Members’ and sector news

Capping social rent increases at 5% a year would cost councils more than £3 billion in five years, new analysis warns today. While councils support moves to keep rents low, the NFA and its colleagues at the Local Government Association and ARCH is warning that the loss of funding would slowdown or even stop essential housebuilding, key maintenance and improvement works and the decarbonisation of social housing to lower energy bills and slow climate change.

Rent cap impact Read More »

This year’s housing diversity day is on 3 October. It will be a social media day of action using the hashtag #HousingDiversityDay. Social housing organisations and residents can use the campaign promotional toolkit and share their experiences and journey on equality, diversity and inclusion in the sector.

Housing Diversity Day Read More »

Bidding for Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund pilot grants opened in late August 2020 and closed barely eight weeks later, a nail-biting deadline for housing providers. Northampton Partnership Homes’ sustainability manager Paul Tucker tells the NFA that he believes this project from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is a disrupter that can change the way we think about retrofitting homes to meet 2050 zero carbon goals.

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and whole-house retrofit: A carrot that really can cut the carb Read More »

NFA member Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) has helped spearhead the launch of a new multi-agency project aimed at tackling crime and improving mental wellbeing in the borough. The Omnis Centre, based at Greenstead Community Centre (GCC), opened this month. It brings together CBH and GCC with KTM Care Ltd, Family Solutions, Catch 22, Phoenix Futures, Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, and local hate crime ambassadors.

Support for young and vulnerable residents through community cafe Read More »

Residents at Solihull Community Housing’s extra care housing scheme, Saxon Court, are celebrating after receiving a garden makeover.
After spending the past two years in lockdown isolation, Saxon Court residents expressed an interest in creating a new ‘wellness garden’ – a place to help them be mindful, relax and encourage the return of friends and family.
The residents’ group were thrilled to win funding of £6,096 from Severn Trent Water’s Community Fund, and Severn Trent engaged Community Gardening Services (CGS) to help develop the garden.

New ‘wellness’ garden for Solihull Community Homes residents Read More »