New UK Housing Review Site Is Source Of Historic Housing Data

In 2017 the UK Housing Review will celebrate its 25th edition. The UK Housing Review is the annual publication that charts in detail the changes in the housing market, government housing policy and investment, social housing, help with housing costs and a host of other topics. Since 1999 the published Review has been issued by the CIH and the detailed tables and commentary chapters have been available on the Review’s own website. This has now been taken over by CIH and brought up to date. This means that 120 compendium tables for 2016 are now accessible and can be downloaded, both as pdf documents and Excel files. Read more on the Housing Review website.

Lewis to Continue As Housing Minister after 24 Hours of Confusion

Brandon Lewis is to continue as minister for housing and planning, the CLG have confirmed. The announcement follows 24 hours of confusion after a series of updates on the CLG website showed newly-appointed minister Mark Francois had been given the housing and planning brief. Francois was moved to CLG from the Ministry of Defence in David Cameron's reshuffle and his details appeared on the department's website soon afterwards. At the same time, the Brandon Lewis profile disappeared. The CLG said today the announcement on the website had been made "in error". Read more on 24dash.

Tenants' Private Details Put Online In Data Blunder

Names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, details of illnesses and private family circumstances were put on the website of the South Staffordshire Housing Association. Cancer patients, ex-police officers, pensioners and the disabled were among those to have their details laid bare for all to see. Not only were the details and messages made public, they were also able to be edited and deleted. The computer IP addresses, which can be used to track individuals to their homes or businesses, were also published. Read more on the Express & Star website.

Website Aimed At Solving Young People's Housing Problems

Housing charity Shelter has launched a new website designed to assist people working with young people on their housing and homelessness problems.  Launched as part of the National Homelessness Advice Service, the website also aims to help local authorities and their voluntary sector partners to take a more proactive approach toward preventing young people from becoming homeless.  The site draws together good practice and recent research, with an emphasis on the importance of early intervention. As well as containing expert information and advice, the site also signposts to other useful agencies that provide specialist support for young homeless people.  Take a look at the new website by clicking on the Shelter logo below.

Website Tracking Council Tax Benefit Changes Launched

A think tank has launched a website tracking changes to council tax support in England.  Council Tax Support Update has been launched by the New Policy Institute, which produces evidence-based research on a range of social and economic issues including income, work, housing and poverty.  The data, which covers local authorities in England, provides information on each of the schemes agreed.  According to the site, 86 councils have decided (or are in the final stages of deciding) their CTS schemes for April 2013. They must have their local schemes in place by the end of January. View the website by clicking on the logo below.