Thanksto your support

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT

Investing in people and places 4

Campaigning for more affordable housing 8

Standing up for communities 10

Making good business sense 12

Working with you 14

TogetherContents

Thanks to your support, housing issues have a higher profile than ever before

Published by the National Housing Federation 2012

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How can we ensure that affordable housing is prioritised within the context of significant political and economic change? How can we meet the soaring demand for homes without losing sight of communities and the people who live in them? These are the fundamental questions that have occupied us all over the past 12 months. And by working together we have started to find some of the answers.

Successful lobbying with MPs, ministers and stakeholders has secured amendments to new legislation, and by campaigning in partnership we have given housing need a higher profile than ever before. Through all of this your support in strengthening relationships with decision-makers, responding to consultations and engaging with the new agenda has amplified our impact – challenging perceptions of affordable housing providers and strengthening our collective reputation.

This document highlights some of the key achievements of the sector and of the Federation over the past year. Although there are still many challenges ahead, we are determined to continue our work with you, and on your behalf, to ensure that housing associations and affordable housing remain at the heart of community life and economic growth.

David Orr Chief executive, National Housing Federation

Together

Investing in people and places

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* £1 of development spending contributes £1.40 to the wider economy (research by Oxford Economics for the National Housing Federation, 2010)

** Invest in housing, Invest in health, National Housing Federation, 2011

Working in partnership we’ve achieved national and local recognition for the economic and social benefits of affordable housing.

£8 billion contribution to the economy though housing development*

New planning legislation supports sustainable and affordable housing development

£315m saved every year through investment in housing-related support services**

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT

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Across the country housing associations help people return to work, reduce crime, create jobs and transform local neighbourhoods… a testament to what local initiative and local innovation can do for local communities. This is decentralisation that works – people taking control of their lives. Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Minister for Decentralisation and Cities endorses the Placeshapers report Localism that works.

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THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT

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“Our ethos is to help communities grow and to take responsibility for their own area. It’s inspiring that people who have faced many challenges in life, or who have been out of work for a long time, can come together to achieve this kind of result.”

Chris Reed, Assistant Director, Three Rivers Housing, national winner of 2011 What We Are Proud Of Awards

Award winning project achieves

34% reduction in crime

in MPs who think housing associations improve neighbourhoods*

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT

14% increase

* ComRes research for the National Housing Federation, 2011

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“The Federation’s regional network of Local Investment Plan leads has made engagement with local partners so much easier.”Colin Molton, Executive Director (South and South West), Homes and Communities Agency

“By working together the Federation and the Rural Alliance have demonstrated the considerable value of affordable housing to the rural economy and the people of rural areas.” Adrian Maunders, Chair, Rural Alliance

“The contribution housing associations make is clear – better health outcomes, fewer demands on NHS services and lower costs.”Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health

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CampaigningTogether we’ve kept the housing crisis high on the political agenda and sparked a national debate amongst the media and the public.

for more affordable housing

*Source: YouGov poll for National Housing Federation, October 2011

of people agree there is a housing crisis in England*59%

The NHF’s warning that a generation will be excluded from home ownership has – at last – made housing a subject that will preoccupy politicians for the rest of this parliamentary term.Times reporter Anne Ashworth following the release of the Federation’s Home truths report

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“A public investment of £1bn – matched by £8bn from housing associations – would build 66,000 shared ownership homes for people on low to middle incomes and create 400,000 jobs, saving the taxpayer £700m in job seeker’s allowance.”

The Federation responds to the Government’s housing strategy

“I think the National Housing Federation does a fantastic job of boosting and promoting the housing industry which is of vital economic importance for London and the rest of the country.”Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

“The Government’s increased focus on the critical need for more housing is welcome. However, significantly greater funding will be needed to meet the soaring demand for affordable homes.”Keith Exford, Chief Executive, Affinity Sutton, following the launch of the housing strategy at Affinity’s Boxgrove Gardens scheme.

Standingup for communities

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Thanks to your outstanding support we’ve been successful in demonstrating how government proposals could disadvantage local people.

1,000 took action against benefit changes

“We persuaded the Government to reverse its plans to cut housing benefit for jobseekers unemployed for more than a year. Our lobbying also led to the House of Lords voting to mitigate the worst impacts of the under-occupation penalty.”Gill Payne, Director of Campaigns and Neighbourhoods, National Housing Federation

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local events raised awareness of care and support services950

“Supported Housing Month provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness among councillors, partners and stakeholders of the vital importance of care and support work for vulnerable people in our communities and the positive role housing associations play in that.”Bob Walder, Chief Executive, Longhurst Group Ltd

This year’s Welfare Action Week helped bring the community together to highlight the impact of proposed benefit changes. Ian Munro, Chief Executive, New Charter Housing Trust, Ashton-under-Lyne

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THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT

Tenants retain the right to take complaints to the housing ombudsman

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Makinggood business senseWith your support we’ve focused on key areas of risk and secured changes that will benefit the whole sector – to the tune of several billion pounds.

No VAT on professional services will save £110 million over four years

Changes to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) set to save billions

Tens of millions slashed from VAT bills through cost-sharing exemption

saved through Guardian Jobs recruitment partnership£300,000

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Proposals in the Localism Bill to extend repair duties and execute fixed-term tenancies as deeds would have created a significant burden for the sector. The Federation’s lobbying has successfully removed this risk.” Mervyn Jones, Chief Executive Yorkshire Housing (York)

“Leveraging upon the expertise of housing association auditors, including PricewaterhouseCoopers as well as a number of housing association finance directors, proved invaluable during our negotiations on accounting standards.” Jack Stephen, SORP Working Party chair, Deputy Chief Executive, Thames Valley Housing (London)

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Workingwith youWherever you are we’re working hard to meet your needs and promote the work of housing associations.

High profile conferences, authoritative publications and quality training

regional events on the latest policy and sector issues105

More than 124 regional and special interest groups bring people together to share expertise and best practice

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT

satisfied or very satisfied with conferences9,000

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“Housing associations and the Federation work together to maximise the benefits of local engagement with key stakeholders. It’s a partnership which works.” Mick Leggett, Chief Executive, Cross Keys Homes

Board member engagement is a vital tool which gives us a wider knowledge of the sector. It gives us the confidence and skills to help steer our organisations safely through these turbulent times.

Joan Newport, Chair of the Federation’s North East Board Member Forum

“Hearing from authoritative national speakers was a highlight of the South West Finance conference.”John Brace, Group Resources Director, Aster Group

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The National Housing Federation is the voice of affordable housing in England. We believe that everyone should have the home they need at a price they can afford.

That’s why we represent the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing. Our members provide two and a half million homes for more than five million people. And each year they invest in a diverse range of neighbourhood projects that help create strong, vibrant communities.

National Housing Federation 25 Procter Street, London WC1V 6NY Tel: 020 7067 1010 Email: info@housing.org.uk www.housing.org.uk www.inbiz.org