products from the food and drink industry.

When H3 became a registered charity in early 2012, it brought together a winning combination of temporary accommodation residents, staff working with the homeless, and other agencies. All of these are now sharing their strengths and resources to develop enhanced provision for people who are homeless.

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12 Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012 www.stockporthomes.orgwww.stockporthomes.org

You said, we didFollowing your suggestions, we have made the following improvements:

Barclays Bank have agreed to attend customer meetings to give advice on setting up bank accounts before Universal Credit starts.

New PVC windows with restrictors are being installed

at Strathclyde House.

The Pre-Tenancy Workshops have been changed to become one-off sessions, still covering all the essentials on moving in to a new home.

The Resettlement exit form will have more sections highlighted and in bold where customers have suggested there are important details. The Homechoice advert is now more colourful, with clearly divided sections making it easier to see which properties you can bid for.

Customer Involvement news

Thanks to funding from Vernon Building Society craft sessions will be held more regularly at Temporary Accommodation Schemes.

www.stockporthomes.org Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012www.stockporthomes.org 13

Facts and figures

Housing OptionsFrom April 2012 – September 2012

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Full rehousing duty owed

Not priority need

Intentionallyhomeless

Not homeless

Ineligible

Left accommodation provided by Home Office

Loss of private rented accommodation

Domestic abuse

Relationship breakdown

Asked to leave by parents

Decisions about homelessness

Reasons for ‘full duty’ / priority homelessness

The following facts and figures are designed to show you how the services represented in this newsletter are performing against standards agreed with you, our customers, and give an overview of what is happening here in Stockport.

Rehousing Services – Local Standards:The Housing Options and Homechoice Teams are very busy services; despite this the teams strive to ensure that customers are provided with good quality support. As a result Local Standards have been drawn up in consultation with our customers, and in accordance with national requirements. These are available on our website

www.stockporthomes.org and in a leaflet format on request – just contact the relevant team via the details in this newsletter.

From April – September 2012, all our Local Standards were on target.

0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 80 100

Temporary accommodation:Temporary accommodation in Stockport is in high demand; Stockport Homes works hard to ensure people are provided with advice to prevent them from becoming homeless, and

where this cannot be stopped it aims to ensure that they are helped to move on to their own accommodation as quickly as possible.

Number accommodated: Average length of stay (days):

Families

Single men

Single women/ mums andbabies

Families

Single men


Number of visits to theHousing Information Centre: 5,915

Average wait for an interview: 5 minutes

Average number of workingdays to answer letters: 5 days

Decisions made within 33 working days(government guidance): 91%

14 Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012 www.stockporthomes.org

Facts and figures

0 20 40 60 80 100

99%

100%

97%

98%

Repairs at Temporary Accommodation Schemes:

Resettlement Service:

Making the Temporary Accommodation Schemes pleasant and safe places to live depends upon making sure repairs are done to a high standard and on time.

To help with this, residents are involved in health and safety checks and encouraged to report faults whenever they see them and are involved in monitoring performance and making suggestions for improvements to the repairs process.

The Resettlement Team provide support to new and existing tenants in setting up and maintaining their homes. This support can be for up to two years, depending on the tenant’s needs and whether they wish to continue being involved with the service.

3,026.5 hours of resettlement support were provided.

3,014.75 hours of tenancy support were provided.

At the end of this period of the 92 Resettlement cases closed:

82 were successful

6 remained in properties but disengaged

1 moved into supported accommodation

1 fled to refuge

1 moved back to parents

1 moved into private accommodation

Percent of repairs complete within target:

Families andoffsite

Single men


Overall

!Changesto benefitsWelfare Reform

Actnow!

www.stockporthomes.org 15Going Places - Issue 18 Winter 2012www.stockporthomes.org

Welfare Reform news

Reduction for people under-occupyingFrom April 2013, the amount of Housing Benefit (HB) paid to working age tenants who have spare bedrooms in their homes will be reduced.

If you are of working age, and have a spare room, you will have your HB reduced if you are one of the following groups:

• If you are single, and live in a two (or more) bedroomed property

• Couples living alone in two (or more) bedroomed properties

• Families in three (or more) bedroomed accommodation where children could share a bedroom in other words, two same sex children aged under 16, or two aged under 10 regardless of sex.

At the moment, you will lose around £12 to £22 per week, depending on how many spare rooms you have.

Direct Payment of Housing BenefitCurrently Housing Benefit can be paid directly to the Stockport Homes. In future, this is going to change so that payments will be made directly to tenants.

Although there will be some exceptions for vulnerable people, it is essential all tenants have a way of paying their rent as soon as they receive their payment.

This could have a big impact on the way tenants manage their money, so it is important that you start to think now about how the changes might affect you. There are some things you could consider, such as getting a bank account, paying your rent by direct debit, budgeting regularly, or doing a financial health check. Stockport Homes can help you with all of these.

If you are worried about how these changes will affect you, or if you need any further advice or information, contact the

Social Inclusion Team on 0161 474 2854 or visit www.stockporthomes.org/welfarereform

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Families andoffsite

Single men


Overall

Get in touch

Accessing our servicesIf you would like a copy of this newsletter in large print, Braille, on audio tape or CD, please contact the Social Inclusion Team on 0161 474 2860 or email [email protected]

A free interpreting service is available if you need help with this newsletter. Please telephone Stockport Interpreting Unit on0161 477 9000. Email [email protected]

Opening hours for the Housing Information Centre:

Monday: 8.30am – 4.30pmTuesday: 9.30am – 4.30pmWednesday: 8.30am – 4.30pmThursday: 8.30am – 4.30pmFriday: 9.30am – 4.00pm

Useful numbers:

Housing Options Team 0161 474 4237Housing Options (out-of-hours) 0161 477 2626Homechoice bidding line 0161 474 4567Homechoice enquiries line 0161 474 2975Resettlement Team 0161 474 3772Housing Benefit 0161 217 6015Citizens Advice Bureau 0870 120 4040Stockport Advice 0161 217 6009

Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse helpline 0161 636 7525St Peter’s Square

St Petersgate

Mersey Square

Housing Information

Centre

To see when our offices are open around Christmas, please visit our website www.stockporthomes.org or see the posters in reception areas.

going places - winter 2012

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