The Wellbeing Value of Tackling Homelessness

Housing associations engage in a range of work beyond the provision of a home. Using the Wellbeing Valuation Approach, HACT and Simetrica developed the Social Value Bank, the largest and most methodologically consistent bank of values housing providers can use to evidence the social value of their work in areas like employment, financial inclusion and health. The Social Value Bank has become an industry standard for understanding the impact and value of community investment activities. Through consistent application of the Wellbeing Valuation Approach, it is possible to establish and place a value on the wellbeing impact of almost any aspect of housing providers' work, if suitable datasets can be identified or collected. The outcomes covered by the Social Value Bank are focused on those that are experienced by people living in secure housing, as the datasets underlying the analyses – the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society, primarily – are collected exclusively from those in households. Read more on the HACT website.

Residents Encouraged To Join Credit Union

Thames Valley Housing (TVH) residents in Hounslow and Richmond are set to benefit thanks to a unique agreement between the Association and a local Credit Union.  TVH has donated £3, 700 to Thamesbank Credit Union (TBCU) from its Community Investment Fund.    The money will be used to target TVH residents in the Boroughs to promote financial stability, encourage saving and help them if they are in debt.  Hilary Ellwood, Volunteer Development Worker at TBCU,  said, “Thanks to TVH this donation will help us reach out to people in Hounslow and Richmond,  who may not be able to get bank accounts or may be struggling with debt and illegal loans.  People in deprived areas are the most vulnerable to these sorts of financial problems. We can help these people manage their money effectively and provide low cost loans which ensure they still have the day to day income.  These areas have been particularly identified in Hounslow as areas with social housing, however we have no specific funding to target them.”   Read more on the TVH website.

Borough in Promise to Keep Homes

A London borough has pledged not to sell off any of its council homes as part of a new community investment programme. Camden Council will also offer ‘reassurances’ on security of tenure and rents for its tenants. Despite suffering some of the largest cuts in London to capital funding from central Government Camden has created its own ‘plan B’ to find vital funds to invest in schools, community facilities and council homes. This is called the community investment programme (CIP). Through the CIP Camden aims to deliver:
*One of the capital’s largest social housing programmes in a generation with over 850 new council and shared ownership family homes built in Camden.
*Over 1,200 new private homes built.
*£119m invested in repairs to over 10, 000 existing council flats.
*Plans to spend £117m on improving 57 of the borough’s schools and children’s centres, and
*Other community facilities receiving investment including plans to rebuild or refurbish community centres and securing the long term future of parks and historic buildings.
Read more on the Camden Council website.