Oldham s. Co-operative Housing Offer

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1 Oldham s Co-operative Housing Offer

2 Welcome to Oldham s Co-operative Housing Offer St Mary s RTPI award wining new build scheme

3 Oldham has an ambition to build a co-operative borough. We recognise the strong role our housing partners play with the council in developing a future where residents, partners and staff work together to improve the borough. Oldham Housing Investment Partnership (), which represents our social housing providers, (throughout this document will be referred to as providers) is committed to be part of our co-operative future. and the council have developed this offer together, to outline current and planned activity by our partners which reflect our something for something principles and ensures everyone does their bit for Oldham. There s currently major investment taking place in social housing, neighbourhoods and services by our housing partners, including around 650 new social homes being built between In December 2013, the council launched its Residential Development Framework, which sets out how it will use its land and resources to support developers and residents to access new quality homes. We recognise that part of our housing investment needs to be in people and there is a strong economic and social case in helping everybody do their bit, with everybody benefiting. We will encourage our staff, residents and partners to adopt Oldham s co-operative values. Through this document, we ve highlighted just some of the many areas where our Housing offer is and will be making the co-operative difference. Dave Smith Chair of Cllr Jean Stretton Chair of Oldham Co- operative Commission 3

4 Introduction Oldham s Co-operative Housing Offer outlines the link between existing housing-related activity by partners in Oldham Housing Investment Partnership and Oldham s Co-operative Council. It also highlights the further contribution to a Co-operative Borough that housing partners can make. What we mean by a Co-operative Borough Oldham is a co-operative council with an ambition to build a co-operative borough. This means everybody doing their bit and everybody benefiting. The Oldham co-operative approach means changing our relationship with residents, partners and local businesses so that we work together for the good of the borough. Our shared ambition To help make this ambition a reality we have developed a set of co-operative values. We will encourage our staff, citizens and partners to adopt these values in everything they do. This includes working together and supporting each other in achieving common goals, making sure the environment is in place for self-help. Put simply, our ambition is about everybody doing their bit and everybody benefiting. With reduced resources and funding, we want to renegotiate our relationship with communities, recognising that they can often find their own solutions. This housing offer reflects just some key housing activity by partners which support the something for something principles and that can be regarded as a hand up and not a hand out. We believe that housing providers and the council should be accountable to residents; however we need to change the expectations of our communities and pass on greater responsibility to them. 4

5 Warm Homes Oldham Scheme launch

6 What we re doing differently as a business One of our most established partnerships is Oldham Housing Investment Partnership (), which comprises the borough s main social housing providers who manage nearly 21,000 homes. was initially established to support development of homes; however, its role has broadened greatly to focus on investment in the wider sense, including investment in neighbourhoods, communities and services. Business Plan Launch event s membership includes: Aksa Contour First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) Great Places Housing Group Guinness Northern Counties Housing 21 Places for People Regenda Villages Housing Oldham Council s current priorities (2013/14) are: Neighbourhood management Allocations Employment and Enterprise Financial Inclusion and Welfare Reform Health and Wellbeing Cohesion 6

7 The role of Oldham s Co-operative housing offer and the council are already greatly contributing to co-operative working, but much of this is not yet widely publicised. In terms of issues such as homelessness prevention and accessing social housing, our focus in recent years has been on helping residents help themselves. In 2013 alone, our strong commitment to a co-operative borough included: The launch of Warm Homes Oldham, the first payments by results scheme of its kind, with the aim of lifting 1,000 people out of fuel poverty by March The signing of the Limehurst Village Co-operative Agreement between Regenda and the council, which sets out a commitment to work together to improve the estate. The launch of a Common Allocations Framework in July 2013, through which all main housing partners are letting their properties The launch of a second phase of The Oldham Mortgage in August 2013 to help suitable first time buyers access home ownership. A Residential Development Framework, launched by the council in December 2013, which sets out the council s offer to partners and communities to support housing growth. Need to reduce demand We recognise that, with reduced staffing and funding, the role of housing partners needs to change and that we need to focus more on activity that manages the expectations of residents and allows them to help themselves more. There are still residents who need direct support, but many are able to help themselves and some residents have unrealistic expectations on the Council and its housing partners. Demand for social housing In terms of demand for social housing, in January 2014, there were 12,802 people on the housing register, however Only 4,100 were in housing need Refusal rate on first offers for all property types is currently running over 45%. Reasons given include wrong location and area and wrong type of property, even though customers are able to check these details in advance. Through the Allocations Review, partners have recognised the need for customers to take greater care in choosing their bids and the need to promote our social housing offer to those who are working, volunteering or making a community contribution. The issue of residents taking greater responsibility forms a core part of Oldham s Co-operative Housing Offer. 7

8 Key outcomes In developing this offer, we ve highlighted some of the key areas of activity from housing partners and the council which support the move to a co-operative borough. This isn t a comprehensive list, but outlines some of the activity in place and new plans for 2014/15. Our co-operative offer is set out around 5 key outcomes: 1 Residents in Oldham can afford to heat their homes 2 Residents understand how to manage their financial affairs 3 Residents do their bit and share resources 4 Residents are proud of where they live and do their bit for their neighbourhood 5 Access to appropriate quality private housing 6 Access to appropriate quality social housing 8

9 Outcome 1 Residents can afford to heat their homes Co-operative action in place Scheme Description Lead Date Energy Switching Oldham launched the UK s third Collective Energy Switching campaign to help residents access cheaper tariffs. 8,726 residents signed up with average savings per household of 171. Further campaigns have been progressed Oldham Council Since 2012 Warm Homes Oldham The Fuel Poverty Investment Agreement which involves investment of 200k from, Clinical Commissioning Group and Oldham Council is a unique payments by results project. The project, being delivered by Keepmoat aims to lift 1,000 people out of fuel poverty by March An added aim is to empower residents through targeted fuel debt advice and support from the Citizens Advice Bureau to get off pre payment meters and move to cheaper tariffs Council CCG Aug 2013 March 2014 Investment in home energy efficiency/ fuel poverty advice partners continue to deliver a range of home energy efficiency schemes to improve properties and, at the same time support customers/ tenants to manage their bills and heating better. In 2012/13 over 5 million was invested in affordable warmth across all tenures, with over 7,500 energy efficiency measures installed and over 550 vulnerable residents given support. This includes assisting residents to access cheaper tariffs such as switching from pre payment meters where appropriate Council Since 2009 Planned and future Co-operative action Warm Homes Oldham Partners to continue with second phase of scheme to lift further 1,000 people out of fuel poverty, Council CCG April or 16 St Mary s Scheme Major investment from British Gas to FCHO and Oldham Council to convert the current District Heating System to biomass, improve energy efficiency of the solid wall homes and provide expert advice on energy efficiency FCHO British Gas Start Autumn 2014 Green Deal Expand current Warm Homes Oldham offer to help those residents who may not be in fuel poverty to improve the energy efficiency of their homes by offering Green Deal loans Oldham Council May 2014 Possible future activity Energy/ Environment champions 9

10 Outcome 2 Residents manage their financial affairs Co-operative action in place Scheme Description Lead Date Promotion of jam jar accounts and direct debits Providers are encouraging setting up of jam jar accounts and direct debits to help residents manage their finances and avoid debt Since April 2012 Money Management/ making most of your money Providers are undertaking development and 1-1 sessions with tenants to help them manage their money better. This is also covered in pre-tenancy training for new tenants Since April 2012 Credit Union promotion With Welfare Reform, providers are actively promoting the Credit Union as a means of helping customers save more Since April 2012 Discouraging the use of loan sharks Providers are promoting with Trading Standards and Illegal Money Lenders Team campaign to stop illegal money lending Council Since 2013 Promotion of Digital Inclusion Champions Some providers have introduced tenant Digital Champions to encourage and support other residents to access services online and through other means Since August 2013 Planned and future Co-operative action Further promotion of savings schemes /direct debits Further promotion planned by partners to help residents manage their finances May 2014 Further promotion of Digital Inclusion champions Current champions to be expanded by partners June Possible future activity Neighbourhood champion role to advise on general advice including money advice GM Poverty Pledge

11 St Mary s street naming with local schools 2012 Stop the Loan Sharks Campaign

12 12 Community activity, Alt Estate 2013

13 Outcome 3 Residents do their bit and share resources Co-operative action in place Scheme Description Lead Date Food banks, time banks, growing schemes Volunteering opportunities, Arts Projects Partners are encouraging customers to volunteer to support Food Banks, time banks (where they help in the community) and growing schemes, including community allotments Individual providers have schemes in place to assist general volunteering and improve the local community Since 2011 Since 2010 ROCA, Gardening competitions etc. FCHO s well-established Respect Our Community Awards encourages tenants to bid for funding for local initiatives. Housing Providers operate Joint Gardening Competitions to encourage pride in neighbourhoods Since November 2007 Work clubs partners currently operate/support a number of work clubs, aimed at developing core skills of residents and encouraging them to access employment opportunities Since 2007 Maximising social value from contracts partners assess all construction & maintenance contracts against social value contracts which include providing opportunities for apprenticeships, training & local employment Since 2005 Planned Co-operative action Links with Get Oldham Working partners to sign up to Get Oldham Working and aim to support further apprenticeship opportunities in 2014 April 2014 Minimum standards for work clubs Root and Fruit food co-op set up A review of existing work clubs will agree best practice and establish minimum standards led set up of a low priced food co-op which will provide local pop up shops for neighbourhood community residents as co-op members. To be based at Housing 21 and FCHO housing schemes and locations, with local residents input as volunteers July 2014 Sept 2014 Possible future activity Furniture recycling schemes 13

14 Outcome 4 Residents do their bit for their neighbourhood Co-operative action in place Scheme Description Lead Date Neighbourhood management/ clean ups Providers currently undertake a range of schemes involving residents to improve neighbourhoods, including community clean up days Since 1990 s Community Schemes Health and Wellbeing Villages Housing run Schools out holiday activities with Community Group Network. Regenda working with Limeside residents to deliver innovative ways to improve quality of life and opportunities for local people. FCHO working with Forever Manchester Alt to increase community activity with the help of Community Builders workstream includes reps from Public Health and Pennine Care. Health and Wellbeing Activity Matrix captures the additional activity delivered by Housing Providers which have an impact on health and wellbeing. Projects being delivered: Digging for Health, Grow Your Own, BME Health Project Since 2010 Since 2013 Added Co-operative action planned for Link to Council behaviour Change Scheme Building cohesive communities partners are committed to supporting environmental behaviour change schemes planned for Aim is to ensure residents respect their neighbourhood Community champions to provide a befriending support service to new tenants moving into PFI4 properties on Fitton Hill May 2014 April 2014 Communityled Community Centres Primrose Bank and Crossley have established, a steering group, including volunteers from the community, local councillors, VAO, PCSOs which will become the management committee to run the community centres Oldham Council June 2014 Neighbourhood Charters AKSA and council piloting neighbourhood charter at Eustace Street to reinforce rights and responsibilities of new residents AKSA Oldham Council May Possible future activity Common approach to standards/ expectations linked to tenancies Joint street competitions Concessionary Garden Schemes

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16 16 The Triangle development with Countryside Properties 2013

17 Outcome 5 Access to appropriate quality private housing Co-operative action in place Scheme Description Lead Date The Oldham Mortgage Equity release scheme Support for selfor custom build Council is promoting the second phase of its scheme to assist first time buyers on to the housing ladder. In first phase 55 sales were supported. Scheme in place to support home improvement work for suitable vulnerable households in exchange for an equity share in their home Council committed to supporting suitable self-build/ custom build schemes Council Phase 2 Aug Dec 2014 Council Since 2007 Council Since 2012 Residential Development Framework Framework agreed on Council s commitment to use land and resources to support developers, housing providers and communities to build new quality homes Council Dec 2013 Let s Help You website Council launched free self-service website to link tenants with private landlords in Borough Council Jan 2014 Werneth Custom Build Scheme Council supported largest custom build scheme in Greater Manchester following promotion of site and formation of custom build association Council Jan 2014 Empty property Managing Agent Scheme 29 Properties have been brought back into residential use AKSA Oldham Council Since 2012 Planned Co-operative action Council Partnership with National Landlords Association Council to form Partnership with National Landlords Association to promote quality privately rented housing and support available for small scale landlords Council June 2014 Possible future activity Council and partners to consider options to support home ownership, quality private renting and selective licensing 17

18 Outcome 6 Access to appropriate quality social housing Co-operative action in place Scheme Description Lead Date Choice based lettings All social homes let through Council choice based lettings scheme (CBL). Makes customers take responsibility for the bids and choices they make Council Since 2010 WorkingXtra policy At least 50 % of new build and 15% of re-lets are allocated to households who qualify for WorkingXtra. This encourages customers to help their community through employment, work related training or volunteering and supports the co-operative agenda Since 2009 Making best use of existing adapted homes The full implementation of a protocol in relation to delivery and standards for adaptations which also enables the Council, partners & tenants to ensure we make best use of over 4,000 specially adapted homes stock in the borough Since July 2013 Review of Allocations Scheme Reduction of the reasonable offers from 3 to 1 will make customers take responsibility for the choices they make when expressing interest for properties advertised in the Council s CBL scheme Council Feb 2014 Campaign to promote social housing offer link to working and volunteering Re-launch of the WorkingXtra initiative will help attract new customers and encourage existing households on the Council s Housing Register to find ways to qualify for the initiative Council March 2013 Planned Co-operative action Review approach to adaptations Review of the Council s aids and adaptations service will enable the Council to make best use of its Disabled Facilities Grant Council July 2014 Possible future activity Improved marketing around housing options The Next Steps This Co-operative Housing Offer is to be officially launched in April 2014 in partnership with Oldham s Co-operative Commission. It is intended to update this on an annual basis and review in conjunction with the Business Plan. 18

19 Crossley Towers Refurbishment Scheme 19

20 Oldham s Co-operative Housing Team Oldham Housing Investment Partnership c/o Oldham Council, Civic Centre West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UH diane.wild@oldham.gov.uk Telephone Oldham Council Strategic Housing Team Strategic Planning, Housing and Transportation Oldham Council, Civic Centre West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UH john.rooney@oldham.gov.uk Telephone working for a co-operative borough