Tag: Department for Levelling Up

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 28 December 2022.

Orbit Housing, Lambeth Council and Birmingham City Council latest of 14 providers to be criticised publicly by Michael Gove this year.

Three more social housing landlords have been named and shamed by Housing Secretary Michael Gove today (28 December) for failing residents, as he urged lawyers to direct tenants to the Housing Ombudsman to save them time and money.

Michael Gove has demanded answers and action from Orbit Housing, Lambeth Council and Birmingham City Council after the Ombudsman found severe maladministration in their handling of complaints.

It brings the total number of landlords that have been publicly criticised by the Housing Secretary this year for poor performance to 14 and the total amount of compensation that sub-standard landlords have been ordered to pay to social housing tenants by the Ombudsman, in 2022-23 to date, to over £574,000.

In a letter to the Law Society, Citizens Advice, and Housing Law Practitioners Association today, Michael Gove has urged solicitors to tell social housing tenants that the Ombudsman should be the first route for reporting complaints with their landlord – and that it is unacceptable for landlords to let legal proceedings get in the way of repairs.

While lawyers will always have a crucial role representing tenants in legal proceedings, the Ombudsman services are free to use and residents are now able to bring complaints directly themselves, potentially avoiding lengthy and costly legal proceedings.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said:

Each of these landlords have failed their tenants, letting people suffer in disgraceful conditions while refusing to listen to complaints or treat them with respect.

Housing providers will have nowhere to hide once our Social Housing Bill becomes law early next year. A beefed-up Regulator will have the power to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs with landlords footing the bill.

I’m urging everyone offering advice, from solicitors to voluntary organisations, to always direct social housing tenants with complaints to the Housing Ombudsman. Every tenant deserves a decent home, and landlords must not use legal cases as an excuse to delay making repairs or act on complaints.

Orbit Housing was ordered to pay a resident £5,000 after damp and mould issues went untreated, while Birmingham City Council (second letter this year) failed to respond to resident’s complaints of boiler faults and rotten floorboards in the living room.

In Lambeth, the Council did not repair damaged windows in a fifth-floor flat that fell out of their frames onto the ground below, leaving a resident with boarded up windows during winter, causing mould which damaged their possessions.

They follow 11 other providers to have faced severe maladministration findings from the Ombudsman. Including Clarion (four this year) who did not repair a tenant’s leaking room with rainwater leaking down walls and cracks in every room, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing who failed to resolve an infestation of silverfish and Johnnie Johnson Housing who had to pay £1,800 compensation after a resident suffered verbal abuse, threats and intimidation at the hands of his neighbours.

London Borough of Hackney, Housing Plus Group (was Stafford Rural homes), Habinteg Housing, Shepherd’s Bush Housing, Southern Housing, Onward Homes, Catalyst, PA Housing, are the others to have been criticised.

Ten per cent of homes in the social rented sector failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard in 2021-22, with 177,000 social homes affected by damp, according to statistics from the English Housing Survey published earlier this month.

The disgraceful conditions social housing tenants are living in was brought into sharp focus this year, when a coroner ruled Awaab Ishak’s death was caused by the damp and mould in his home. The Housing Secretary announced last month that he will block government funding to any housing provider that breaches the Regulator of Social Housing’s consumer standards until they can prove they are a responsible landlord, with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing the first provider to be sanctioned.

The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill will drive up standards in social housing – tackling damp, cold, unsafe homes, making sure landlords don’t ignore tenants and bolstering the Regulator’s power to act.

The government is also launching a £1 million public information campaign early next year to make sure tenants know their rights, including about the work of the Ombudsman, and can hold housing providers to account.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 28 December 2022.

New money and powers over skills, transport and housing will be devolved to local leaders in the North East, the Levelling Up Secretary has announced today (Wednesday 28 December).

If approved following a local consultation, people across Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, and County Durham will also be given the power to directly elect a Mayor of the North East. This person can act as a local champion who can help attract investment to the area and act as a powerful local voice in discussions with central government and other bodies.

The Government will guarantee the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) more than £1.4 billion over the next 30 years which will enable the new Mayor and the councils to plan for the long term, with certainty, and unlock the benefits of devolution for 2 million people living in the area.

The historic deal will also devolve the MCA control over the multi-million pound Adult Education budget so they can shape provision in a way that best suits the needs of local people; give control to the region of over half a billion pounds to upgrade public transport through a new City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement; and provide immediate support to build new affordable homes on brownfield sites. There will also a funding pot available to help place based regeneration across the region.

The North East is the sixth area to agree a devolution deal this year and means that government has now made devolution agreements with areas representing over 7 million people since the Levelling Up White Paper was published in February. The new deal also reaffirms the government’s commitment in the White Paper to offer a devolution deal to any area that wants one by 2030.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

I’m proud to have agreed a historic new devolution deal with the North East that gives local leaders more power, more money, and an even greater say on how their areas are run.

Devolution is all about letting leaders who live and breathe the region decide what is in their best interests, for their people and for their businesses.

A new mayor will ensure local priorities in the North East are at the heart of decision-making, while our billion-pound funding boost will provide the financial certainty needed to level up the area right now and for years to come.

Local leaders and mayors across the whole North East today welcomed the news in a joint statement:

This is a significant step towards securing important decision-making powers and investment for our region. This would allow us to make decisions that reflect local needs and invest wisely into projects that will make a difference for all our residents, communities and local economy.

There remains a process for all councils and combined authorities to consider the details and a public consultation before a final decision is made.

We are pleased that we have successfully negotiated a proposed deal which is a step towards reaching our ambition for this region. This is an important milestone in our journey and we will now engage with stakeholders to move the deal to the next stage.

The proposed deal sets out the government’s plans to devolve more power to the North East through:

• Education and skills: The deal provides the region with powers to better improve local skills through full devolution of the Adult Education budget and a greater say over the Local Skills Improvement Plan, which brings together local businesses, colleges, and training providers to identify the skills needed to support local growth.
• Housing and regeneration: The North East will receive £17.4 million to support and accelerate the building of new homes on brownfield land, as well as £20 million to level up and kick start regeneration, delivering new affordable homes and green economic growth across the region.
• Transport: A new City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement with government will give the North East control of up to £563 million to help shape and improve local rail services across the region, as well as the ability to introduce bus franchising.
• Local leadership: From 2024, the North East will have a directly elected mayor who can champion the area, help drive investment to the region, and can represent local people in conversations with national government.

Building on existing collaboration across the region and with central government, the new North East MCA will replace the existing North of Tyne MCA and Mayor, as well as the non-mayoral North East Combined Authority. This will bring the region together and provide a more strategic economic geography, which encompasses the whole Tyne and Wear region, as well as Northumberland and Durham. These changes are subject to the statutory processes, including local consultation and Parliamentary approval. The deal is being published today to allow necessary governance steps to proceed and will be signed in in the early new year.

If agreed, this will ensure the North East has more funding, power and flexibility to make important decisions based on what is best for people across all seven local authority areas.

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

This devolution deal is a hugely positive move for the region and marks a step change in our levelling up journey.  The region has come together and is committed to seeing the North East succeed.

The development heralds new funding and decision-making powers that will unlock the creation of more and better jobs, allow us to seize new opportunities, address issues that are holding us back and critically, to compete where we have strengths on a national, sectoral and global stage, and most importantly to do this in partnership.

As things progress, the North East LEP will come together with the new mayoral combined authority, allowing for a co-ordinated approach with one strong voice and a laser focus on delivery of everything this proud region and its diverse communities need to thrive.

The North East deal follows landmark devolution agreements earlier this year with York and North Yorkshire, the East Midlands, Cornwall, Norfolk, and Suffolk. This means that the government has now agreed devolution deals with eight of the 11 areas that were prioritised for devolution in the Levelling Up White Paper.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 23 December 2022.

Buildings will be made safer under government proposals set out today (23 December), including mandating second staircases for new tower blocks and sprinkler systems for new care homes.

This is the latest step in updating the statutory guidance which underpins building regulations for new buildings to ensure the safety of those living and working there. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will consult on its plans over the next 12 weeks.

They include imposing rules on staircases, which would mean new tower blocks over 30 metres will need to have more than one staircase

The department is also looking at mandating sprinklers in all new care homes, regardless of height, to improve the safety of vulnerable residents and help firefighters with evacuations.

Minister for Local Government and Building Safety Lee Rowley said:

There are undoubtedly lessons still to be learnt from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Department for Housing is committed to working with the sector and residents to explore what more needs to be done to make new homes across the country safe.

This consultation is the next step in the Department’s work to improve building regulations and make sure they are as clear and effective as possible.

Other measures being considered as part of the consultation include removing references to the national classifications (BS 476) from Approved Document B. This means the dual system currently in place will end and construction product manufacturers will be required to test their products to the British standard version of the European Standards.

The government will also be undertaking a call for evidence on revisions to Approved Document B covering materials and products used in external walls. In practice, the call for evidence will seek views from industry on what materials should be covered and how best to improve the clarity of the guidance provided in these paragraphs.

Since the Grenfell Tower fire, the department has undertaken the task of updating and improving fire safety guidance to prevent it from happening again. The department has already made several significant changes to the Building Regulations and its guidance. Since 2017 the department has:

• Implemented a ban of combustible materials for residential buildings, hospitals and student accommodation above 18m and provided new guidance for residential buildings between 11m-18m
• Banned the use of Metal Composite Materials of the type used on Grenfell on all buildings
• Undertook a large programme of work to clarify the guidance
• Lowered the threshold for the provision of sprinklers in new blocks of flats from 30m+ to 11m+
• Made provisions for wayfinding signage for fire fighters in new blocks of flats more than 11m
• Made provisions for evacuation alert systems in new residential buildings over 18 metres in height

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 23 December 2022.

The Homelessness Prevention Grant will support vulnerable people in England who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

Tens of thousands of vulnerable people will be protected from homelessness by a £654 million funding package government announced today, (Friday 23 December).

All councils in England will receive their share of funding from the Homelessness Prevention Grant to provide vital support to those who need it the most in their local areas over the next two years.

The money will be used to provide temporary accommodation for families, help individuals at risk of becoming homeless pay deposits for new homes and mediate with landlords to avoid evictions.

£24 million of the funding will help councils support homeless domestic abuse victims, ensuring no one has to stay with their abuser for fear of not having a roof over their head.

Today’s funding follows a £50 million top up to the grant for this year, announced last month, and forms part of the Government’s wider £2 billion package of support to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, outlined earlier this year.

Councils have a statutory duty to ensure no family is left without a roof over their heads and today’s funding announcement will help them to carry out this duty.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

The government is determined to end rough sleeping and tackle homelessness because for too many people, the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in a warm and safe environment is beyond reach.

We know that words alone are not enough. That is why government is investing £2 billion over the next three years to give some of the most vulnerable people a roof over their heads, along with targeted support to rebuild their lives.

Today’s announcement will provide vital support to families who are at risk of rough sleeping, including by providing temporary accommodation and helping with deposits.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan, said:

Everyone should have a safe and secure home. This Government is determined to prevent homelessness and to get vulnerable families and individuals the support they need. Whether it’s emergency housing, support to pay a deposit, or mediation to prevent eviction, today’s package will provide help to those who need it the most at the discretion of those who know them best.

Councillor Alex Dale, Leader of North East Derbyshire District Council, said:

We are really proud of the services the Homelessness Prevention Grant allows us to fund.

Homelessness is something that can affect anyone, especially during these challenging times, and that’s why we use the grant to serve as many local residents as we can.

Since the implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act in 2018, over 500,000 households have had their homelessness successfully prevented or relieved.

Councils can use the money flexibly based on their knowledge of the local area and the local housing market. Many councils use the funding to offer mediation services for landlords and tenants to prevent evictions or implement special programmes to identify root causes of homelessness.

Pathways of Chesterfield, for example, provides a range of services that help break down the barriers that have led someone to homelessness and give them tools to move forward.

Julian, a beneficiary of Pathways said:

This support will also get me into fulltime work now that I have a place of my own. It was a comforting experience. Until you’ve been in this position it’s hard to put into words. As Pathways housed me, it’s been a massive positive impact on my mental health.

To make sure distribution of funding reflects current pressures and demand in areas across England, the department consulted councils and other interested stakeholders on amending the funding arrangements for the grant earlier this year. Today’s allocations reflect this new formula.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 22 December 2022.

New guidance to help eligible tenants buy a share in their home for the first time, under the Right to Shared Ownership scheme.

Residents in social and affordable housing are being given the chance to buy a share in their home for the first time, as applications can now be made to for the government’s Right to Shared Ownership scheme.

The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities has today (22 December) published new guidance for tenants to access the scheme, which provides an alternative pathway to homeownership.

Tenants will be able to buy a share of their property worth between 10% and 75%, giving them more control and autonomy over the home they live in.

Tenants will be eligible if they have been in social housing for three years, their property was built under the government’s Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26, and they have lived in it for a year. This option will become available to more tenants in the coming years.

The scheme comes as part of the government drive to help more people into homeownership.

Minister for Housing Rt Hon Lucy Frazer said:

All hard-working families and young people deserve the chance to live in a home of their own.

We are helping tenants to do just that by supporting them with small, manageable steps onto the housing ladder, through the Right to Shared Ownership.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions people take and this is just one of the ways we are helping more first-time buyers reach their goal.

Shared owners can gradually increase the equity stake in their home, with the option to eventually buy a 100% share in their property. This allows people to reduce the financial impact of buying a home, by accessing a lower mortgage and deposit.

Eligible tenants can apply for the Right to Shared Ownership by completing the new application form and returning it to their landlord, who will carry out a series of eligibility checks.

The scheme follows the government’s £11.5 billion investment to build more of the genuinely affordable, quality homes this country needs – as part of the Affordable Homes Programme.

The government’s wider Shared Ownership programme has so far seen thousands of people take their first step on to the housing ladder, with an estimated over 136,600 new shared ownership homes built since 2010.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 14 December 2022.

Thousands of families who opened their homes to Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s illegal war will now receive a package of further support.

• Homes for Ukraine hosts to receive £500 a month as a ‘thank you’ for ongoing support after Ukrainian’s first year of sponsorship
• £150m additional funding for local authorities across the UK to help support Ukrainian guests move into their own homes and reduce the risk of homelessness
• Councils in England to get new £500m fund to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict (including from Ukraine and Afghanistan) and reduce homelessness
• New potential hosts urged to come forward and apply to re-match existing guests through the scheme

Thousands of families who opened their homes to Ukrainians fleeing Putin’s illegal war will now receive a package of further support, as government urges new potential hosts to come forward and apply for re-matching.

Over 100,000 Ukrainians have sought sanctuary in the UK through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, one of the fastest, biggest and most generous visa programmes in British history.

Now, in recognition of their ongoing support amidst the rising cost-of-living, all sponsors will receive an increased ‘thank you’ payment of £500 a month for guests who have been in the country for over a year.

‘Thank you’ payments will also be extended from 12 months to two years, so that guests who may not yet be ready to move into independent accommodation can stay in sponsorship for longer where sponsors are willing to extend arrangements.

In cases where sponsorships can no longer continue, councils in all parts of the UK will receive help to house Ukrainians through a one-off pot of government funding worth £150 million, as well as a new £500m Local Authority Housing Fund in England. Local Authorities are best placed to understand the support needed for local communities and, as is typically the case for various local authority funding, they will also be able to use this £150 million of funding to support other people at risk of homelessness.

This housing £500m fund will be reserved for councils in England to obtain housing for those fleeing conflicts (including in Ukraine and Afghanistan) and is expected to provide up to 4,000 homes by 2024, reducing the impact of new arrivals on existing housing pressures and eventually providing a new and permanent supply of accommodation for local communities.

Secretary of State, Michael Gove said:

“I am immensely proud of this country’s dynamic and heart-warming response to the aggression of Putin’s war.

“We have stood firm with Ukraine but we owe special thanks to the tens of thousands of families across the UK who opened their homes and their hearts to Ukrainians fleeing war.

“In recognition of their ongoing support, I’m pleased to confirm that they will see their ‘thank you’ payments uplifted for their second year of sponsorship”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan said:

“I am proud that the people of Britain continue to stand by our Ukrainian friends. Our brilliant sponsors and our local councils are at the very heart of this country’s response to Putin’s appalling war in Ukraine.

“Hosting a Ukrainian family is a massive commitment and from the amazing sponsors I’ve met, I also know that the rising cost of living is putting additional pressures on both household and local finances. That is why we are increasing ‘thank you’ payments to keep this incredibly successful programme going.

“But our work is not done yet. The crisis in Ukraine continues and I urge anyone who is able to, to come forward and volunteer as a sponsor.”

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain said:

‘Ukrainians everywhere are grateful to the government and the British people for opening their homes and hearts to Ukrainians fleeing their homes as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We welcome today’s announcement, which recognises the commitment of sponsors during difficult economic times, and will provide additional support and reassurance to Ukrainian families as they rebuild their lives and seek to overcome the trauma of war.’

So far over 100,000 visas have been issued through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and 22,000 Ukrainian guests have arrived in Scotland, 6,000 in Wales, and 700 in Northern Ireland, including those sponsored directly by the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

In some cases, where guests ‘rematch’ with new sponsors – these sponsors will be eligible for the increased payment if the guest is in their second year here in the UK.

In light of wider pressures on the public finances and to reflect the fact that a fraction of Ukrainian arrivals return to Ukraine, after arriving in the UK, the Government is having to take tough decisions including to reduce the council tariff to £5,900 per person for arrivals entering the UK from 1 January 2023.

Councils will continue to receive the previous year one amount for any Ukrainian already in the UK. Local Authorities will continue to receive separate funding in 2022-23 for the Ukraine education tariff under the rates and terms previously set out (a per child tariff of £3,000 for early years, £6,580 for primary and £8,755 for secondary and payments calculated on a pro-rata basis); and the Ukrainians families will also continue to receive government support on skills training, job centre access and welfare payments.

The £500m Local Authority Housing Fund can be used by councils in England to buy housing stock, build new homes, convert existing non-residential properties, and refurbish delipidated housing or empty homes into accommodation for families. Due to the unique challenges presented by the different groups this money will be used to target the specific needs of each cohort in a particular area.

We always anticipated that a proportion of sponsorships would fail, or would come to an end due to changing circumstances. Our wider package, together with the £2bn funding provided for homelessness and rough sleeping at the 2021 Spending Review and the £50m top-up to the Homelessness Prevention Grant this year, are designed to help prevent potential homelessness numbers rising as rapidly as they otherwise could have done. The UK Government will continue to work with the Ukrainian government, the devolved administrations, local authorities and charities and voluntary groups to support guests and sponsors under the Scheme.

All arrivals in the UK have the right to work, and to receive benefits and access public services from day one. According to the latest figures from the ONS, 56% of Ukrainian adults surveyed who had arrived in or before June were in work. 66% of those out of work are intending to look for work in the next month and 17% were already in the private rented sector. The Government is keen to ensure that Ukraine guests receive the support they are entitled to while they are in the UK, and in particular are helped into employment and suitable accommodation, as soon as possible.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 14 December 2022.

Projects in Denbighshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion will receive a share of £150 million in the latest round of the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund.

The UK Government has supported community venues across Wales that were at risk of being lost forever with £1.1 million of levelling up funding from The Community Ownership Fund.

The UK Government’s £150 million Community Ownership Fund helps community groups take ownership of local institutions falling into disrepair and give them a new lease of life so they can continue to provide vital services, create more opportunities for local people and boost local economies

The five projects celebrating newly-successful bids in Wales include a social enterprise in Pembrokeshire, a 180 year old village shop in Llandyrnog and a group that has taken over a former hotel to offer vital support to people with chronic and life limiting conditions.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:

I want to see the places that local communities cherish survive and thrive for future generations – that is levelling up in action.

Whether it’s town halls or the village shops that mean so much to rural communities, the Community Ownership Fund is breathing new life into Welsh institutions by putting them into the hands of local people.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

Last year we launched three new funds – the Levelling Up, Community Renewal and Community Ownership funds – which have so far seen more than 175 projects right across Wales given more than £165m for schemes ranging from improvements to road infrastructure in the Rhondda to money for Gwynedd locals to help buy their community pub.

These five latest Welsh recipients of the Community Ownership Fund are fantastic projects that will make a huge difference to their local areas.

Levelling up is at the centre of the UK Government’s ambitions and communities across Wales will be transformed over the coming years as this funding continues.

Dr Alan Axford OBE, HAHAV’s Chair of Trustees said:

We are amazed and delighted to have been awarded such a substantial grant from COF. This investment will be transformational, enabling us to protect, Plas Antron – our ‘Living Well Centre’. The building makes such a difference to the quality of life for hundreds of people across Ceredigion each year, many of whom are isolated and vulnerable.

Without the COF grant, Plas Antaron was at risk of being lost with time rapidly running out for us to secure the funding required to finalise the purchase.

We would like express our sincerest thanks to the UK Government, The Welsh Government, and everyone locally who has assisted in fundraising towards this vital project, for their life-changing support.

Successful projects confirmed include:

• The ‘Haverhub’ in Pembrokeshire, a social enterprise nestled in the heart of the historic Quay Street and Riverside Quarter, will take ownership of their building so they can provide a variety of educational courses for local people.
• Over £170,000 will help dedicated volunteers at the Aberystwyth and District Hospice provide vital support to people with chronic and life limiting conditions and their carers. The grant will give the local community the funds they need to buy their premises outright.
• The doors of an 180-year old village shop in Llandyrnog will fly open once again to warmly welcome local people. The shop will act as a community hub for the village and support people’s mental health with £200,000 in funding
• In Ceredigion, the Aberporth Village Hall will be rebuilt brick by brick into an environmentally friendly community hub to act as a one-stop-shop for tourists and local business.

The move forms part of the government’s drive to level up local communities across the country, create more opportunities for local people and boosting local economies as a result.

Combined with Round 1 projects, this additional funding takes the overall total to £16.74m for 70 Community Ownership Fund projects, with £1.6m so far allocated to Wales.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 13 December 2022.

People living in social housing will have access to new government-backed training scheme, helping them to raise issues with their landlord.

Social housing tenants will be better empowered to raise issues with their landlords and help hold them to account, as a result of new guidance and support announced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities today.

A partnership of experts in the sector has received a £500,000 government grant to roll out a new training package open to anyone living in social housing in England. The scheme aims to help residents engage effectively with their landlord to demand a higher quality of service, where needed.

Residents will learn how to take an active role in how their home is managed – through a series of workshops, forums and online resources that will run over the next two and a half years. For example, this could include advice on how to set up a residents panel or how to challenge a landlord if they fail to meet required standards.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove last month called for all landlords to meet their responsibility in providing decent homes for tenants. The warning came as he took action against Rochdale Boroughwide Housing for failing to treat hazardous mould that contributed to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak.

The Social Housing Regulation Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will also mean that tenants’ complaints are listened to and dealt with quickly and fairly, with stronger powers for the Regulator to hold landlords to account.

Minister for Social Housing Baroness Scott said:

Landlords are responsible for giving tenants the decent home they deserve and the government is taking action to ensure tough consequences for any who fall short.

We also want to make sure every resident is heard and has the opportunity to be actively involved in how their home is managed.

This new government-backed scheme will help to do just that – empowering residents to challenge their landlord where needed and contribute to positive change in their homes and communities.

The government-backed training will be provided by two organisations – the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) and the Public Participation, Consultation and Research (PPCR). Both have expertise in empowering residents within the social housing sector.

CCH Chief Executive Officer, Blase Lambert, said:

CCH and PPCR is receiving support from government to enhance our work empowering and inspiring social housing residents in England.

We exist to promote resident empowerment and control and want all residents to understand their rights, be able to raise issues with their landlords and hold them to account and to be able to shape and improve the services they receive and the homes they live in.

Our vision for this programme is for it to be a catalyst for change, complementing other government action outlined in the Social Housing White Paper and helping to drive a process of cultural change in the social housing sector leading to a better balance of power between landlords and residents.

Last month, social housing residents from across the country came together to launch a new 250-strong panel, which will advise the government on its plans to raise social housing standards.

This new training will now form part of the government’s work to address issues raised by the panel, such as the handling of repairs and maintenance, as well as landlord accountability.

Details of the programme and how to participate in training will be provided by CCH before the scheme launches for social residents across England, in Spring 2023.

To make sure tenants know their rights and can hold housing providers to account, the government is also launching a £1 million public information campaign early next year.

The Social Housing Regulation Bill will introduce new powers for the Housing Ombudsman to take action on complaints. It will also provide the regulator with tougher powers to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants and the landlord has failed to act, with landlords footing the bill.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 12 December 2022.

An estimated 70,000 victims of domestic abuse will benefit from specialist support services to help them rebuild their lives in a safe environment.

£257 million will be handed to councils across England to make sure safe accommodation spaces such as refuges and shelters can provide vital support. The support will include counselling, assistance with rehousing, financial advice and play therapy for traumatised children.

The funding, allocated over two years and issued as a flexible grant, will be used by local authorities to plan support services and work closely with local charities and other service providers to best meet the needs of victims who have had to flee their homes.

Housing and Homelessness Minister Felicity Buchan said:

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime, and this funding will help victims and their children across the country who need to escape from danger to recover and rebuild their lives in safe housing.

Whether it’s counselling, advice on how to handle finances or help finding a new home –  councils can use this money to make a real difference on the ground, giving victims the help and support they need.

Domestic abuse is the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls. The 2019-20 crime survey estimated 2.3 million people experienced in the previous year experienced domestic abuse, with women more likely to be impacted.

This funding follows the government’s landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a legal duty on councils to fund support in safe accommodation for all victims and their families. The money will help pay for these vital services.

More than £330 million has already been invested since 2014 to provide support for domestic abuse victims in safe accommodation, with refuge bed spaces increasing by more than 20% in the past 12 years. On top of this, £5.7 million is being invested in the Respite Rooms programme which supports vulnerable rough sleepers impacted by domestic abuse.

This is in addition to the £2 million we provided to increase the capacity of domestic abuse helplines and online services during the pandemic.

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 10 December 2022.

More than 30 pubs, clubs, theatres and other venues at risk of closure have been saved and placed in the hands of local people thanks to £6.67 million of government levelling up funding.

• Funding will help community groups take ownership of local institutions that have fallen into disrepair or are under threat of closure
• Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced second round allocations from £150 million Community Ownership Fund (COF)
• Scheme will help restore Moor Pool Snooker Hall in Birmingham, refurbish changing pavilions in Falkirk and rescue an 180-year old village shop in Llandyrnog

More than 30 pubs, clubs, theatres and other venues at risk of closure have been saved and placed in the hands of local people thanks to £6.67 million of government levelling up funding.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has today announced allocations from the second round of the £150 million Community Ownership Fund.

The funding will help community groups take ownership of local institutions that have fallen into disrepair or are under threat of closure and give them a new lease of life, ensuring they continue to provide vital services, create opportunities and boost local economies

Successful projects include the Margaret Haes riding centre in Bury, which supports people with disabilities, historic pubs in Warrington and Limpley Stoke and grass-roots sports clubs in Falkirk and Devon.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:

“We’re putting beloved pubs, clubs and heritage sites into the hands of local people to ensure these cherished institutions and the vital services they provide are guaranteed for future generations.

“With the government backing announced today, these places will continue to thrive, make a difference to people’s lives and be run by the local community for the local community.”

Combined with Round 1 projects, this additional funding takes the overall total to £16.74m for 70 projects, with £2.0m allocated to Scotland, £1.6m to Wales and £1.3m to Northern Ireland.

Successful projects include:

• The Margaret Haes riding centre in Bury will be saved from closure so it can continue to provide vital services to people with disabilities and their carers.
• Grass-roots sports clubs in Falkirk and Devon will more than £249,000 to transform dilapidated changing pavilions into modern, inclusive, multi-purpose facilities for everyone in the community.
• The Kingswood community centre in Southwark will receive £180,000 in funding to reopen the library and community space for weddings, birthdays and art classes.
• The historic Albert Park in Glasgow’s Southside will also benefit from £100,000 of levelling up cash to restore the clubhouse and pavilion
• The ‘Haverhub’ in Pembrokeshire, a social enterprise nestled in the heart of the historic Quay Street and Riverside Quarter, will take ownership of their building so they can provide a variety of educational courses for local people.
• A village pub in Kent, The Honest Miller, has been saved from closure so it can return and serve food and drinks to locals overlooking the Kent Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• The Aberystwyth and District Hospice provides vital support to people with chronic and life limiting conditions and their carers. The grant will give the local community the funds they need to buy their premisses outright and make the building more accessible for its users.
• On the Isle of Arran, Scotland the doors of the Lochranza Hotel Bar will open again to welcome locals to enjoy their selection of malt whiskies.
• The Zion Community Arts centre in Bristol will retain its place in the community and provide space for local history groups and businesses.
• The “Heart of Newhaven” in Edinburgh will be reinvented into a vibrant space for theatre groups, choirs and local enterprise.
• In Northern Ireland, the Glór Uachtar Tíre community centre will be transformed into a multi-generational bedrock providing a café and office space, Irish language preschool, a youth radio station and creche facilities.

Debra Batchelor, Trustee at the Margaret Haes Riding Centre said:

“Thanks to this funding, the riding centre can secure the property for present and future generations to benefit from the experiences of being with horses – to empower children and adults with learning disabilities, physical and mental health disabilities, and emotional and social challenges, to lead active and fulfilling lives through equestrian activities. This would not have been possible without the award from the Community Ownership Fund . We can now unlock so many exciting opportunities to develop our facilities and experiences, and further benefit our community. Dreams can come true!”

Cllr Steve Roche, Horrabridge Parish Council said:

“Horrabridge’s King George V Memorial Sports Pavilion support’s the village’s 20 football teams, from age six to walking seniors, including four girls teams. This major grant is the key to providing a new pavilion, fit for purpose. The old pavilion has served us well, very basic, but in a bad state of repair and this grant will help us to save this valuable community asset.”