Tuesday, 30 June 2009

NEWS FROM CLG

New Reports from CLG on Community Empowerment include:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localdecisionlessons

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localdecisionreview

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING: NEW PROFESSORS IN HOUSING

Dr Isobel Anderson and Dr Douglas Robertson from the Housing Policy and Practice Unit at the University of Stirling have become the University's first professors in Housing.

Professor Anderson's research has focused on homelessness policies throughout Europe, whilst Professor Robertson's work has focused on housing renewal, and more recently class identity and housing neighbourhoods.

ACADEMIC ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT OF CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING

Paddy Gray, from the University of Ulster has been elected Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Housing at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Harrogate this week. Paddy, a senior lecturer in housing, is the first person from Northern Ireland to be elected to the position.

The Chartered Institute of Housing, the professional body for people involved in housing and communities has over 22,000 members working in over 20 countries across the world.

Director Grainia Long, said: “Paddy’s election as CIH Vice President takes place at a critical time for housing in Northern Ireland. His tenure as Vice President in 2009-2010 will see him lead the organisation’s work through the current recession. With many challenges facing the sector from housing benefit reform to making best use of our housing asset base, Paddy’s expertise will contribute to setting a long-term vision for housing, and for a sustainable future”.

Friday, 5 June 2009

NEW ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Bramley, G. & Watkins, D. (2008) Public Service Costs of Child Poverty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation: York http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/public-service-costs-child-poverty

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh University & ECA School of Architecture (2008) Design at the Heart of House-Building, Scottish Government Social Research http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/08110758/0

Levin, E. and Pryce, G. (2009) A regional house price model of excess demand for housing, RICS Research Report May 2009, ISBN: 978-1-84219-510-9

Pawson, H. & Sosenko, F. (2008) Sector Restructuring; Housing Corporation Sector Study 61; http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001010001005

Pawson, H. & Watkins, D. (2008) Analysing Key Trends in the Supply and Distribution of Social Housing Lettings; Housing Corporation Sector Study 62 http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001010001005

Pryce, G. (2009) Responding to the Impending Repossessions Crisis, Housing Analysis and Surveys Expert Panel Papers, 7, Communities and Local Government.

NEWS FROM RESEARCH CENTRES

HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY

Tackling Antisocial Behaviour: An Evaluation of Intensive Family Support Projects in Scotland

The report of a major research project led by Heriot-Watt University has just been published by the Scottish Government: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/272803/0081442.pdf

The research, managed by Professor Hal Pawson and undertaken in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, evaluated five ‘intensive family support projects’ established in various parts of Scotland. These schemes provide intensive help for ‘disruptive families’ at risk of eviction for anti-social behaviour. Their over-riding aim is to help prevent family breakup and/or homelessness which could result unless family problems are tackled and misconduct is consequently eliminated. The projects are at the cutting edge of Government policies to tackle antisocial behaviour and exemplify an official approach increasingly encompassing supportive as opposed to punitive responses.

The Impacts of Second Generation Stock Transfers in Urban Britain

After two decades of stock transfers council housing is a thing of the past in half of England’s local authorities. In England, a large proportion of post-1997 transfers have involved urban areas mainly in the Midlands and the North. In many of these localities newly-created housing associations have faced major challenges to address run-down estates, concentrated deprivation and sometimes a troubled history of community relations. In Scotland and Wales, local authority transfers only really began in 2003. However, in a number of the areas subsequently involved (e.g. Glasgow, Inverclyde), transfer housing associations have also taken on a highly problematic inheritance.

JRF-funded research on post-1997 ‘second generation’ stock transfers has recently been published at: http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/impacts-housing-stock-transfers-urban-britain The study, undertaken by Heriot-Watt University and Cardiff University focused mainly on ten case study transfers in England, Wales and Scotland. A major focus of the research was the controversial Glasgow stock transfer and the team’s case study report assessing Glasgow Housing Association’s first five years is also available at: http://www.sbe.hw.ac.uk/news%20images/GHA%20case%20study.pdf

Thursday, 14 May 2009

CLG ANALYTICAL SERVICES PROGRAMME

The CLG Analytical Services Analytical Programme 2009-2010 research newsletter has now been published online:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/analyticalservices200910

The challenge for the Directorate this year will be to continue the development of the evidence base on our core policy areas of housing, planning and regeneration, while also focusing on how the Department can mitigate the negative impacts of the economic downturn on individuals and families, communities and businesses and local public services.

Thursday, 7 May 2009

NEW ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Pryce, G. and Sprigings, N. (2009) Outlook for UK Housing and the Implications for Policy: Are we reaping what we have sown? International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, Issue 2 2009

Kate Barker Seminar

You are warmly invited to the following Department of Urban Studies / SHEFRN half-day seminar on 15th May:

Kate Barker - Housing Cycles, Financial Crises and the Supply of Housing

15th May 2009, T415 Adam Smith Building, Bute Gardens, University of Glasgow

The seminar will be Chaired by Professor Duncan Maclennan CBE (University of St Andrews) with contributions from Professor Kate Barker CBE (Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee), Dr Eric Levin and Professor Gwilym Pryce (Department of Urban Studies, University of Glasgow). The seminar will consider two key questions: (1) How does supply responsiveness change over the cycle and when is housing construction likely to recover? and (2) Does the credit crunch change fundamentally the housing supply debate?

Attendance at the seminar is free of charge but we need to know numbers for catering and admin purposes. Please let Betty Johnstone know if you plan to attend (B.Johnstone@socsci.gla.ac.uk ). For maps and directions, go to www.gla.ac.uk/about/locationmapsandtravel/mapsandtravel/maincampusmap .

Housing Research and Intelligence Conference

Northern Housing Consortium - Creating Sustainable Communities through Collaborative Research

York Racecourse - Thursday 4th June

The need for robust and informative research analysis and interpretation has long been highlighted as a necessity within an excellent organisation. The current economic climate and the resulting housing market downturn mean the need for up to date information to inform business planning and strategy making is more important than ever.

Partnership working is also a key priority for government and the links between health, education, employment and the economy are vital in assessments of future services. However there is a gap between consistent data collection in these sectors and multifaceted research projects. Now is the time to work with colleagues within a range of public and private services in order to meet shared priorities and create integrated strategies.

Our high calibre speakers come from a range of organisations with differing experience in the world of research and policy; these speakers will highlight wider strategic opportunities and the prerequisite for detailed analysis to develop, expand and monitor these. The event aims to give delegates a practical insight into what has worked in other areas and how to adapt those areas of good practice for your organisation.

Areas to be covered include:

• Links between housing and the economy and how this can be monitored
• The impact of a changing population on service delivery
• Update from NHPAU on measuring affordability
• Monitoring, influencing and shaping a changing environment
• Customer profiling and utilising data to improve services
• Linking Strategic Housing Market Assessments and Joint Strategic Needs

Who should attend?
Anyone working with data, information or research projects; from commissioning, analysing or interpreting results. This will include those from a policy or strategic background, those involved within primary and secondary data collection, or those with academic experience. Housing managers and those involved in performance reviewing and strategic planning will also find the event relevant to their role. In particular, Strategic Housing Managers, Housing Policy Managers, Research Managers, Regeneration Managers, Private Sector Managers, and Performance Managers and their teams will benefit from this event.

NEWS FROM CLG

New CLG research on migration and minority communities - http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/publications/research-stats/