Issue 9 - Summer 08

ThoughtsfromtheChairPOSH’s editor, has me under the cosh! Because of an early May break in Lanzarote (lovely weather but on two days it was cooler than Belfast) I’ve nearly missed the deadline she set me for this edition but here goes…

Every second month I receive a copy of Cartref, the journal of the Welsh Voluntary Housing Movement. A recent article,Financial Exclusion and the Role of Housing Associations, highlighted English based research. It revealed:• 3 million people borrow at

164% APR of whom 70% are social renters;

• 24% of HA tenants have no bank account;

• Almost 75% of HA tenants have no home contents insurance; and

• 9% of respondents admitted having rent arrears during the past year.

The article went on to point out that in Wales there is almost £100 million in unclaimed benefi ts and speculates older people fail to claim £210 million in pension credits and winter fuel allowances. I do not know if there is equivalent information for NI but I think the situation would be similar. However, we do have a strong network of credit unions, community

resource and advice units operating here which work hard to tackle the situation.

Cartref’s article set me thinking ‘is there a role for HA’s in NI to tackle fi nancial exclusion among our tenants?’. I know North and West, my association, has a Floating Support Offi cer who does sterling work for our Foyer residents and other specialist units. But I am not sure to what extent this service can assist the majority of our clients in the general housing area. As I am not keyed into what other associations do, I would welcome feedback.

Maeve will post this on our website (members’ only section: message board) and I look forward to receiving advice on good practice or abuse for being out of touch if that is the case.

Have a good summer and celebrate the excellent results achieved in housing starts last year.

FrankDunneNIFHA Chairperson

ContactdetailsNIFHA38 Hill StreetBelfastBT1 2LBT: 028 9023 0446F: 028 9023 8057E: info@nifha.orgW: www.nifha.org

© NIFHA 2008

Pleasenote: the views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of NIFHA.

NIFHA cares about the environment – POSH is printed in Northern Ireland using paper with at least 50% recycled content / from sustainable managed forests. When you are fi nished with it please ensure POSH is sent for recycling to help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfi ll. Thank you.

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ContentsTheFrontCover:Triangleʼs Developments

PaddyMcIntyreInterview

AwordfromtheCEx

AcrossOurCommunity

CharityMatters

FederationCo-operation

BlowingOurOwnTrumpet

SupportedLiving

EnvironmentWatch

EnergyRatings

FrequentlyAskedQuestionsNIFHAʼS Members

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Please note:If you would like to register your interest in becoming a Committee or Board member for a Housing Association, contact NIFHA for an application pack on 028 9023 0446 Email: info@nifha.org or go online to www.nifha.org and click into NIFHA Governance.

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POSHʼs front cover story Residents and a member of staff at Baronscourt Close, Carryduff are pictured on POSH’s front cover. It is one of three schemes Triangle Housing Association recently completed. The others are in Cookstown (pictured right) and Lisburn.

The properties were refurbished to meet the specifi c needs of those who would live there. The residents, who have learning disabilities, have been given a permanent tenancy and a home for life. The properties are situated within private developments and established communities making them ideal for promoting social inclusion and independent living. All of this work has helped to create a model consistent with the aspirations of the Bamford Review on mental health and learning disability services.

Tenants in each of the schemes receive tailored, person centred, 24 hour support to help them live independently and make a positive contribution to their local community. In one scheme, this service is directly provided by Triangle’s in-house Supported Living team. In the others, it is provided by two of Triangle’s partners - Positive Futures and Autism Initiatives.

Triangle is an important provider of supported housing accommodation for a range of vulnerable people in Northern Ireland. It directly delivers supported living, fl oating support and supported employment services, including running social enterprise fi rms, primarily for people with learning disabilities.

Since introducing ourselves three years ago, we are delighted at the number of Northern Ireland Housing Associations who have chosen us.

OmniLedger are a major supplier of a fully integrated Housing Management System for the social housing sector.

We have 25 years’ experience of designing, developing and implementing systems – on time and at an affordable price. Is this the secret of our success?

Pyramid, our fully integrated Housing Management System, is an affordable, robust and easy to use solution.

If you wish to learn more, please contact our sales team: tel 01707 324201email sales@omniledger.co.ukwww.omniledger.co.uk

“We opted for OmniLedger because they could provide a system that will allow for the projected future growth of the Association as

well as being value for money.”Donal Conway, General Manager of Flax Housing Association Ltd

“We chose Pyramid as this system will more than meet current requirements and will be able to cope as the Association expands.

We have been impressed with both the system and the staff.” Mark Turner, Assistant Director of South Ulster Housing Association Ltd

“We chose Pyramid as it would meet our needs. It also represented value for money and is evident that the system is user friendly.

It would also give us a suitable Management Tool for reporting in the future.”

Evelyn Kilpatrick, Finance Officer of Habinteg

Housing Association (Ulster) Ltd

on time & affordable…

Why not contact us to see how Pyramid can help your association?

OmniLedger’s Success with Pyramidin Northern Ireland

Advertising Promotion

Positive Futures Staff and tenants inspect the building work at Old Rectory Park in Cookstown.

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Paddy McIntyre, Chief Executive, NI Housing Executive

Aninterviewwith…PaddyMcIntyreWhat is the most rewarding aspect of your role as the head of the Housing Executive?The most rewarding aspect of my role is the knowledge that our work has impacted beneficially on hundreds of thousands of individuals and families over the years. This may have been the allocation of a new home, the provision of an adaptation, a new heating system, an improvement grant, the sale of a home to a sitting tenant or the provision of housing advice. I am also very proud of our staff who have delivered outstanding service in difficult circumstances over many years. This has been recognised externally by Charter Mark and Quality Awards. Finally, given the circumstances which led to the creation of the Housing Executive, the extent to which the Housing Executive has a wide degree of political acceptability.

Housing Associations exceeded the Government’s production targets for rented and equity sharing homes in 2007-08. Northern Ireland, however, still has a serious shortage of affordable homes. Given the many calls on public expenditure, how can this shortfall be reduced?The Housing Associations, along with the Department and our own staff, deserve great credit for delivering new starts and completions. Our view is that we need to deliver 2,500 dwellings annually and clearly supply must be increased. There is a commitment to deliver 10,000 units over the next five years. The critical issue is how this will be funded, given the many calls on public expenditure. The Minister announced in her new Housing Agenda statement a number of measures including

new procurement arrangements, reduction in Housing Association Grant and Developer Contributions. Undoubtedly increasing the level of private finance will feature in the future.

How do you envisage the relationship between Housing Associations and the Housing Executive developing over the next five years?I think the relationship with Housing Associations has got much closer in recent years and clearly, given our new role in managing the new build programme last year, this has meant that the relationship will get closer. I think there is much to be learnt by both parties and by the Department as to how this worked and the Housing Futures Group will look at the lessons to be learned. I think we can both do more together in terms of informing the wider public. The recent joint submission to the Semple Review is a good example as are the efforts made to highlight the shortfall in the original budget. Some commentators argue the “safety net” role of social housing should be developed into a “springboard” to actively improve the life chances of residents, for example, in relation to employment. To what extent do you agree with this and, if so, how could it be done?I believe very firmly that the role of social housing should be much wider. We have therefore developed strategies which make the connection between Housing and Health, Community Safety, Community Cohesion and Community Development, to name but a few. We let 250 dwellings to Community Groups around the Province and many of those are used to support adult learning. We have supported many social economy projects by way of land transfers. I think more work needs to be done to build the connection with young people and with those who are involved in the Employment sector. I would, however, be opposed to anything which seemed to penalise tenants.

It is well known you’re an avid fan of Manchester United. What’s been the highlight of your many trips to Old Trafford?A few years ago, and strangely Manchester United lost - Real Madrid beat them 4 – 3 at Old Trafford in the second leg of the European Quarter Final. Ronaldo scored a hat trick and he got a standing ovation from the United fans when he was substituted. It was a magic night and a brilliant game.

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Great news! Housing associations procured 1,595 homes for social renting and 935 for equity sharing in 2007-08!

Surpassing government’s targets in very turbulent market and restrictive budgetary conditions refl ects well on the skill and hard work of our members. Credit is also due to the Housing Executive in its new role of Development Programme Manager and the Department for Social Development (DSD) which secured the necessary additional funds towards the end of the fi nancial year.

The next challenge for the housing association movement is not only to repeat its home-building success but also to start implementing the DSD’s Procurement Strategy for the Social Housing Development Programme.

In line with the latest draft of the strategy, housing associations wanting to continue building are forming four consortia to consolidate the administration of their development activity. This is a major undertaking because each association is an independent voluntary organisation whose Board will be asked to give up some autonomy. They will be agreeing a business plan for the consortium that could involve ‘pooling’ potential development sites and sharing and cost over-runs that arise on particular contracts.

The strategy envisages that the concentration of procurement in a small number of consortia will produce effi ciencies by reducing the number of tendering exercises for house-building. It anticipates this will secure better value for money by giving greater continuity of work to the successful bidders.

The DSD’s proposals fl ow from the Public Procurement Strategy adopted by the NI Executive in 2002. It was infl uenced by a number of earlier reports criticising results the UK public sector had obtained from “traditional

competitive procurement”. Michael Latham and John Egan’s reports advocated a different approach. They encouraged combining an initial stage of competition with subsequent partnering arrangements.

The Northern Ireland Procurement Strategy aims are:• to achieve best value for public money;• to comply with EU regulations (to ensure fair

competition); and• to integrate with government’s other priorities

(e.g. environmental and social policies)

The overall strategy demands production of a more specifi c procurement strategy for each “spending line” in the Northern Ireland budget. The DSD therefore had to produce a procurement strategy for housing association development.

The housing association movement will endeavour to make a success of the procurement strategy without disrupting delivery of badly-needed homes.

For further information contact NIFHA’s Chief Executive, Chris Williamson. T: 028 9023 0446 E: cwilliamson@nifha.org

Chris Williamson,NIFHA Chief Executive

AwordfromtheCEx...

“Procurement”

Members at NIFHA’s seminar on procurement, April 08

As you approach from the Westlink, Arasain an Lonnain, is seen as a gateway to west Belfast. It is also the site of a significant housing development for the Divis Street area by FOLD. Over £1.5m was invested in this general needs housing scheme on the former site of the Morning Star Hostel and ‘Wee Bank’.

It provides seventeen dwellings in a mixture of apartments and houses which included the challenging redesign of the interior of the Bank whilst retaining its original façade. To enhance the development a piece of artwork was commissioned in consultation with local community groups and politicians. The artwork was funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Belfast Regeneration Office, Belfast City Council and FOLD. The artist, Alan Potter from Scotland, consulted closely with the community to determine the main historic links for this area of Divis Street. From this he created four circular mosaic panels (pictured right) which depict the local history of the area.

John McLean, FOLD’s Chief Executive, commented ‘We were very pleased with the housing project, bearing in mind the challenges around maintaining the Wee Bank, a very important landmark for the local community. This is FOLD’s third housing scheme on Divis Street and has been delivered in partnership with the Housing Executive’s design and planning team’.

£0.96m for Tennent StreetBuilt on the former site of the Crumlin Road Methodist Church, the Tennent Street / Geoffrey Street scheme was opened by Wesley Housing Association.

Land from the NI Housing Executive and Filor Housing Association was also used to build five bungalows and four flats specifically for older people. All of the homes have been built to the Lifetime Homes standard and Secured by Design specification. BIH Housing Association acted as Wesley’s Developing Agent on this project.

Wesley’s Chief Executive, Lawrence McAdams, was delighted with his organisation’s latest scheme saying: “This development provides high quality accommodation for persons in housing need and contributes to the on-going regeneration of this area.”

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Wee Bank’s transformation.

Across our Community

Artistic adornment.

The new additions to Tennent St and Geoffrey Street.

Regeneration

Wee Bank

Oaklee AidTo help community relations in the Westrock/Whiterock area of West Belfast Oaklee Housing Association has been supporting the Westrock Community Peer Education programme for the past year.

This valuable work has been undertaken in partnership with the NI Association for Mental Health, the PSNI, Daisyhill Court staff and tenants, local politicians, local community representatives and residents group. The Peer Education and Mentoring Programme is being provided by Opportunity Youth.

Oaklee recently presented them with a cheque for £3,000 at Daisyhill Court. This is a sheltered housing scheme provided in partnership between Oaklee Housing Association and Beacon Support Services (part of the NI Association for Mental Health). Ian Elliott, Oaklee’s Chief Executive said: “The Association is delighted to be involved in this successful community programme. This is all about a community coming together, and I want to thank all our partners in bringing this to fruition.

We are very proud of the partnership here, and I wish everyone well for the continued success of the programme.”

Meanwhile, Al McCombe of the Whiterock Residents Association and the Westrock Parent/Youth Association said “This money means a great deal to the area’s young people. As a result of the funding received from Oaklee Housing Association and NI Association for Mental Health, provision has been made for over 100 young people in the area to be involved in the Peer Education programme.”

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Across our Community

CHINESE ‘SILVER SURFERS’ A group of older Chinese people living in BIH’s Hong Ling Gardens, Belfast can now keep in touch with relatives in the Far East and maintain links with their culture thanks to a partnership between BIH and Everybody Online.

Hong Ling Gardens’ residents will receive training on how to use the system from a Hakka (Chinese dialect) speaker who will explain how to use the special Cantonese writing tablets, software and Yahoo Hong Kong.

This initiative will give these silver surfers greater freedom and independence, as well as the opportunity to communicate with family members in China and other parts of the UK.

Jean Fulton, Chief Executive of BIH said: “Living in BIH sheltered housing is all about promoting independence, preventing social isolation and improving the health and wellbeing of tenants.

Learning to use computers in this way will open up new opportunities and interests for our residents - as well as helping to keep their minds active and alert.”

Oaklee’s Chief Executive, Ian Elliot presenting the cheque to representatives of the Westrock Community Peer Education at Daisyhill Court.

Pictured left to right are Tamyin Yau, a resident at Hong Ling Gardens; Anna Lo, MLA, who officially launched the project; Louise Roberts, Supported Housing Manager, BIH Housing Association; and Maggie Gordon, Project Co-ordinator at Citizens Online.

Have your say!NIFHA invites you to participate in the public consultation on its members’ Human Resources (HR) - Recruitment & Selection and Care and Support policies. The consultation period will end on 29 August 2008.Contact NIFHA’s Equality Team T: 028 9023 0446 or E: equality@nifha.org if you would like to receive the consultation material.

Good Relations

8 posh- Summer 08

Not Holding Back

Youth in Motion is a cultural music programme co-ordinated by ‘Beyond Skin’. It brings together young people in Northern Ireland from different community backgrounds to create original music.

The fi rst Youth in Motion project began in May 2007 at Ossia Music & Shabby Road Studios in East Belfast. This pilot project was funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (NIHACT). Over the next eight months 14 young people, helped by professional musicians from Iran, India, Poland, Northern Ireland & Zimbabwe, produced a CD: Don’t Hold Us Back. The success of the project resulted in more regional Youth in Motion projects and other opportunities for the young people involved.

Ray Cashell, who is on NIHACT’s committee, attended the CD’s launch and was delighted for those involved saying: “This project shows how a small amount of fi nancial support can be used to great effect, where there is energy and enthusiasm for something positive. Congratulations to the young musicians and their supporters in achieving this.”

Charity Matters

Help for SimonTriangle Housing Association was selected by Barclays at the recent National Housing Federation conference to receive a donation of £1,000 to give to a charity of their choice. Triangle in turn nominated the Simon Community to receive the donation.

Alan Crilly, Triangle HA’s Director of Finance, said “We have worked with the Simon Community in Coleraine for more than 20 years. The Direct Access Hostel and move-on housing is a central part of the community and this donation by Barclays will ultimately help reduce homelessness throughout Northern Ireland.”

“Barclays are delighted to be able to offer this donation.” commented Joanna McArdle, Corporate Manager at Barclays. “The work the Simon Community do is vital to the local area and we feel this money will make a big difference.”

Donna Moore (Simon Community) receiving the cheque from Joanna McArdle (Barclays Bank plc) and Alan Crilly (Triangle Housing Association).

Handy HelpNIHACT awarded £2,500 to HandyVan from Help the Aged to purchase home security products, including: smoke alarms; mortice bolts; mortice locks; door chains; window locks and door viewers. The money also contributed to SeniorLinks an immediate telephone help response service so someone is at the end of a phone line 24/7. Someone who benefi ted from this was Mrs Coyle. She explained that the HandyVan man did an excellent job. “He was able to put my mind at rest that I had done all I could to keep my home as safe as possible. It is such an excellent service for senior citizens.” Whilst Mr Cadwel was delighted with his two new smoke alarms being fi tted and how everything was so carefully explained to him and his wife.

Peter Lavrijsen the HandyVan Fitter, making this older person feel safer.

Ray Cashell (NIHACT) back left, jammin’ with Beyond Skin

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The Bigger PictureAs the representative body for housing associations in Northern Ireland, NIFHA’s focus is on this region. However, we recognise the benefits of working in partnership with others. By sharing experiences, knowledge and good practice with our equivalent organisations in Great Britain (GB) the movement in Northern Ireland has benefited greatly. There are important ongoing informal exchanges but bi-annually the UK Housing Federations come together to discuss pertinent topics.

NIFHA hosted the most recent meeting of the ‘Four Federations’. Colleagues from England, Scotland and Wales gathered on 15 and 16 May at the Stormont Hotel for what was a very productive series of events. Minister Ritchie accepted an invitation to speak to the group on the Thursday evening giving her perspective on the housing agenda for Northern Ireland. She welcomed this opportunity to exchange ideas and experience with key players in social housing.

The following morning work started with a breakfast meeting to which all NIFHA Council members were invited. This session capitalised on the opportunity for our members to discuss procurement with practitioners from each of the other countries who are at different stages of the process. The GB Federations’ Chief Executives and Chairpersons shared their experience and answered a range of questions on this important issue for our members.

The formal session proved very beneficial too. Those attending discussed a report on significant European issues. They considered the impact of the “credit crunch” and agreed to make a joint response about the level of VAT on energy efficiency measures. This Four Federations meeting provided those who were able to attend with a useful opportunity to learn from the experience of others. Together they were able to develop practical solutions and identify shared goals from which to work collectively.

NIFHA’s Chair, Frank Dunne (centre) with Nick Bennett and Doiran Jones of Community Housing Cymru.

Members of the Four Federations meeting the Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, MLA.

Nanette Reid and Lorna Paterson of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations with Ray Cashell (NIFHA) and David Orr of the National Housing Federation.

For further information on the Four Federations’ contact Chris Williamson. T: 028 9023 0446 E: cwilliamson@nifha.org

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Exceeding the TargetDespite a myriad of constraints experienced in developing housing our members achieved 1,595 starts of new social rented homes in Northern Ireland in 2007-08.

“This last financial year saw a huge number of challenges for housing associations, not least of all the uncertainty about the amount of funding from the government.” Chris Williamson, NIFHA’s Chief Executive, commented. “To not only meet but exceed the Minister’s target in light of this is a superb result.”

NIFHA’s members also completed 1,410 units whilst 935 were procured for equity sharing through Co-ownership Housing®.

Donacloney’s SwansongThe Minister for Social Development, Margaret Richie, recently opened Donacloney’s last scheme. The bungalows (two 3-bed and two 2-bed) cost nearly £400,000 and have been built to Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards. Built on a brownfield site, the bungalows’ south side have floor to ceiling windows taking full advantage of the views of the River Lagan and rolling hills. Their pitched roofs have expansive eaves which prevent too much sun getting in and give an added sense of security with a traditional homeliness.

A boost for GosfordThe Board of Management for Donacloney Housing Association Ltd recently completed the signing of the Transfer of Engagements to Gosford Housing Association Ltd. Donacloney’s 48 units will increase Gosford’s property portfolio to more than 200 units. Brian Corbett and George Savage from Donacloney’s Board will transfer to Gosford’s. Both Associations anticipate the full transfer of operations to be in effect by Summer 2008.

Catering to Improve Residents’ Health North and West HA provides meals to over 500 people across more that 20 supported housing/care schemes - almost 2,000 meals are cooked every day. Staff and residents work together in planning menus to ensure a balanced diet and healthy eating.

Six schemes received the Eat Safe Award in the last year demonstrating how North and West strives for food hygiene and food safety management standards beyond those required by law.

Margaret Ritchie, Minister for Social Development, with Chris Williamson, NIFHA, Ray Cashell, SHAC and Frank Dunne, North and West HA celebrating the housing association movement exceeding the target.

Blowing our own trumpet

Front Row l-r: William Parr (Gosford HA), Thelma Armstrong and Erskine Holmes (Donacloney HA).Back row l-r: Michael K. Hermin, Gordon Frazer, Lord Kilclooney (Gosford HA) and David Blair (Blair & Hanna Solicitors).

North and West’s staff are delighted to receive their Eat Safe Award from Derry City Mayor, Drew Thompson.The large windows allow full advantage of the view

and sun

Support for Dementia

Supporting Independence

Developed in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and the former Craigavon & Banbridge Health & Social Services Trust, FOLD’s latest supported housing development for older people with dementia was opened by Lady Sylvia Hermin.

There are two elements to this £1.63m scheme in Banbridge: Spelga Mews and Spelga Avenue.

Spelga Mews is a supported housing scheme for those diagnosed with dementia. There are twelve units of ensuite accommodation designed to help residents maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Meanwhile, Spelga Avenue has twelve bungalows for older people with complex needs or dementia who can live with a greater degree of independence than those living in Spelga Mews.

FOLD’s Chair, William Cameron, commented ‘Spelga Mews and Avenue is an excellent example of how the not-for-profit sector, the Health Trusts and the NIHE can work together in partnership and produce a state of the art facility. More supported housing such as we see at Spelga is required if we are to meet the need for appropriate accommodation for people suffering from dementia and similar illnesses.’

posh- Summer 08 11PartneringforSupport

Castle Lane Court was developed by Trinity Housing with its support partners, Praxis Care, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and the Southern Health and Social Services Board. It provides supported living accommodation for people with learning disabilities.

The scheme’s design took into account evidence of good practice from international research on ongoing needs and expectations for people with a learning disability. Castle Lane Court is planned around three different phases of living from less to greater dependency. Located in Lurgan, Co Armagh, the scheme cost over £1.27m to develop and was opened by Sir Nigel Hamilton, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Trinity Housing’s Chief Executive, Arthur Canning, said:

“Central to the scheme’s ethos is supporting its residents to be as independent as possible and helping them making real choices in their own lives. Trinity Housing and our partners are delighted with Castle Lane Court and know the residents are too.”

Sir Nigel invites one of the residents to come forward and help him open the scheme

Doris Armstrong and Lady Sylvia Hermin cutting the ‘official opening’ cake.

12 posh- Summer 08

Clanmil Housing tenants are among the first in Northern Ireland to join NIE Energy’s trial of an online system which will tell them exactly how much electricity is being used in their home at any time.

NIE Energy’s ‘Smart’ electricity billing system aims to help tenants save energy and money. Tenants will know how much electricity they are using at any time, and precisely how much this is costing them. This might come in particularly handy to help parents show their children how much electricity they are using, and how much it is costing their parents! It also makes it very easy to spot energy ‘greedy’ appliances.

Peter Kane from Clanmil said they were delighted to be working in partnership with NIE Energy to help tenants manage and monitor home energy usage. “I believe this will help our

tenants make informed decisions on how they can use electricity more efficiently and at the same time, help them to reduce the carbon footprint of their home.”

EnvironmentWatch…

SMART Energy

Peter Kane, Clanmil Housing with Chris Bell of NIE Energy

Enjoying natural gas

A breath of fresh airThe availability of an energy source which is good for their tenants and helps the environment is important to housing associations. They are faced with the twin challenge of helping to alleviate fuel poverty and ensuring their work supports carbon reduction targets. Consequently, some associations have been looking at natural gas, which costs less and produces up to 30 per cent less carbon emissions than oil, for their properties.

firmus energy has worked closely with Clanmil, Oaklee, FOLD and

Habinteg housing associations to bring the benefits of natural gas to their tenants. They have been involved in projects in Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady, Derry, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry.

Until the arrival of firmus energy, natural gas was only available in the Greater Belfast area. Since firmus energy rolled out their network to ten additional towns almost 900 social housing properties have been converted to natural gas in two years. This has provided a saving of 783 tonnes of carbon a year or the equivalent of 261 cars being taken off the road.

Neil Holland, sales and marketing manager for firmus

energy commented “We have led the way on price and are delighted with how this has benefited many housing association tenants.” In 2006 firmus energy announced a unique offer to cap their prices and have extended this offer until January 2009.

For further information see firmus energy’s advertisement

on the back cover

posh- Summer 08 13EnergyRatings…

The introduction this year of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 will impact greatly on the housing association movement.

Dwellings which are to be sold after 30 June 2008 will require the presentation of a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to the prospective buyer. These certificates will be provided through the services of an accredited energy assessor and rating scales will be similar to the current domestic energy rating standards for domestic appliances.

From the 30 September 2008, EPCs will be a legal requirement for all newly constructed buildings and for commercial buildings marketed for sale. They will also be obligatory for commercial premises and residents being offered for rent from 31 December 2008. As a result they will be compulsory whenever a building is constructed, sold or rented out. In addition, from the end of this year, Display Energy Certificates will be required in all public sector buildings with a floor area over 1,000m2.

The certificate is valid for ten years and can be used many times during this period. A new certificate is not required every time there is a sale or new

tenancy within the ten year cycle.

The introduction of the Energy Performance Certificates represents an important step towards combating climate change. However, as a legal obligation they represent a significant administrative and financial challenge for housing associations.

Collectively, housing associations own nearly 25 per cent of all social housing in Northern Ireland. With certificates expected to cost between £100 and £150 each, providing EPCs for every housing association unit may be at least £2.8 million. This does not take account of the future assessment of commercial buildings.

Associations will need to put efficient administrative procedures in place so that all relevant parties have access to the applicable information and assessments are carried out in a timely manner. In line with ‘efficiency savings’ the overall process needs to be managed so that it is as cost effective as possible.

NIFHA is working closely with the Department of Finance and

Personnel, which is leading the implementation of this directive. We want to ensure our members are fully informed about Energy Performance Certificates and help with a smooth implementation.

Going beyond the kitchen

For further details on the impact of Energy Performance Certificates, please contact NIFHA’s Housing Policy and Research Manager, Donall Henderson. T: 028 9023 0446 E: dhenderson@nifha.org.

Alternatively, go online to Energy Performance Certificate NI’s website: www.epcni.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does the Development Process Seem to Take So Long?

Registered housing associations use a combination of public grant and private loans to pay for the homes they provide. Since taxpayers’ money is involved, the final product and the process by which the accommodation is obtained must satisfy comprehensive standards set by the Department for Social Development (DSD). In addition, each association’s Board of Management needs to be convinced proposed developments will meet tenants’ expectations over the long term while generating enough rent to repay the borrowing and cover the cost of management and all maintenance and improvement work.

The development procedure followed by a housing association depends mainly on two inter-connected factors: • from whom the association is buying the land;

and • the procurement method it intends to use.

Most developments are initiated on sites that housing associations have found and bought from private vendors. About a third of new schemes, however, are built on land sold by the Housing Executive or another public sector organisation. The latter are usually less risky for the association but they are not necessarily any quicker than schemes involving private transactions.

The DSD permits associations to procure housing in a number of ways, each of which involves different procedures and requirements.

Acquisition and Works: an association buys a site, obtains planning consent and engages a contractor to build the houses or flats;

Design and Build: when a developer who owns a suitable site arranges for the accommodation to be designed, constructed and sold to the association as a complete ‘package’;

Off the Shelf: newly-completed accommodation designed and built by the private sector;

Existing Satisfactory Purchases: in certain circumstances an association may be permitted to buy second-hand properties.

No matter who sells the land or which procurement option applies before any grant is approved every development by a registered housing association must satisfy the following criteria:• the Housing Executive has confirmed, in writing,

the accommodation is required to relieve local housing stress;

• the title of the land is satisfactory;• an independent, qualified valuer has confirmed

that the purchase price is reasonable;• the community has been consulted (if it is

applicable);• outline planning consent has been obtained;

and• the development is satisfactory in terms of the

DSD’s design standards and value for money assessment.

When the project nears completion, the final instalment of grant will be withheld and any grant already paid will be recouped unless:• the procurement procedure complied with the

DSD’s requirements; and• the development has detailed planning consent

and Building Control approval.

Generally, Off the Shelf and Existing Satisfactory Purchases produce finished homes more quickly than Design and Build or Acquisition and Works. But other factors also need to be considered.

While exercising good governance and safeguarding public resources, housing associations will do their best to produce decent affordable homes as expeditiously as possible.

posh- Summer 08 15

NIFHA’s Housing Association MembersHousing Association Contact No Email Address Website

Abbeyfield UK (NI) 028 9036 5081 admin@abbeyfieldni.org www.abbeyfieldni.org

Abode 028 9336 0973 mail@abodehousing.org n/a

Ark Housing 028 9075 2310 info@arkhousing.co.uk www.arkhousing.co.uk

Ballynafeigh 028 9049 1569 paul@ballynafeighha.co.uk n/a

BIH 028 9032 0485 office@bih.org.uk www.bih.org.uk

Broadway 028 9074 2984 enquiries@broadwayhousing.org.uk n/a

Clanmil Housing 028 9087 6000 housing@clanmil.org.uk www.clanmil.org

Connswater Homes 028 9065 6155 housing@connswater.org.uk www.connswater.org.uk

Covenanter 028 9073 9868 CRAL1@btconnect.com n/a

Co-Ownership Housing 028 9032 7276 mail@co-ownership.org www.co-ownership.org

Craigowen 028 9076 8029 office@craigowenha.org.uk www.glencraig.org.uk

Dungannon & District 028 8772 2121 info@ddha.net www.ddha.net

Filor 028 9035 1131 filorhousing@btconnect.com n/a

Flax 028 9059 2110 admin@flaxhousing.com www.flaxhousing.com

FOLD 028 9042 8314 n/a www.foldgroup.co.uk

Gosford 028 3751 8522 projects@gosfordhousing.co.uk www.gosfordhousing.co.uk

Grove 028 9077 3330 info@groveha.org.uk www.groveha.org.uk

Habinteg (Ulster) 028 9042 7211 info@habinteg-ulster.co.uk www.habinteg-ulster.co.uk

Hearth 028 9053 0121 info@hearth-housing.org.uk www.hearth-housing.org.uk

Newington 028 9074 4055 admin@newingtonha.co.uk n/a

North & West 028 7126 3819 info@nwh-group.com www.northandwest.org

Oaklee 028 9044 1300 admin@oaklee.org.uk www.oaklee.org.uk

Open Door 028 9024 3785 info@opendoor.org.uk n/a

Presbyterian 028 9050 7755 info@pha-ni.org.uk www.pha-ni.org.uk

Rural 028 8224 6118 info@ruralhousing.co.uk www.ruralhousing.co.uk

SHAC 028 9024 6811 enquiries@shac.org.uk www.shac.org.uk

South Ulster 028 3833 9795 info@southulsterhousing.com www.southulsterhousing.com

St Matthew’s 028 9045 1070 smha@btclick.com n/a

Triangle 028 2766 6880 info@trianglehousing.org.uk www.trianglehousing.org.uk

Trinity Housing 028 9030 8140 info@trinityha.org www.trinityha.org

Ulidia 028 9038 2288 info@ulidiahousing.org www.ulidiahousing.org

Wesley 028 9336 3558 info@wha-ni.org www.wha-ni.org

Woodvale & Shankill 028 9074 1618 woodvaleandshank@btconnect.com n/a

Non-registered*

Bangor Provident Trust 028 9024 6602 reception@ralborough.co.uk n/a

Glenall Housing Co-operative 028 9031 1156 n/a n/a

Habitat for Humanity NI 028 9024 3686 belfast@habitatni.co.uk www.habitatni.co.uk

Intercomm Enterprises 028 9074 8355 info@intercommbelfast.com www.intercommireland.org

The Abbeyfield Belfast Society 028 9038 1332 afieldbelfast@tiscali.co.uk n/a

Threshold 028 9087 1313 info@thresholdservices.com www.thresholdservices.com

Ulster Provident 028 9031 1156 n/a n/a

*These are members who provide housing but are not registered housing associations with DSD and therefore do not receive DSD funding

For full details of the accommodation and services offered by NIFHA’s members, please log onto www.nifha.org and search the Housing Association Database

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6186W FIRMUS PRESS A4-Thermostat 12/5/08 12:46 Page 1