Ethos Public Relations Manchester

ALMO’S to look beyond the front door

by Ethos public relations

The new Chair of ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) says the role of ALMO’s going forward lies beyond the front door.

48 year old Noel Chambers who was recently elected as Chair said: “The feedback I receive from tenants is we must now invest in neighbourhoods in the same way we have invested in homes. It’s time to go beyond the front door. The challenge is how to do that in times of public sector austerity”

Noel who has worked in the social housing sector for over twenty years is an Assistant Director at Cheshire West & Chester Council. He says taking over as Chair at this particular time is providing numerous challenges and opportunities.

“The government is making new announcements on a daily basis,” he adds “and the new landscape of the sector is still being formed but we need to ensure that ALMO’s seize any relevant opportunities.

“For example, we need to act smarter in order to face the challenges that will come in the wake of public sector cuts.  If councils are forced to cut services there could be a chance for ALMO’s to take up the slack.   I believe our model is well placed to do this.  It has an excellent track record and there is much goodwill.”

Noel says he is disappointed that the government has no further plans to continue with the Decent Homes Standard and believes that council house tenants in particular will feel aggrieved and cheated that they have missed out.

He is also keen that reform of the HRA is forthcoming.

“We are all holding our breath on this,” said Noel. “It really is a big deal for the sector and will determine the future of social housing for some years to come. Government needs to layout its plans sooner rather than later.

“I hope that despite the abolition of the TSA the core principle of giving tenants a real voice in the management of their housing and associated services must remain. At RBH we put tenants at the heart of everything we do and I am very proud to be leading a committed Board, a hardworking staff and thousands of tenants who genuinely care about where they live.”

Posted at 13^th August 2010

Rochdale hosts really big….. ‘Big Lunch’

by Ethos public relations

They may be officially labelled as some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country but residents living on the Falinge, Freehold and Kirkholt estates in Rochdale also enjoy another distinction – that of having the strongest community spirit.  This community camaraderie can be seen it all its glory when hundreds get together to celebrate The Big Lunch.

This week (w/c 19th July) has been designated national Big Lunch week, a time when local populations gather together to meet their neighbours and get to know who lives next door, across the road or around the corner.   ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) in conjunction with partner agencies is organising Big Lunches around the Rochdale area.

Nicky Morris Priority Areas Manager for RBH said: “Our residents living in these particular areas have really embraced the vision of the day.  Last year The Big Lunch was a great success and this year will be even better with residents travelling between estates to share their events.

“These are not only some of the most deprived wards in the UK but are also some of the most diverse, comprised of people from over 40 nations, speaking over 30 languages.

“We think it’s brilliant they are holding some of the biggest Big Lunches in the North West and their community spirit should be something the rest of us aspire to.”

Three separate events have been organised commencing 19th July at Kirkholt when a massive street party for around 300 people will take place between 2 pm – 5 pm.  On 21st July around 250 people in Falinge will be celebrating between 3pm – 5 pm and finally the Freehold estate will be enjoying its party with 250 people on 24th July between 1pm – 4 pm.

“Each event will be having slightly different entertainment,” said Ruth.  “Steel bands, dance groups, children’s entertainers and of course fabulous food and drink will ensure each Big Lunch is a day to remember. Some groups are having a Barbecue, some are having a buffet and some smaller groups are having individual themes, such as a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party table organised by the Over 50’s club at Kirkholt.  International food tasting will also be encouraged at stalls serving food from all corners of the world.”

The Big Lunch was initiated by The Eden Project who wanted to encourage people to get to know other people in their local community.  Last year almost 1 million people joined in The Big Lunch in streets, lanes, parks and schools across the country and this year the event is set to be even bigger.

Gareth Swarbrick, RBH’s Chief Executive adds: “We are really proud of everyone who will be helping to make The Big Lunch in Rochdale a massive event that people will remember for the rest of the year.”

Posted at 23^rd July 2010

Young tenants sign up to Junior Warden scheme

by Ethos public relations

It is notoriously difficult to engage younger tenants with their landlord but ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has developed a pilot programme which seems to have done just that. The RBH Junior Warden scheme has proved to be such a success that it will now be rolled out across more areas.

Ruth Sillence Communities First Co-ordinator for RBH said: “As many social landlords will appreciate, it is very difficult to find a sustainable method of working with children and young people in the community. However, the RBH Junior Warden scheme seems to have really ‘hit the spot.’

The scheme was launched at the company’s Freehold estate during a week in the Easter holidays when RBH recognised that many children would be bored and looking for something to do.

The idea was for RBH and its partners to provide fun activities which at the same time included intrinsic messages about citizenships and community. The ultimate objective however, was to sign people up to be Junior Wardens and commit to longer term involvement.

Playing and working with the local caretakers, park wardens, fire-fighters and the Council’s youth offending team has clearly paid off. There are now 43 young people on the Junior Warden register with an average of 15 people attending every week.

“We want this group to actively participate in their community,” said Ruth. “As well as promoting citizenship RBH Junior Wardens will also ensure they develop confidence which will help unlock their potential.”

RBH Junior Wardens will organise local events, report back on what they like and dislike about the area, promote their community and they will also have an RBH Junior Warden uniform to make them a visible part of the estate.

The success of this first pilot means RBH will now be rolling out the schemes to other estates in Rochdale in the school summer holiday.

Ruth adds: “If we manage to replicate the success of the pilot scheme we could have over 100 RBH Junior Wardens operating on our larger estates. This will provide us with a unique opportunity to tap into the opinions of our younger residents and let them have a say in the services we provide.”

Posted at 15^th July 2010

Tenancy cheats get a 'red card' in Rochdale

by Ethos public relations

ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has committed to a crack down on tenancy cheats and anyone found guilty will be given a ‘red card’.

The company has received a £30K grant from the Government who in November last year announced measures to recover up to 10,000 council and housing association homes that are fraudulently sublet.

Andrew Toft, Director of Operations for RBH said: “One of our in-house solicitors has been tasked with identifying tenancy cheats in our area. Our stock, like that of most social housing providers, is very much in demand and we are taking this issue very seriously. It’s important that RBH properties go to those most in need."

The Audit Commission has suggested that the number of social homes unlawfully acquired or sublet could range from one in 100 to as many as one in 20 in some inner-city areas, representing around 50,000 homes nationwide.

“We will be developing a set of protocols to identify these people,” explained Andrew.  “By uploading a personal data set to the Audit Commission, it will be able to cross reference those details to see if there is a match elsewhere in the country.  We will then work closely with the relevant housing providers in that area to identify those people unlawfully subletting their properties.”

Tenancy cheats can earn thousands of pounds a year by unlawfully subletting their properties at higher rental rates. If caught they will lose their tenancy, and could lose their right to social housing in future.

“This initiative is still in its early stages,” added Andrew. “However, a key objective in going through this exercise is to develop good practice that can be put into place by our housing management colleagues In the future.

“We are also looking to engage with other social housing providers in the borough to do the same and will offer the services of our 20 strong in-house legal service team to them at cost in order to promote a consistent and cohesive approach to the problem.”

Locally RBH intends to promote the issue of tenancy cheats using the football ‘red card’ analogy. It is hoped the ‘red card’ campaign will encourage people to report anyone they may suspect of sub-letting.

“Ultimately it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that social housing goes to those who need it most,” said Andrew. “Not only is the tenancy cheat making fraudulent claims against RBH but is also taking a property from someone else in the local community and it is theft in every sense of the word.”

Posted at 23^rd June 2010

Emergency Budget 2010

by Ethos public relations

In response to the Emergency Budget, Gareth Swarbrick, Chief Executive of ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing said:

“I would echo the comments made by Howard Farrand President of the CIH in his opening address at Harrogate.  It is very clear there is going to be pressure on housing benefit and reductions in grant funding for affordable housing.  This makes it imperative that we make best use of the affordable housing we have and show real creativity in how we work with tenants, local communities and employees to ensure we continue to deliver in difficult times.”

Posted at 22^nd June 2010

A European Union for Rochdale

by Ethos public relations

ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has become one of the founding members of a trans-national social housing group. RBH will work with Cité Nouvelle (France), Botkyrkabyggen (Sweden), Freie Scholle (Germany), and WonenBreburg (Holland) to identify, share and promote best practice and innovation in the sector across Europe.

Chief Executive Gareth Swarbrick said: “As a forward thinking organisation we have been interested in looking at and learning from European models of social and affordable housing for some time now. We are pleased to have been approached by European colleagues and to have successfully established this group.”

Over the coming months the group will look at issues including governance and the role of tenants and other community members in the decision making process; organisational structures; funding and investment.

“As well as looking in detail at how other organisations work we also see this Group as providing a mechanism for applying for any European grant funding which specifically requests a pan-European criterion,” said Gareth. “The first outcome from this work has been a consortium bid for funding to support pilot schemes on ‘smart metering’ of energy and water consumption.”

He adds that to date one of the most striking features of this group is how much all the housing providers have in common in terms of the issues they are trying to address.

“Our commonality is what strikes me most,” he said. “However, I have already seen new ideas from Europe that could be adopted in the UK.

“All our European partners have carried out some really important and innovative work around energy efficiency, energy consumption and reducing tenants’ energy bills. This is an area that we will be seeking to learn from so that our tenants can derive some real tangible benefits from this project.”

It is anticipated that RBH will host a meeting of the Group in Rochdale in early 2011.

Posted at 17^th June 2010

New Business and Regeneration Unit for RBH

by Ethos public relations

ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is to deliver a fresh approach to regeneration by establishing a dedicated New Business and Regeneration Unit.

This new Unit incorporates Business Development, Priority Areas, Money Matters and the Communities First teams and is headed by Clare Tostevin

She said: “Bringing these business units together will ensure strong relationships are cemented between our physical, social and economic regeneration activity. It will also ensure a direct link between new income generated and supporting our communities.

“Tackling issues around skills work, income and health are strategic priorities for the borough of Rochdale and some of these issues are most acute in our neighbourhoods. The New Business and Regeneration Unit will ensure strong co-ordination of our regeneration activity, from building new homes to supporting residents into work, and ensure that solutions are delivered in a holistic way.”

In a just a few years RBH has had a number of significant achievements including approval of over £1.8m HCA grant for affordable homes, the establishment of charitable subsidiary Brighter Horizons, participation in the government’s mortgage rescue scheme and generating income from a range of in house services.

Posted at 26^th May 2010

Walton heads up Legal Services team

by Ethos public relations

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has promoted Jonathan Walton from his position as Enforcement Manager to the post of Head of Legal and Enforcement Services.

Jonathan has worked with RBH for four years and has been in the housing sector for twelve years.  In his new role he is heading up the company’s legal services team of twenty people.

“My role will be to continue to take the service forward and ensure it is fit for purpose in the future as the sector moves towards increased levels of customer involvement and service development,” he said.

“RBH is quite unique in having its own in-house legal team.  We intend to continue to expand as more social housing providers and local authorities look to buy in our expertise.”

Posted at 19^th May 2010

New home reality gets closer

by Ethos public relations

Residents ear-marked to live in the first new homes in Rochdale for over 20 years have been selecting their new kitchens and bathrooms.

22 new properties are being developed by Brighter Horizons, the charitable subsidiary company of ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and the new development in Croft Street is coming up apace.

Philomena Renshaw, RBH vice Chair and Brighter Horizons Trustee recently visited the site to get an update on work in progress.  “It’s really positive to see how well the development is moving forward. Credit must go to the contractors Richardson Projects, part of the Rok Group who have caught up on the time that was lost during the bad weather throughout January.  Everything is on track for completion in August 2010 and being able to select their interiors is bringing that reality home to tenants.”

The scheme consists of 18 two bedroom bungalows and 4 three bedroom houses with some of the new bungalows re-housing tenants who lived in the former pre-fabricated bungalows that were demolished by RBH two years ago.

RBH and Brighter Horizons have worked very closely with the Council to bring the scheme to fruition.  The £2.1m scheme has received £1.2m grant support from the Homes and Communities Agency’s National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP).

Deborah McLaughlin, Regional Director NW at the HCA, said: “I am pleased to hear that the work at Croft Street is coming along so well and that residents have been closely involved in the design process. Our vision for the North West is to create vibrant and sustainable communities where people choose, and can afford, to live. The provision of these new homes in Rochdale will help us in achieving these goals.”

To view the progress, you can click on the link on the RBH website www.rbhousing.org.uk

Posted at 6^th April 2010

ICF homes secure funding from HCA

by Ethos public relations

Brighter Horizons, the charitable subsidiary of ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), has been awarded funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to develop six new homes using Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) construction methods.

“We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to the HCA for £360,000 to develop more new homes at Dover Street in Rochdale,” said Chief Executive Gareth Swarbrick. “This is the second new build development for our subsidiary company Brighter Horizons which was established just last year and we are delighted to be cracking on with our ambitious new build plans. These properties will improve the local landscape on this derelict former play area.”

RBH established Brighter Horizons to enable it to develop new homes in Rochdale with RBH managing and maintaining the new homes – a model which is at the forefront of ALMO development.

This scheme will comprise six 2-bedroom bungalows which will be developed by local community enterprise company Building Trades Agency using ICF technology.

ICF consists of twin-walled expanded polystyrene panels built up to create the walls of a house. This formwork system is then filled with ready-mixed concrete to create the structure determined by the architect.

Gareth Swarbrick added: “Insulating concrete formwork is a building system that has proved to be a strong, cost-efficient building method which not only meets modern methods of construction standards but is quick and easy to build and warm and efficient to run for the householder.

The scheme will focus on training local labour to use this efficient construction method.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Brighter Horizons Trustee Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee added, “We are all really excited about the scheme on Dover Street. It will meet level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes and these sustainable properties will reduce energy bills for the tenants. Furthermore this will be achieved using a local construction company, and in turn using local labour, helping support jobs and revival in Rochdale”.

Deborah McLaughlin, Regional Director North West of the HCA, said: “Our investment in this scheme addresses the need for new affordable housing in Rochdale. I am particularly pleased that we are able to support this scheme, as it will not only provide affordable homes of high environmental standards but also help create fantastic employment opportunities for the local community.”

Posted at 22^nd March 2010

Green team are go!

by Ethos public relations

Last year ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing teamed up with Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale to pilot a new scheme designed to give young unemployed people in the Rochdale area an opportunity to develop their environmental skills.

22 year old James Pickering from Spotland, Rochdale had been unemployed for over three years before being recruited to the scheme and he says joining Green Team has really boosted his confidence.

?Just getting back into the routine of going to work has been good for me,? he said.? ?At the end of the day I go home, tired but happy because I know I?ve done a good day?s work.? It?s a great feeling.?

This? year long training scheme which has been funded by both organisations and two ?Green Teams? are working on RBH estates and land to make small scale environmental improvement that will make a big difference to local people.

The recruits are aged 18 ? 24 and are receiving training which will result in accredited certification that should ultimately help them find full time employment.?? This includes accredited skills in health and safety, manual handling, plastering, block paving, bricklaying, fencing and landscaping and other specific training will be available at the trainees request.

James adds:? ?It?s good to be doing work that is helping to make areas look better.? I?ve got a young daughter myself and when we go out to nature areas near home I know the work we?re doing on Green Team will benefit people like her and her friends.?

Posted at 25^th February 2010

ALMO takes on Mortgage Rescue

by Ethos public relations

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is set to become the first ALMO in the country to participate in the government?s Mortgage Rescue Scheme. Brighter Horizons the charitable subsidiary of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has successfully applied to take part in the scheme and a seal of approval from Rochdale Council means it can help up to ten households over the next year.

Gareth Swarbrick Chief Executive of RBH said: ?Rochdale has one of the highest numbers of repossessions in the North West and clearly there is a great demand for this type of assistance. Thirty five percent of the scheme costs will be coming from prudential borrowing via the Council and without the support of the Council this scheme would not have been able to go ahead.?

The latest figures from the Financial Services Authority show that the number of mortgage holders behind with their mortgage payments increased by 16% in the third quarter of 2009. An average of 395,000 mortgage holders were in arrears between July and September.

In October, the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) urged its 76 investment partners to increase the Mortgage Rescue Scheme?s capacity and as a result more landlords have applied and been accepted ? Brighter Horizons being one.

Any family eligible will have to demonstrate their financial ability to afford the rent for the rescued property. RBH will be targeting those homeowners who live on their estates and have been accepted through the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.

The Mortgage Rescue Scheme in Greater Manchester is administered by Great Places Housing Group.? Brighter Horizons will step in to own the properties and RBH will manage them.

Deborah McLaughlin, Regional Director North West of the HCA, said: ?It's great news that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing is becoming so actively involved in the Mortgage Rescue Scheme. The economic downturn has left many homeowners in trouble, and repossession is a last-ditch solution that doesn?t benefit homeowners or lenders. Through preventative work such as this in Rochdale, Mortgage Rescue is now starting to offer a valuable alternative and provide help in supporting families stay in their homes.?

Posted at 23^rd February 2010

Young residents stay safe

by Ethos public relations

Social landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has teamed up with Homestart Rochdale Borough and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to support a scheme aimed at reducing accidents in the home among the under-fives.

Mark Fisher, Head of Repairs for RBH said:? ?We are always happy to look at anything that helps ensure our customers remain safe in their properties and we are delighted to support this scheme which protects our younger residents.?

The scheme essentially loans home safety equipment to residents free of charge, and RBH is fitting the equipment free or charge and to the correct standard.? The equipment includes items such as safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, fireguards, window restrictors, cupboard locks, anti slip bath maths and protectors for table corners.

It is believed the Rochdale scheme is the most successful in the North West and possibly the country and to date 43 households have taken up the service.

?Essentially the scheme aims to reduce child accident rates in the home,? said Mark.? ?This local scheme in Rochdale is supported by information and accident prevention advice to ensure that our residents are fully up to speed on the issues.?

Statistics shows that thousands of young children are injured in the home every year and simple precautions like those being implemented by this scheme can prevent them.

If you would like more information about the RBH service please contact Mark Fisher at mark.fisher@rbhousing.org.uk or Donna Arden at donna.homestart@fsmail.net

Information about accident prevention in the home is also available at www.rospa.com/homesafety.

Posted at 10^th February 2010

Carrier bags create play area

by Ethos public relations

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is delighted that Melrose Place Natural Play Area has been named as one of 15 new ?Greener Living Spaces? projects to be funded by Marks & Spencer in partnership with the environmental charity Groundwork.

The M&S funding comes from the 5p the retailer charge for food carrier bags and RBH has matched funded the M&S grant to ensure the project gets the attention it deserves.

Gareth Swarbrick Chief Executive for RBH said:? ?Staff and local residents will be closely involved in creating the space for a new natural play and family leisure area which everyone can be proud of.

?It?s an exciting opportunity that will strongly support the communities? aspirations and also provide an excellent fit with wider neighbourhood objectives already identified by the tenants and residents in Lower Falinge."

Locally, Groundwork already enjoys a close working relationship with RBH and Teresa Jennings, Operations Director for Groundwork in Oldham and Rochdale said she is very pleased to be working with RBH on this project.

?Nationally Groundwork has worked with M&S to create 15 Greener Living Spaces across the UK.? It?s great news that Rochdale is one such project and we look forward to working with RBH staff, local residents and M&S employees to create what we know will be a fabulous play area that the whole community can enjoy.?

Posted at 18^th December 2009

Rochdale's green team ready to go!

by Ethos public relations

ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has teamed up with Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale to pilot a new scheme designed to give young unemployed people in the Rochdale area an opportunity to develop their environmental skills.

Teresa Jennings from Groundwork explains: "The 'Green Team' is a year long training scheme which has been funded by both organisations," she said.

"Groundwork will run two 'Green Teams' who will work on RBH estates and land to make small scale environmental improvements that will make a big difference to local communities."

Candidates aged 18 - 24 have been recruited via the Government's Future Jobs Fund project and at any one time the scheme will see around 16 young people working." The scheme will provide training which will result in accredited certification which should ultimately help the young people find full time employment.

Eugene Wilson, RBH Director of Property Services, is pleased the company has been able to support the project. "Tackling worklessness, particularly in young people is one of our key objectives," he said.

"The 'Green Team' members will have the opportunity to gain real employment skills and experience, whilst at the same time delivering work that will benefit RBH tenants and their local communities. - That is why this project has our full support."

One of the first tasks for the newly recruited 'Green Team' will be clearing rubbish and vegetation from footpaths on the land behind Queens Drive, Kirkholt. "The 'Green Team will also be planting spring and summer flowering bulbs and tidying up run down areas on several other estates.

The trainees will be expected to learn accredited skills in health and safety, manual handling, plastering, block paving, bricklaying, fencing and landscaping and other specific training will able be available at the trainees request.

"We are looking forward to welcoming the 'Green Team' to RBH, adds Eugene Wilson. "We will be monitoring the success of this initiative, which could be rolled out on a wider scale if it proves successful."

Posted at 11^th December 2009

Prison! Me! No way!

by Ethos public relations

Being locked up in a prison cell. Seeing how easily a street confrontation can escalate out of control and being ?arrested? - are all on the curriculum for some Rochdale teenagers as ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) commissions a series of workshops designed to warn them about the serious impact anti social behaviour could have on their future.

?These are not shock tactics,? said Sue Kershaw, Communities First Co-ordinator at RBH. ?The ?real life scenarios? are presented by experts to year 10 pupils in a matter of fact way that spells out quite clearly what life is like in prison and the consequences of joy-riding and other criminal or anti social behaviour.?

RBH has directly commissioned the workshops and will be working with the No Way Trust, five local upper schools and the Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership to deliver the workshops using funding from its Communities First* initiative.

Sue adds: ?These crime prevention workshops aim to reduce offending by showing young people; in a very practical way what the consequences of crime and anti social behaviour can be and therefore prevent young people becoming offenders in the first place. They also focus on the influences on behaviour and how young people can be in control and make positive choices?.

The No Way Trust will show the youngsters the process a young person has to go through when they arrive as a new prisoner and they experience the loss of freedom, dignity and privacy for themselves when they are ?locked? up in a mobile prison cell.

?We are offering schools a bespoke event so that each school can choose workshops that relate to their own local issues and problems.? said Sue. ?It could be alcohol or drugs related ? it could be bullying ? or it could be petty crime. By providing specific workshops on real issues we hope they will have more of an impact.

?We are also funding the provision of the ?Wise-up!? teaching package in each school.? This is produced by the Community Safety Education Foundation and is a resource that the schools can use throughout the year to supplement and build on the learning from the workshop events.

?Schools are regularly approached by a variety of agencies who want to work with pupils in the PSCHE arena ? however time is always as issue.

?Our partnership approach means that other agencies have the chance to come on board with us so that together we can offer a fully co-ordinated project.? And because the events meet learning outcomes in the PSCHE element of the curriculum, schools can ensure that they meet their educational standards.?

Other partners include the Council, Police, Fire Service and Early Break.

Assistant Headteacher of Oulder Hill Community High School Christine MacInnes said:? We have a diversity of students here and the day was tailored specifically for us, perfect supplementing our citizenship work. The organisers have all been brilliant ? within minutes our pupils were captivated by what they saw and heard.?

Principal Eric Jackson of St Annes Academy said: ?The work reinforces key messages we give out to pupils ? that their actions can change the course of their lives and have a huge impact on themselves, their families and their community.?

Posted at 5^th November 2009

Start on site for new social homes in Rochdale

by Ethos public relations

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) tenants have marked the start on site of the first new affordable council homes in the Rochdale borough for over 20 years. In a ceremony attended by Rochdale Council Leader Cllr. Alan Taylor the official groundbreaking was celebrated.

The new homes on Croft Street will provide 18 bungalows and four family houses. The site previously comprised garages and bungalows. The 22 new properties will provide homes for some of the former tenants as well as tenants from a nearby regeneration area and others in housing need.

Previous residents returning to the new development have been involved in helping to design and shape the scheme and attended the official groundbreaking.

The homes will be developed and owned by Brighter Horizons, a charitable subsidiary of RBH. RBH will manage and maintain the properties.

Cllr. Alan Taylor (pictured on left) said: ?I am delighted that building work is underway for these new homes. The council has worked closely with RBH and Brighter Horizons to gear up to deliver this ?2.1 million scheme which has been made possible by grant funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) together with our close partnership working.

?Building affordable homes and creating and supporting jobs are key priorities for the council, this and future RBH schemes will deliver much needed homes and support local employment.?

The properties will be built to Lifetime Homes? standard and be constructed to meet the requirements of at least Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The HCA approved a ?1.2 million grant earlier this year. Deborah McLaughlin (pictured on right), Regional Director for the HCA NW said: ?I'm pleased we have been able to work so closely with Brighter Horizons and support such an important scheme for Rochdale residents. It is exactly through this kind of investment and partnership working that we will deliver such vitally needed new homes for local communities?.

It is anticipated that the new properties will be ready for occupation in August next year and RBH is now working closely with Rochdale Council?s Strategic Housing Services to identify further sites for acquisition and development.

Posted at 21^st October 2009

Rochdale ahead of the game

by Ethos public relations

Professor Ian Cole has accepted the position of Independent Chair of a commission which will examine the various options for the sustainable future of council housing in Rochdale.

The Investment and Involvement Commission is a joint initiative from ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and Rochdale Borough Council set up to examine the future options.

Professor Cole said: ?I am very pleased to have been asked to Chair the Commission which provides an innovative approach to looking at the future of housing services in the borough.

?This independent approach means that we are going to be giving each option a very thorough examination and demonstrates that both the Council and RBH are well ahead of other local authorities and doing some serious thinking about the challenges faced.?

Government plans to dismantle the housing revenue account have prompted RBH and the Council to establish the Commission and they have placed tenants at the heart of the discussions. As well as representatives from the two organisations, five tenants will also sit on the Commission and RBH intends setting up a larger group to shadow the Commission?s work.

Gareth Swarbrick, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing?s Chief Executive said: ?The Commission will be looking at all the potential financial options for the future of council housing in Rochdale.

Equally importantly, it will assess how RBH can further develop its role in regenerating neighbourhoods and how tenants can become further involved in shaping services.?

?We hope that by working with such a high profile and well respected independent housing expert, the recommendations of the Commission will not just inform our local decision-making, but also prove useful to colleagues elsewhere in the country as they look for answers to similar questions.?

The Commission will report in March 2010 and its recommendations will then be considered by RBH and the Council.

Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee, the Council?s Cabinet Member for Housing said: ?This Commission is an innovative approach to a nationwide problem and continues our proud record of tenant involvement.

?The recommendations of the Commssion will ensure we are well informed in order to make the important final decisions on how best to secure our existing housing stock and deliver new homes in the future.?

Posted at 9^th October 2009

ALMO promotes affordable credit

by Ethos public relations

The recently formed Financial Inclusion Team at ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has established a partnership with Moneyline Greater Manchester to offer its 14,000 Households access to alternative affordable credit.

Angela Havens, Financial Inclusion Manager at RBH said:? ?Financial exclusion of social housing tenants is well documented. We want to ensure our tenants have an alternative to doorstep lenders and loan sharks who can charge up to 399% interest in this area.? This obviously has a major impact on the financial, social and personal well-being of anyone who is unfortunate enough to deal with these people.?

Moneyline Greater Manchester is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides accessible loans and financial products to individuals and businesses, who may be having difficulty obtaining these services form mainstream institutions.
It will offer a range RBH tenants loans for a variety of purposes and will only lend what tenants can afford to repay.

?Equally important is that as well as lending money, RBH and Moneyline Greater Manchester will be providing advice and guidance to tenants and actively encouraging them to open bank accounts,? said Angela.

?Our frontline staff will be trained in the services that Moneyline Greater Manchester can provide and what the service can do for our tenants.? As our relationship continues we will be looking to see how we can work with residents further to promote financial inclusion.?

Posted at 6^th October 2009

ALMO joint venture means enhanced security for tenants

by Ethos public relations

Tenants in Rochdale will benefit from state-of-the-art versatile alarm systems thanks to the development of a new joint venture.

ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has joined forces with Safeguard Security Solutions Ltd (SSSL), a local supplier of ?high tech? alarm products. The new joint venture company Securecom Limited will help reduce crime and the fear of crime within the 14,000 households RBH manages in the borough.

Eugene Wilson, Director of Property Services, who championed the project, said: ?The key difference with these new alarms is their versatility. They can be used as a traditional alarm, or we can link them to panic or sensor alarms, bringing greater pace of mind to vulnerable tenants.

?We can fit them to boilers to stop theft and when our properties become empty they can be automatically converted to special ?void? alarms which include infra-red and sound sensors. And there is no cost to tenants."

Securecom Limited plan to fit the new alarms to all RBH properties over a rolling seven year programme.

Several hundred homes have already been fitted with the alarm in a pilot programme and when asked for their comments, RBH tenants gave an overwhelmingly positive response.

Posted at 28^th September 2009