Welsh Housing Awards 2011 - Chartered Institute of Housing Policy/Good Practice... · 2011-11-28 · Welsh Housing Awards 2011 | Good Practice Compendium 5 Community Wellbeing Coaches

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Welsh Housing Awards 2011

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Good Practice Compendium

024 7646 0500www.housemark.co.uk

Rhannu yn eich llwyddiantSharing in your success

Rydym yn rhannu arfer da â’n haelodau

Mae ein gwasanaeth Arfer Da yn gysylltiad heb ei ail ag arferion, arweiniad a gwybodaeth ddibynadwy am dai, ac yn gymorth gan bartner sydd wedi hen ennill ei blwyf i’ch tywys chi drwy’r cyfnod cythryblus hwn.

Ffoniwch ein llinell gymorth Arfer Da ar 024 7647 2704 i gael gwybod mwy.

We share good practice with our members

Our Good Practice service provides you with an unrivalled gateway to housing information, guidance and practice you can trust, plus the support of a well-established partner to guide you through these turbulent times.

Call our Good Practice helpline on 024 7647 2704 to find out more.

Welsh Housing Awards 2011 | Good Practice Compendium 3

Welcome to the Welsh Housing Awards Good Practice Compendium 2011.

The aim of this compendium is to ensure that the fantastic innovation and good practice demonstrated in the wide range of nominated projects and partnerships are captured and disseminated, so that the whole housing sector and beyond can learn from and celebrate some of the great work that is being undertaken.

This publication showcases all of the projects that were shortlisted in the ‘organisational’ category of awards but I would also like to commend those individuals who were nominated for their Community Leadership or Outstanding Academic Progress, all of whom demonstrated a level of dedication and commitment that should be regarded as an inspiration to everyone who works in this sector.

The standard of entries was once again exceptionally high and demonstrated the resourcefulness and creativity of our sector. The judging panels had over 100 outstanding applications to consider, each one demonstrating how the housing sector is making a positive difference to individuals and communities across Wales. Choosing a shortlist was therefore an incredibly difficult task. I would like to express special thanks to my fellow judges, Mike Owen, Dave Adamson, Lee Morgan, Jane Jones and Anne Delaney for giving up their time to help make some very hard decisions in picking a shortlist and overall winners. I would positively encourage the resubmission of some of the fledgling projects to the 2012 Welsh Housing Awards when they have become more established.

Housing is not just about “bricks and mortar” it is quite fundamentally about people and what inspirational people we have within our sector, our organisations and our communities. Housing professionals continue to rise to the challenge of delivering excellent services to their customers, involving, empowering and regenerating communities, and providing outstanding leadership through extremely difficult times. Moreover, the housing sector is at the forefront of innovation in driving forward the sustainability agenda, whether that be in terms of addressing the environmental challenges or delivering long-term jobs and training opportunities for the people of Wales.

The Welsh Housing Awards are about celebrating these successes and highlighting the huge range of positive outcomes that housing delivers – we hope you feel inspired by the examples included within this publication and that it serves as a tool for learning and sharing positive practice in your organisations across Wales.

Jane Mudd Chair, CIH Cymru

Foreword by the Chair of CIH Cymru

024 7646 0500www.housemark.co.uk

Rhannu yn eich llwyddiantSharing in your success

Rydym yn rhannu arfer da â’n haelodau

Mae ein gwasanaeth Arfer Da yn gysylltiad heb ei ail ag arferion, arweiniad a gwybodaeth ddibynadwy am dai, ac yn gymorth gan bartner sydd wedi hen ennill ei blwyf i’ch tywys chi drwy’r cyfnod cythryblus hwn.

Ffoniwch ein llinell gymorth Arfer Da ar 024 7647 2704 i gael gwybod mwy.

We share good practice with our members

Our Good Practice service provides you with an unrivalled gateway to housing information, guidance and practice you can trust, plus the support of a well-established partner to guide you through these turbulent times.

Call our Good Practice helpline on 024 7647 2704 to find out more.

Welsh Housing Awards 2011 | Good Practice Compendium4

List of shortlisted projects

Empowering and involving communities page

Community Wellbeing Coaches WLGA in partnership with Newydd Housing Association

5

Working for me Charter Housing 6

Our Business Gofal 6

Participatory Budget Cartrefi Conwy 7

W&M Enterprises Valleys to Coast 8

Most community focussed contractor Wates Living Space - Reshaping Tomorrow Wates Living Space 8

More than just paint and brushes Quicksons, nominated by RCT Homes 9

At the heart of the community Cowlin Construction, nominated by United Welsh 10

Delivering efficiency and value for moneyWelsh Water Debt advice company Valleys to Coast 11

Prevention by Intervention Charter Housing 11

Cardiff Accessible Homes Cardiff Community Housing Association 12

Developing and regenerating communitiesMerthyr Valleys Homes Programme British Gas Community Energy in partnership

with Merthyr Valleys Homes13

Building your own future in Sir Gar Carmarthenshire County Council 14

“Diamond Jubilee” Valleys to Coast 14

Local letting agreement in Tregaron Cymdeithas Tai Cantref 15

Making the best use of stockWoodside & Nightingale Court, Newport - ‘Turning hard to lets into hard to gets’

Newport City Homes 16

Sheltered Housing Options Appraisal RCT Homes 17

Stoneleigh Manor More Options Homelessness Project

Wales and West Housing Association 18

Developing skills and capacity Customer Learning and Involvement Programme – CLIP

Flintshire County Council 18

Bron Afon’s Learning Development Programme

Bron Afon Community Housing 19

ZIGGIES RCT Homes 20

Outstanding leadership by a local authoritySecuring Gifted Houses for our Local Communities

Flintshire County Council 21

Ty Unnos Conwy County Borough Council with Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd

21

Loan Rangers Powys County Council 22Penywaun CESP Area Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council 23


Welsh Housing Awards 2011 | Good Practice Compendium 5Welsh Housing Awards 2011 | Good Practice Compendium 5

Community Wellbeing Coaches(WLGA in partnership with Newydd Housing Association)

The Community Wellbeing Coaches (CWC) tackle the socio economic causes of ill health among some of our most vulnerable communities.

The project aims to demonstrate the impact that the housing sector can have on improving the health and wellbeing of tenants and communities by addressing these causes, and targeting the service towards those who do not traditionally access services.

CWC are recruited from local communities, providing employment opportunities. The CWC work on a 1:1 basis, or in a group setting with clients to set goals, agree action plans and provide individual support where necessary focussing on behaviour change. Some early outcomes for the programme include engagement with in excess of 200 community members, with over 50 completing Personal Health Plans and setting goals, increased take up of services, such as smoking cessation and financial literacy. The programme is being fully evaluated to demonstrate the impact that it has had.

Contact: Maria Uren, Programme Manager for Health Improvement, WLGA,

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 07800 994816

Empowering and Involving Communities

For example a local authority, voluntary sector, private sector or partnership initiative which has:

n provided recognised training and education opportunities to residents;

n developed innovative community development projects;

n involved customers directly in assessing, shaping and improving specific services.


Our Business (Gofal)

The project was set up to work with residents and individuals receiving tenancy support from Taff Housing, Cadwyn, CCHA and United Welsh Housing Association within Cardiff. This includes running surgeries at 5 hostels such as Ty Seren [Young Women’s Homeless Hostel] and 2 Young Men’s Refugee hostels.

The provisions accessed by the 160 referrals included:

n 61 Referred to Genesis

n 36 ILA [Individual learning accounts]

n 31 Basic Skills Courses

n 47 Short Courses

n 39 One year Courses

n 2 University

n 29 Training

n 41 Volunteering

n 45 Employabilityn 19 Paid work

n 5 Disengaged

Working for me (Charter Housing)

The Working for Me project is a truly innovative community project that helps people take control of their lives and shows them and others what some of the most excluded people in society can achieve. With funding from Charter, the WG and the SHARE, it targets tenants who have the most difficulty in getting and maintaining mainstream employment.

The project works on the premise that everyone has a skill and that the best way for some people to earn an income is to turn that skill into self employment or a business so when and how they work is in their control. Confidence and motivation sessions help people think through what they are good at, what is achievable and examine opportunities.

Business planning plays a vital role, ideas are tested vigorously so people only embark on ventures with a likelihood of success. There have been 13 new starts so far.

Contact: Bron Lloyd, Head of Community Regeneration, Charter Housing

Tel: 01633 678546



Participatory Budget (Cartrefi Conwy)

In October 2010 Cartrefi Conwy asked tenants to submit ideas for improving the physical environment of their communities. The response was terrific and following the flood of ideas, a working group of tenants, staff and the Wales Participatory Budgeting Unit was

formed to examine the ideas and shape them into workable projects. Each project could receive up to £2,500 and 21 varied community projects from across Conwy County went forward for the community voting process.

The voting event took place on 15 March and over 100 tenants attended to cast their votes for each of the projects. Cartrefi Conwy staff managed the lively event to ensure that everyone had a chance to participate. Although there was one overall winner, Ffordd Dyffryn School, Sensory Garden project, they were able to support all 21 projects financially and awarded funds totalling over £36,000.

Contact: Andrew Bowden, Chief Executive, Cartrefi Conwy


Tel: 0192 805504

Gofal also run several courses in-house such as Basic Computers, English for Computers, Confidence Building and STEPS [effective thinking]. The project is a client lead initiative that focuses on sustaining motivation, increasing aspirations, exploring opportunities and helping individuals realise their potential.

Quotes form the STEPS course:

“Inspired and motivated me, so I can change my life for the better”

“Totally changed my outlook on life I thank god I’ve been given a second chance”

Contact: Alessa Hill, Employment Case Worker, Gofal


Tel: 029 2045 3840


W&M Enterprises (Valleys to Coast)

W&M Enterprises is a social enterprise that provides employment and training opportunities to people disadvantaged in the labour market. It is a spin-off from the Family Employment Initiative (FEI) supported by Valleys to Coast (V2C), British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Coalfields Trust and Communities First.

The FEI engages people on two social housing estates in Bridgend in local environmental projects, teaching them new skills, building cohesion amongst residents and instilling confidence in their ability to make a difference. The FEI then looks to progress people onto further training and work experience, where W&M is a key provider.

W&M are managed by a community board, providing more training opportunities for local people. The skill levels and confidence of the staff and management board have steadily increased over the last 18 months. They have tendered for other contracts, including environmental projects for a local school, which has taken them beyond the basic V2C grass cutting contract they had been delivering.

Contact: Steve Curry, Community Regeneration Manager

Tel: 01656 762445


Wates Living Space – Reshaping Tomorrow (Wates Living Space)

Living Space is a family owned construction company, proud of their 114 year history. With bases in Cardiff and Wrexham, they work with a range of Welsh Housing Associations providing WHQS, new build, extra care and retrofit

schemes. Their passion, however, lies in the communities where they live and work. Sustainable communities need people in employment and Living Space’s focus on employing locally and engaging with local businesses has proven successful through ‘Building Futures’ and ‘Meet the Buyer’ events in North, Mid and South Wales. Thanks to these programmes, they have seen 60% of long term unemployed

Most community focussed contractor

For example a contractor which has:

n a proven track record in embracing the targeted recruitment and training agenda for example through the Can Do Toolkit ;

n innovative delivery of community benefits;

n demonstrated practical examples of delivering corporate social responsibility objectives to local Welsh communities.


people back into work and a drive to a 100% Welsh supply chain in Mid Wales.

Wates believes in the power of partnerships, and through collaborative working, it has helped to raise the aspirations of people, young and old, in even the most disadvantaged Welsh communities.

Contact: Carla White, Customer Liaison Manager, Wates Living Space,

Tel: 07739 333473


More than just paint and brushes (Quicksons, nominated by RCT Homes)

According to RCT homes, Quicksons consistently show that they care about their customers and communities.

n They do this by recruiting 9 out of 10 of their workforce from the South Wales area.

n They listen to customers, many of whom are vulnerable or elderly. It’s the small things that matter to tenants, things like spending time to explain what they do and how it is really important.

n On many occasions Quicksons have adapted their work programme or schedule to the changing needs of RCT Homes’ tenants (regardless of the impact on themselves). The feedback they get back regularly from customers, illustrates their positive impact:

“The contractors have done an excellent job of work and they were very friendly, helpful and cared about my home and garden”.

A fabulous example of their commitment to RCT Homes’ Give and Gain days is that year-on-year, since 2010 they have donated £6,000 to these days, excluding their expertise!

Contact: Lisa Balfe, Policy Research Officer, RCT Homes

Tel: 01443 494589



At the heart of the community (Cowlin Construction, nominated by United Welsh)

Cowlin Construction Ltd has displayed exemplary work at the United Welsh Housing with Care site Llys Nant Y Mynydd, Nantyglo. The contractor has left a long lasting legacy in the community.

Whilst based in Nantyglo the team from Cowlin Construction showed qualities which go beyond corporate social responsibility protocols. The whole team showed a unique eagerness to engage with the local community, schools, unemployed and community groups. There is hardly anyone who has not benefitted from their proactive approach to community regeneration and willingness to get stuck in.

Led by Mark Stephens, Project Manager, Cowlin Construction delivered tangible benefits to the local community of Nantyglo. Open the time capsule, which they buried with Coed y Garn Primary School in the grounds of Llys Nant y Mynydd, in 50 years and you will witness the moment captured when Cowlin Construction was completely intertwined with the Nantyglo community.

Contact: Louise O’Brien, PR & Communications Advisor, United Welsh

Tel: 029 2085 5659


Delivering efficiency and value for money


n restructured services to make them more efficient;

n found ways of using their resources more effectively;

n worked jointly with partners and customers to make services more efficient;


Prevention by Intervention (Charter Housing)

Charter recognise that a failure on their part to recognise that a tenant is not coping could mean that they lose their home, dramatically altering the course of their life. PBI was developed alongside their System Thinking approach and was instrumental in creating streamlined services that deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives and financial efficiency for Charter. PBI has permanently removed the danger that staff might just follow a process.

PBI now wraps the whole of Charter creating supportive relationships to ensure tenancies are sustained and lifestyles balanced. A suite of proactive approaches exist for prospective

Welsh Water Debt advice company (Valleys to Coast)

Valleys to Coast (V2C) collects water rates from its customers on behalf of Welsh Water. This has identified significant levels of water indebtedness and requires a new approach to its collection services, as more can be done to help those who are experiencing genuine financial hardship. Welsh Water offer a service known as the Customer Assistance Fund, that offers to “write off” existing debts in excess of £150 on the condition that ongoing payments are made in full and on time.

V2C’s Utility Debt Advisor works with those customers identified as eligible to apply to the Customer Assistance Fund. All customers who engage with this service are offered and provided with personalised budgeting advice and financial capability training. The service also identifies other financial issues that require redress. Signposting and referral systems have been put in place with organisations including the CAB, Moneyline Cymru, local Credit Union and utility suppliers.

Contact: Keryl Jones, V2C

Tel: 01239 712036/ 07968 428141



Cardiff Accessible Homes (Cardiff Community Housing Association)

Cardiff Accessible Homes (CAH) is a project (managed by Cardiff Community Housing Association) that provides physically disabled persons a holistic housing service which includes managing a central disabled persons housing list, adapted property database, Occupational Therapist

assessments, housing advice and support. This involves working in partnership with the local authority, several housing associations, agencies and voluntary organisations with a view to finding positive solutions and outcomes for disabled persons regarding their housing issues.

As well as managing disabled re-housing in Cardiff, CAH also manage the referral process for Physical Adaptation Grants (PAG’s). This involves the project employing Occupational Therapists (funded by partner housing associations) and arranging OT visits and assessments in order for clients to be able to have adaptations installed in their properties. Since April 2009 CAH has been able to help over 800 clients remain in their home by providing necessary reports highlighting required adaptations. The service has led to significantly reduced waiting times for clients to have the required adaptations installed which has led to clients being able to remain in their homes longer in a safe and secure environment whilst reducing the risk of falls, slips and hospitalisation.

Contact: Robert Baker, Project Manager, Cardiff Accessible Homes

Tel: 02920 468 408


and new tenants. Before PBI only 57% of new tenancies had no risk of failure in the first 6 months but by July 2011 they hit 94%. Property repossessions have dropped by 50%, rent arrears have reduced, and £400,000 of additional tenant income was secured in 12 months along with other System Thinking company benefits.

Contact: Scott Sanders, Director of Housing, Charter Housing Association

Tel: 01633 678556



Developing and regenerating communities


n developed new financial/investment models;

n improved the physical quality of homes in the community;

n brought empty properties back into use.

Merthyr Valleys Homes Programme (British Gas Community Energy in partnership with Merthyr Valleys Homes)

Merthyr Valleys Homes tenants are benefiting from cheaper energy bills and improved aesthetics of their home after energy efficiency measures were installed as part of a regeneration project.

A £1 million investment from ARBED and £200,000 from the Low Carbon Building Programme funded the project which has meant that properties have had Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal panels installed by British Gas and external wall insulation fitted by British Gas and the Joyner Group. Planned improvement works such as roof line work and the renewal of rain water goods were also carried out as part of the external wall insulation.

The project has not only benefitted tenants but it has also provided multiple work opportunities for local businesses and individuals. Suppliers, installers and trainees who were at the heart of the programme were sourced within a 15 miles radius from the site -a remarkable community achievement

Contact: Ceri Williams, Energy Solutions Manager, British Gas Community Energy

Tel: 07769 546 224



“Diamond Jubilee” – the refurbishment and local letting scheme of Jubilee Crescent(Valleys to Coast)

Jubilee Crescent suffered from multiple housing blights of poor building condition, poor estate layout, worsening crime statistics and a history of problematic allocations.

After a bad spate of arson, refurbishment was undertaken on three blocks in a challenging

area of the estate, which was completed in July 2010. However, the neighbourhood was not a balanced community in terms of age range and economic mix and the area’s long-term sustainability was at risk.

A new Local Lettings Scheme allowed allocations for a specific mix of tenants. Existing tenants were consulted along with the Local Authority, in consideration of their priority-need households.

Building your own future in Sir Gar (Carmarthenshire County Council)

Building Your Own Future in Sir Gar was developed in 2010 to align with Carmarthenshire County Council’s £203 million Carmarthenshire Homes Standard programme, exploiting an opportunity to develop links and training with the local construction industry and training providers.

Developed in partnership by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Property Services division, Communities First, Coleg Sir Gar, and CCTAL, it promotes construction as a career, and encourages the economically inactive to consider further education, training or employment. Run over six-weeks, it is delivered entirely in the community, offering hands-on experience of trades including carpentry, plastering, plumbing and tiling.

It includes a visit to a local construction site and an introduction to college-based building courses. Participants also make a picnic table and bench sets which are donated to the community.

Over 200 people have already benefitted, with over 60 securing either employment or college places – people who previously had little desire or confidence to do so.

Contact: Ray Symes, Senior Operational Officer, Property Services Division

Tel: 01554 784100



Since refurbishment:

n 10% failure of nominations, compared with 74% previously

n Average age at allocation up from 25 to 35n Overall tenancy failure rate down from 77%

to 18%

The flats are fully occupied with a good mix of tenants – people in full-time employment, families and young people in training or education.

Contact: Julie Stewart, Housing Manager, Valleys to Coast Housing

Tel: 01656 762418


Local letting agreement in Tregaron (Cymdeithas Tai Cantref)

Local Lettings Agreements have been used by Cantref before in rural areas where there are close knit communities bound by language, culture and social networks and a lack of affordable housing.


The 3 key areas for eligibility are residency, family and professional & educational. The agreement also allows those that are originally from Tregaron wishing to return to be eligible, supporting those that have moved away for education or employment reasons. Other fundamental connections that hold a community together, key to the agreement, can be having a close member of the family living in the village or children attending a local school and applicants having permanent employment.

It is important to get a balance of sustainable communities and ensure homes are allocated to those with a local connection, strengthening the local community and economy. Due to the success of the local letting agreement in Tregaron, Cantref will continue to develop new homes with consideration to the local community and local cultures.

Contact: Lynne Sacale, Chief Executive, Cymdeithas Tai Cantref

Tel: 01239 712036


Making the best use of stock


n effectively managed their assets, including rationalising their stock or changing tenure types;

n successfully reduced under-occupancy;

n taken steps to identify and tackle tenancy fraud.

Woodside & Nightingale Court, Newport – ‘Turning hard to lets into hard to gets’ (Newport City Homes)

NCH commissioned a project to tackle ‘hard to let’ issues in its largest sheltered scheme, Woodside and Nightingale. Despite winning a design award in the eighties, the scheme had become outdated and was no longer meeting the needs or aspirations of older people.


This was evidenced by a significant number of voids and high refusal rates.

To address this NCH decided to combine WHQS works with a programme to convert bedsits into spacious ‘apartments’. Residents were fully involved in the planning and design process, culminating in a joint approach with design students and staff in creating ‘show homes’ for viewing.

Some comments received from new occupants, include: “love the design” and “so much space, even for storage”.

So, what were termed ‘hard to let’ have now become homes that are ‘hard to get’ and NCH has made the best use of its existing stock to meet the needs and aspirations of older people.

Contact: Joanna Fairley, Communications and Governance Manager, Newport City Homes

Tel: 01633 227644


Sheltered Housing Options Appraisal(RCT Homes)

The sheltered housing options appraisal is about bringing poor quality, out-of-date homes for older people up-to-date. RCT Homes wanted to meet residents’ aspirations and needs not just now but well into the future.

Bryn Ivor, the first completed scheme, was running with over 50% voids and offered poor quality accommodation prior to refurbishment. RCT Homes are proud to have achieved state-of-the-art homes providing a home for life with an active, vibrant community of older people living independently in the heart of their community. The open and airy accommodation provides a great range of activities including a “sensory” garden for residents and the wider community.

The key to the success of the scheme was close collaborative working between RCT Homes, tenants and volunteers. The icing on the cake was obtaining the RNIB “Visibly Better” Platinum Accreditation – the first in the UK on a refurbished scheme.

Contact: Shirley Davies, Homes and Neighbourhoods Director, RCT Homes

Tel: 01443 494403



Stoneleigh Manor More Options Homelessness Project (Wales and West Housing Association)

Stoneleigh Manor ‘More Options Homelessness Project’ in Brecon is a ground-breaking & creative partnership which sees public and third sector organisations working together with private landlords to maximise opportunities for homeless people in Powys.

A partnership was established between Wales & West Housing Association, Powys County Council Homelessness Prevention & Housing Options Team, PCC Supporting People Team and Cefni Lettings. The project at Stoneleigh is an excellent example of the best use of a property which had been empty for over 2 years, which now addresses;

n the shortage of suitable Temporary Accommodation in the area which meets Welsh Government TA standards

n the lack of co-ordinated tenancy supportn the needs of Stoneleigh residents and the

wider communityn PCC’s commitment to meet statutory

obligations for the provision of Temporary Accommodation

n the potential offered by the private sector to meet the need for wider housing options beyond social housing

Contact: Jackie Bloxham, Housing Manager

Tel: 029 2041 4083


Developing skills and capacity


n developed a culture of learning and improvement;

n developed innovative approaches to training and development;

n provided flexible benefits and reward schemes for staff.

Customer Learning and Involvement Programme – CLIP (Flintshire County Council)

Flintshire County Council’s housing department has developed a joined

up approach to community learning and involvement; creating a culture of staff and tenants learning together and supporting each other in gaining knowledge and experience in community matters.


Through the Programme they are:

n Breaking down the barriers and challenging perceptions

n Gaining a better understanding of roles, responsibilities, and the experience of volunteers and staff

n Working together to monitor and improve services

Several projects have been developed and delivered through formal and informal training, community learning opportunities and sharing experiences for both staff and tenants of the Council.

The outcomes focus on gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of what customers’ expectations are when delivering services in their homes and communities, fostering mutual respect, and empowering staff and tenants to work together developing services and within the community.

Contact: Debbie Davies, Customer Involvement Officer, Flintshire County Council

Tel: 07789 945403


Bron Afon’s Learning Development Programme(Bron Afon Community Housing)

Bron Afon Community Housing has embedded a culture of Learning and Development. Bron Afon employees, Bron Afon Board and Members, volunteers and young people are encouraged to embrace learning to develop their skills, knowledge, experience and confidence. Since stock transfer they have developed many new and innovative ways to encourage learning and this has included:

n Leadership Development Programme and management development programme for managers across the organisation

n Apprentice schemes, placements and work experience and training for all ages, which have lead to some permanent employment with Bron Afon.

n Mentoring for students n Bron Afon Membership Development

programme specifically designed to meet the training needs of their membership

n Encouraging professional qualifications n OCN accredited Green Futures Programme

which included 90 staff, tenants, leaseholders and residents took part and debated a wide variety of issues, including growing food and sustainable design.

n Urban design courses for tenants and residents n Young people projects such as down to

earth and hales house ‘move on’ project

Contact: Liz Evans, Head of Community Housing, Bron Afon Community Housing

Tel: 01633 620026



ZIGGIES(RCT Homes)

Ziggies is a project aiming to promote a family friendly approach to reading and supports literacy through the exploration of stories. Sponsored and designed by RCT Homes staff volunteers, Ziggies encourages parents to read with their children and support them to complete a number of exciting activities relating to the themes and messages of a chosen weekly story.

Sessions begin with ‘story time’ where children and their parents sit down together and follow the words as a story teller takes them through the book. Families then break to complete a number of activities relating to the book which includes creative art work such as mask making, puzzles, games, team building activities and many more.

Parents have been further supported by RCT Homes to continue the project themselves with financial support to purchase materials and training on planning future activities. A sustainable project at the heart of their communities.

Contact: Catryn Grundy, Tenant Empowerment Officer, RCT Homes

Tel: 01443 494403


Outstanding leadership by a local authority

For example a local authority which has:

n led local partnerships to deliver housing solutions;

n taken the strategic lead in community regeneration;

n promoted a multi agency approach


Securing Gifted Houses for our Local Communities (Flintshire County Council)

This project represents an innovative approach which has led to three new homes being gifted to Flintshire County Council as part of its affordable housing policy, with a further 26 in the pipeline.

The Housing Strategy Team, with Planning colleagues, have found a flexible way to make the most of existing planning policy; instead of the usual 30% affordable housing provision being required, gifted homes to the Council, to the value of 30% of the development, can be stipulated instead.

Redrow Homes and David Wilson Homes North West have both praised Flintshire for devising the scheme, describing it as the first of its kind in the region to use a Section 106 contribution in this way. The properties will be made

available for rental to applicants registered on the Affordable Homeownership Register.

The Council intends to deliver more affordable housing this way.

Contact: Penny Storr, Housing Strategy Officer, Flintshire County Council

Tel: 01352 703830


Ty Unnos (Conwy County Borough Council with Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd)

Ty Unnos is an innovative housing development in Dolwyddelan funded through the Social Housing Grant programme. Over the last few years Conwy County Borough Council, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd, Dolwyddelan Community Council, Conwy and Denbighshire’s Rural Housing Enabler, Forestry Commission Wales, Snowdonia National Park, Coed Cymru, Elements Europe and the Welsh Government have worked in partnership on this development.

The timber framed technology was created by Coed Cymru, Elements Europe and the Welsh School of Architecture to assist the build of affordable, sustainable housing to meet current housing needs in the village.

The end product; four affordable houses named Tai Glan Gors. They are top quality, eco friendly homes set in a beautiful location, built for the people of Dolwyddelan.

Contact: Sam Parry, Housing Strategy and Performance Manager

Tel: 01492 574224



Loan Rangers(Powys County Council)

Loan Rangers is a unique & highly adaptive interest-free loan scheme – tailored to local needs & individual strategies.

Some of its key features are:

n Easily implemented – adapted from established grant application process

n In-house administration & financial recovery – avoids costly FSA registered organisations

n 50% maximum funding - includes 1st year payment “holiday” to establish rental income

n Annual loan recovery over 5 years – allows accurate forecasting of finance & facilitates planning

n Virtually self-financing – 88% of capital recycled for re-distribution

n Pioneering & successful – Powys setting standards of collaborative working with partner organisations

“The innovative way Powys Council has established this project ensures Empty Homes are brought back into use. This model offers greatest opportunity for success compared with others in the UK.”

Mid Wales Housing Association

“Our partnership with PCC is invaluable in establishing innovative products and has helped green up local households more quickly.”Robert Owen Community Banking Fund

Contact: Ian Fraser, Housing Services Manager, Powys County Council

Tel: 01938 551214



Penywaun CESP Area(Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council)

Due to the costs involved when fitting external wall insulation to non-traditional types of housing it was unaffordable for the private residents in the Penywaun community in Aberdare to take advantage of CESP without other investment. The outstanding leadership and strategic direction by Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC enabled six different funding streams to be levered in to Penywaun and brought together funding from Arbed, Heads of the Valleys, Aberdare Low Carbon Town, CESP, RCT Homes and the Local Authority’s Capital Grant Programme. This was no easy task as these schemes had conflicting priorities and deadlines and there were also legal and procurement issues to overcome in extremely short timescales.

The successes of the project in delivering a ‘whole house, whole community’ approach could not have been achieved without the partners involved including Scottish & Southern Electricity, Effective Energy and SERS Limited, but especially RCT Homes whose commitment to deliver across tenures and trust in the local authority enabled delivery into the private sector.

Scheme successes to date include external wall insulation, free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation, energy efficient boiler replacement as well as generation of local employment and training.

Contact: Keryl Lanfear, Housing Strategy Officer Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC

Tel: 01443 425369


Housing Olympics

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20th – 22nd March 2012

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For further information including exhibition and sponsorship opportunities visit our website at www.cih.org/cymru or email us at [email protected]

Wales’ Premier Housing Conference and Exhibition

Documents

Welsh Housing Awards 2011 - Chartered Institute of Housing Policy/Good Practice... · 2011-11-28 · Welsh Housing Awards 2011 | Good Practice Compendium 5 Community Wellbeing Coaches