http://www.chcymru.org.uk The latest new from Community Housing Cymru en-gb Copyright 2010 Community Housing Cymru http://backend.userland.com/rss/ Sun, 19 May 2013 19:36:10 GMT http://www.chcymru.org.uk/chc_dev_final/app_templates/chc-templates/images/logo.gif http://www.chcymru.org.uk CHC is recruiting for two new posts to support its Building Enterprise project. You can find further information on the links below:http://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-is-recruiting.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-is-recruiting.cfmFri, 10 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT Welsh Government have this week announced £76.5m worth of capital investment across Wales, with £30m extra for housing. £10m will be invested in the ''Houses into Homes'' empty homes initiative, with a further £20m for social housing grant, which will be targetted at building smaller properties, to provide housing for individuals and families that are affected by the UK Government''s housing benefit changes. Responding to the announcement, Community Housing Cymru Group Chief Executive Nick Bennett said: “The fact that the housing sector has received 39% of a £76.5m capital investment package demonstrates the political priority attached to housing and the growing realisation of its role in generating jobs http://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-government-announce-30m-investment-in-housing.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-government-announce-30m-investment-in-housing.cfmWed, 08 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT Press release from Welsh Government: A £400m funding boost to increase the supply of housing in Wales will help realise the Welsh Government’s ambitious plans to deliver 7,500 new affordable homes by 2016, Finance Minister Jane Hutt announced today (Friday 3 May). Despite UK Government budget cuts, since 2011 the Welsh Government has taken a number of major steps to boost investment in affordable housing. Along with the private finance that these initiatives facilitate, the Welsh Government’s contribution will total around £160m, and includes:   In 2011/12 £18.1m extra allocated to boost the supply of social housing and £3m extra for physical adaptation and disabled facilities grants. In 2012/13 &pouhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/400m-funding-boost-for-affordable-homes-in-wales-by-2016---jane-hutt.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/400m-funding-boost-for-affordable-homes-in-wales-by-2016---jane-hutt.cfmFri, 03 May 2013 09:00:00 GMT The need for good housing should not be forgotten in the debate about accident and emergency delays and delayed discharge from hospital, warns Care & Repair Cymru, the older people’s housing champion. It follows the recent announcement by Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, of measures to reduce waiting times for emergency treatment by tackling delayed transfers of older people out of hospital. Chief Executive of Care & Repair Cymru, Chris Jones, argues: ''One of the most cost effective ways of improving this situation is to increase investment in services that make older people''s own homes safe, warm and accessible. Most older people prefer to be at home and such investment, targeted at higher risk frail older people, would prehttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dont-forget-housing-in-bed-blocking-debate.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dont-forget-housing-in-bed-blocking-debate.cfmWed, 24 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT The Deputy Minister for Social Services in Wales, Gwenda Thomas recently announced her Well-being statement for people who need care and support and carers who need support. This has been announced to tie in with the publication of the Welsh Government’s Strategy for improvement and draft three year plan for social services in addition to a response on the initial consultation of the social services outcomes framework.   Housing should be considered a key determinant of an individual’s well-being. We welcome the emphasis of an individual’s well-being as driving the understanding of how we comprehend the impact of social service in Wales. In addition we welcome the move from Welsh Government to indicate a clearer definhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-governments-wellbeing-statement-announced.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-governments-wellbeing-statement-announced.cfmMon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT A bespoke set of Model Rules for Housing Associations in Wales that were recently accepted by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) have now been published. There was strong support from the sector, the Welsh Government, the CHC Group, and other key stakeholders for the development of this bespoke set of rules for Wales, designed to reflect: the specific regulatory framework in Wales and associated legislation & guidance; the accompanying greater emphasis being placed on Boards’ duties to uphold the best standards of governance and to effectively monitor the financial health of their Association; the move to a less prescribed framework and greater flexibility for HAs to develop governance arrangements that support their individuahttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-model-rules-for-housing-associations-in-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-model-rules-for-housing-associations-in-wales.cfmWed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT First introduced in 2009 the standards aim to ensure access to healthcare for some of the most vulnerable groups in society. Community Housing Cymru Group is pleased to acknowledge the launch of the revised Health and Homeless Standards announced recently by Prof. Sir Mansel Aylward at Cymorth Cymru’s Annual Conference.  We welcome the understanding of housing as central to a person’s health and wellbeing. The social housing sector is a major contributor to addressing homelessness in Wales and our members provide housing and services to vulnerable homeless groups supporting individuals to maintain tenancies, develop key life skills and engage with their local community. It will be important for RSLs to have continued involvhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/health-and-homeless-standards.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/health-and-homeless-standards.cfmWed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that most of the Pathfinders testing out Universal Credit in the north west are to be delayed until later this year. Trials in all four local authority test areas – Tameside, Oldham, Wigan and Warrington – were due to go live on 29 April. But in statement issued on March 28, the DWP said three of the four areas would not start until July. The statement said: “Ashton-under-Lyne [in Tameside] will be the first Jobcentre to accept claims for Universal Credit from 29 April. Wigan, Warrington and Oldham jobcentres will first trial the new claimant commitment and will take claims for Universal Credit beginning in July, informed by the early testing in Ashton-under-Lyne. This conhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/universal-credit-pathfinders-delayed.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/universal-credit-pathfinders-delayed.cfmWed, 03 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru (CHC), the membership body for housing associations in Wales, is today urging the Welsh Government to support a ‘Welfare Defence Programme’ to mitigate against the worst effects of Welfare Reform. Their call comes as the so called ‘bedroom tax’ is introduced – which will see 40,000 people in Wales lose on average £12 a week from their housing benefit.  The DWP have provided a number of ‘ solutions ’ for tenants affected by the ‘bedroom tax’ including encouraging them to downsize to a smaller property or applying to their local authority for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) to make up the shortfall, but CHC believe both ‘ solutions ’ havhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-defence-programme-urgently-needed-in-wales-as-bedroom-tax-hits.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-defence-programme-urgently-needed-in-wales-as-bedroom-tax-hits.cfmTue, 02 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-welfare-briefing.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-welfare-briefing.cfmWed, 27 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT The ‘Your Benefits are Changing’ campaign has been shortlisted for the Welfare Aware Awards (run by Allpay and 24housing). Over 50 organisations have signed up to support this campaign including housing associations, local authorities and advice agencies, and partnership working was key to us being shortlisted: ''The judges were full of praise for the joint working – recognising the value of a consistent message being communicated to all tenants right across Wales and keeping costs down for all involved, meaning each landlord could adopt the branding and messaging.'' The winner will be selected by public vote so we are urging you to vote. This is a sector-wide campaign, one which members and other organisations hhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/your-benefits-are-changing-campaign-shortlisted-for-welfare-aware-awards.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/your-benefits-are-changing-campaign-shortlisted-for-welfare-aware-awards.cfmTue, 26 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT Commenting on the Chancellor’s budget, Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: “We welcome measures to boost housing affordability and construction as well as the additional £161m in Welsh Government capital ''spending power'' boost over the next two years. We are urging them to invest this, along with the £227m consequential they have yet to allocate, towards a ‘Welfare Defence Programme’ to mitigate against the worst effects of hurricane housing benefit. As part of the ‘Welfare Defence Programme’, we need to reverse the 40% cuts in Social Housing Grant to enable us to boost the supply of one and two bed affordable homes. This will not only protect those struhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-the-chancellors-budget.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk//newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-the-chancellors-budget.cfmWed, 20 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT Rhian Robinson and Phillipa Knowles will be cycling from London to Paris in June in aid of Homeless International. To help them raise the fundraising target of £3,000, we will be holding a housing charity horse racing night at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff next Thursday evening (21 March) and we hope that you/your team would be interested in becoming a horse owner for the evening for the bargain price of £30. As an owner, you will get the opportunity to have a jockey in a race with your chosen colours along with admission for 5 supporters. Your name/team will also be placed in the Official Race Programme. Should your horse win, there will also be a prize for your table. We will also be holding a raffle with a number ofhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/still-time-to-book-for-homeless-international-race-night.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/still-time-to-book-for-homeless-international-race-night.cfmFri, 15 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT 14 th March 2013 CHC call for ‘Welfare Defence Programme’ to protect Welsh tenants Community Housing Cymru – the membership body for housing associations in Wales – has welcomed the announcement today of further funding to mitigate the impact of welfare reforms, and called upon Welsh Government to use the money as part of a ‘Welfare Defence Programme’ to protect Welsh tenants from the raft of changes being brought in by the Welfare Reform Act. Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis announced today that Welsh Government will spend an extra £750,000 on protecting people from welfare changes, and CHC have called for a programme of affordable credit, money and benefits advice, and capitalhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-call-for-welfare-defence-programme.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-call-for-welfare-defence-programme.cfmFri, 15 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT The Money Advice Service is seeking views and comments on a proposed quality framework for the debt advice sector in the UK. Please see below the points we wish to include in the response to the MAS consultation on quality standards in money advice. http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/money-advice-service-consultation---achieving-consistent-and-high-quality-debt-advice.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/money-advice-service-consultation---achieving-consistent-and-high-quality-debt-advice.cfmFri, 08 Mar 2013 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru have today submitted evidence to the second part of the Commission on Devolution in Wales (The Silk Commission). In our response, we have called for Welsh Government to have parity with the Northern Ireland Executive on powers over welfare reform. In Northern Ireland, these powers have seen the executive protect social housing tenants from many of the changes brought in by the UK Government''s Welfare Reform Act. We have also echoed Welsh Government and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action''s calls for a ''reserved powers'' model, as is currently in operation in Scotland.   For further information, please see our full response on our Consultations page.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/silk-commission-response-calls-for-parity-with-northern-ireland-on-welfare-powers.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/silk-commission-response-calls-for-parity-with-northern-ireland-on-welfare-powers.cfmWed, 27 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT Not-for-profit social enterprise to be opened by Huw Lewis, AM to cull high interest lender and loan shark use Huw Lewis AM will officially open Moneyline Merthyr Tydfil today , a not-for-profit social enterprise, providing affordable loans and free money advice to people who are usually ignored by mainstream lenders. Set up and part funded by housing associations, Moneyline Merthyr Tydfil is the sixth branch to open in Wales and will provide a real alternative to high interest money lenders and loan sharks.  Moneyline Merthyr Tydfil is opening as hurricane housing benefit approaches. The so called ‘Bedroom Tax’ will be introduced in April with 40,000 people in Wales expected to be affected, losing part of their housing benhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-merthyr-tydfil-opens-as-cuts-watch-cymru-call-for-action-to-increase-financial-capability-and-debt-prevention.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-merthyr-tydfil-opens-as-cuts-watch-cymru-call-for-action-to-increase-financial-capability-and-debt-prevention.cfmThu, 21 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT A Wales cuts watchdog is calling on the Welsh Government to protect families who could be made homeless when the new ‘bedroom tax’ kicks in.  “Many people will have to face moving to a cheaper home, if they can find one, or living with a hefty cut in benefit. Some risk falling into arrears and losing their home altogether,” warns Cuts Watch Cymru (CWC) in a report launched today. The report calls on the Welsh Government, local authorities, and housing associations to act now to protect tenants from the impact of the new rules. It calls on ministers to take the lead to put safeguards in place against the worst effects of the changes. Wales will be the hardest hit part of the UK when the new Social Size Criteria (http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/plea-to-save-bedroom-tax-families-from-losing-their-homes.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/plea-to-save-bedroom-tax-families-from-losing-their-homes.cfmThu, 21 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT Horse Racing is the Sport of Kings and we would like you to join us in an evening of fun and high stakes excitement on 21 March... As you may know, two members of the Community Housing Cymru team, Phillipa Knowles and Rhian Robinson, will be taking part in a London to Paris bike ride for Homeless International in June 2013.  Homeless International supports slum dwellers in Africa and Asia to improve their lives and find lasting solutions to urban poverty.  On this trip we will encounter 4 days of relentless cycling - a colossal 271 miles from start to finish with gruelling hill climbs and rough undulating terrain.  To help us raise our target of £3,000 we will be holding a housing charity horse racinhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/fundraising-race-night-for-homeless-international.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/fundraising-race-night-for-homeless-international.cfmMon, 18 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT Today the Welsh Affairs Committee launched a report which says that the government should be providing better support to veterans in Wales in areas such as housing and health. Commenting on the report, Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru, the membership body for housing associations in Wales, said the report was necessary but not sufficient and that a new ambition was needed to tackle homelessness amongst Veterans.   He said: “We welcome this report, but don’t think it goes far enough. Wales accounts for 5% of the UK population yet it provides 8% of UK military personnel. It is unacceptable that a significant number of our veterans face homelessness. Waiting list for social housing in Wales are cohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/support-for-armed-forces-veterans-in-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/support-for-armed-forces-veterans-in-wales.cfmWed, 13 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/universal-credit---local-support-services-framework.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/universal-credit---local-support-services-framework.cfmWed, 13 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT Measuring our progress… Planning our Future Please see two documents from the Community Housing Cymru Group at the bottom of the page. We hope you’ll take the time to read both. The first document, ‘Measuring our Progress’ highlights our achievements against our Corporate Plan objectives for the last three years. It demonstrates the work we’ve been doing with you and on your behalf. There are some key successes we can look back on, not least the fact that over the last five years the sector has received over £250m additional funding through capital budgets including SCIF and Arbed programmes. The Dowry has been protected from heavy capital cuts and we have a new Regulatory system. To date, we have nhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-corporate-plan-consultation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-corporate-plan-consultation.cfmFri, 01 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT A press release from The Big Lunch: As The Big Lunch approaches its fifth year this year, we’re looking to celebrate the fantastic difference our Big Lunchers have made to their communities by hosting the  Big Lunch Community Awards. We want to give something back, by recognising the Big Lunch community action happening in villages, towns and cities across the UK. Nominations are open to all communities that have taken part in The Big Lunch over the years, who have seen a positive difference in their local community, and can meet the simple criteria below. • Have taken part in The Big Lunch • Be able to describe the positive impact their Big Lunch has had on their community ohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/the-big-lunch-community-awards.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/the-big-lunch-community-awards.cfmThu, 31 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT It was announced yesterday that the Assembly Member Older Person spokespeople are as follows: Conservative - Darren Millar AM Labour – Gwenda Thomas AM Plaid Cymru – Lindsay Whittle AM Liberal Democrats – Aled Roberts AM Commenting on the appointments, Matt Kennedy, CHC’s Policy Officer for Care, Support & Community Health said: “We welcome the creation of these roles. Our members work in partnership with social care and health to empower older people through dynamic housing, care and support services. We look forward to working closely with them to discuss the on-going developments Housing Associations are making to improve the lives of older people throughout Wales.” Older People’s Commissionehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/older-person-spokespeople-appointed.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/older-person-spokespeople-appointed.cfmWed, 23 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT Labour MP Jessica Morden hosted a debate at Westminster Hall yesterday, on the effects of the bedroom tax on social housing tenants in Wales. The debate was well attended by Welsh MPs, and CHC were happy to provide all Welsh MPs with a briefing on the effects of these changes. Ms. Morden also raised some of the issues faced by tenants in finding a solution if they are under-occupying, as discussed with the Your Benefits Are Changing advisors. She said: “The findings of the hotline of Community Housing Cymru—  “Your Benefits Are Changing”—found that 13% of people who rang would consider downsizing and 8% might consider a lodger. However, 79% said that taking on a lodger or moving were not suitable options ahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/westminster-debates-on-under-occupation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/westminster-debates-on-under-occupation.cfmWed, 23 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT We have now had to cancel all CHC events on 23 January due to predicted bad weather. We are hoping to continue to run our training courses on 24 January.  Please check our website for further details, or call the main office on 029 2067 4800. Thanks for your patience.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/snow-update---22-january.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/snow-update---22-january.cfmTue, 22 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/win-a-free-day-delegate-place-at-the-conference-of-your-choice.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/win-a-free-day-delegate-place-at-the-conference-of-your-choice.cfmMon, 21 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT Due to the weather we have had to postpone our Welfare Reform Strategic Day and will shortly be announcing another date. The following events are still running in our Cardiff office unless we get more heavy snow: 22.01.13 – Outcomes and Self Assessment 23.01.13 – Measuring your social impact 24.01.13 – Outcomes and Self Assessment 24.01.13 - Building your toolkit for the job Our email system will be down all day on 22 January.  If you have any queries, please call us on 029 2067 4800.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/snow-update---chc-events.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/snow-update---chc-events.cfmMon, 21 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT Due to circumstances out of our control, we will be experiencing network disruption on Tuesday 22 January for a possible 24 hours. For this period, we will be unable to access emails or network drives. Please bear with us during the disruption, and we will reply to any queries as soon as we can once our systems are back up and running. Apologies for any inconvenience.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/possible-email-disruption-on-tuesday-22-january.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/possible-email-disruption-on-tuesday-22-january.cfmThu, 17 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT Jane Hutt, Minister for Finance, has just announced an additional capital investment of £30m for housing due to ‘careful financial management from Welsh Government’. The £30m package includes funding for affordable housing and other housing priorities such as an alternative approach to delivering housing adaptations and land for housing schemes. Welcoming the announcement, Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru, the membership body for housing associations in Wales, said: ''We are a sector that has repeatedly shown that we can deliver. In 2011/12 our members built nearly 2,000 new affordable homes, spent over £950m, 80% of which was retained in Wales and supported over 20,000 jobs. We arhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-react-to-capital-investment-announcement.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-react-to-capital-investment-announcement.cfmTue, 15 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT At a recent meeting of CHC’s National Council, Tim Blanch, Chief Executive of Coastal Housing Group, was elected as the chair for the forthcoming year, while Amanda Protheroe, board member of Newydd Housing and Doiran Jones, board member of Melin Homes, were elected vice chairs. John Keegan, Chief Executive of Monmouthshire Housing will take up the post of treasurer. Other members of CHC’s National Council are as follows: Andrew Lycett – RCT Homes Peter Maggs – Pembrokeshire Housing Kevin Protheroe – Cardiff Community Housing Association Stephen Cripps – Tai Ceredigion Elgar Lewis – Hafod Housing Jasper Roberts – Cadwyn Housing Peter Holmes – First Choice HA Hilary Ryan - First Choice HAhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-national-council-members-elected.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-national-council-members-elected.cfmTue, 15 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT CHC’s Annual Report for 2012 is called ‘Innovate, Collaborate, Demonstrate’ and is ready to view on the link below: http://chcymru.org.uk/chc_dev_final//publications/annual-report.cfm The report describes the way we''ve worked over the last 12 months to achieve and deliver the priorities set out in our corporate plan, discusses the highlights of the last year, summarises statistics from the last financial year and gives information on CHC’s staff. It is an electronic and interactive report, complete with video content from our policy team. If you have any feedback on the report, please don’t hesitate to contact bethan-samuel@chcymru.org.uk .http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/innovate-collaborate-demonstrate---annual-report-2012.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/innovate-collaborate-demonstrate---annual-report-2012.cfmMon, 17 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMT A public lecture on poverty and welfare reform by Julia Unwin will be held in the Pierhead Building in Cardiff at 6.30pm on Tuesday 19 February 2013. Refreshments will be served from 6pm, and the lecture will be followed by a reception. Anyone wishing to reserve a place at the lecture should either send their details to rsvp@glam.ac.uk or contact Alex Harden directly on aharden@glam.ac.uk or 01443 483362.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/poverty-and-welfare-reform-lecture---19-february-2013.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/poverty-and-welfare-reform-lecture---19-february-2013.cfmTue, 11 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru (CHC), the membership body for housing associations in Wales, has called for Welsh Government to take bold action following today’s Autumn Statement, investing £227m in social and affordable housing, which will guarantee the delivery of their own target of 7,500 affordable homes. Social Housing Grant (SHG) faces a 40% cut this year, and a further cut of 20% next year, and studies by the Welsh Economic Research Unit suggest that without further funding, the sector may find it difficult to hit Welsh Government’s target. Nick Bennett, CHC Group Chief Executive, said: “The social housing sector has repeatedly shown that we can deliver affordable housing targets put to us by Welsh Government. We hahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/use-autumn-statement-consequential-to-deliver-barnett-share-of-affordable-homes.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/use-autumn-statement-consequential-to-deliver-barnett-share-of-affordable-homes.cfmWed, 05 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru (CHC), the membership body for housing associations in Wales, has welcomed the capital investment in housing announced this week by Welsh Government and called for further action to stimulate the Welsh economy with the UK Government’s Autumn Statement due next week.  As part of the Final Budget announcement, Welsh Government will provide £16.7m for the use of public sector land for housing. The Chair and Chief Executive of CHC will use their National Symposium in Llandudno to call for more investment in housing, and adopt the type of stimulus package being debated at a UK level. Group Chief Executive of CHC, Nick Bennett, said: “We welcome today’s announcement, and the recognition from Wehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcome-investment-call-for-more-action-from-welsh-government.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcome-investment-call-for-more-action-from-welsh-government.cfmWed, 28 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT Press release from the Welsh Government''s website: “The Welsh Government is delivering growth and jobs at the toughest of times,” Finance Minister Jane Hutt said today when she announced almost £47m of extra capital funding to meet economic and infrastructure needs. The Final Budget for 2013-14 that was published today includes an additional £30m for a second phase of the Economic Growth Fund and £16.7m for the use of public sector land for housing.  This brings the total additional capital investment in the Final Budget to £220m. Finance Minister Jane Hutt said: “When I published the Draft Budget I announced £175m of capital funding.  Today we are building on this with a furthhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/220m-capital-boost-to-help-the-welsh-economy.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/220m-capital-boost-to-help-the-welsh-economy.cfmTue, 27 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT On the 16 th July 2012, Business, Enterprise and Technology Minister Edwina Hart announced the setting up of the Welsh Co-operative and Mutuals Commission (the Commission), under the Chairmanship of Professor Andrew Davies, Swansea University’s Strategic Adviser. The remit of the Commission will be to make recommendations on growing and developing the co-operative and mutual economy in Wales in order to create jobs and wealth in support of the Welsh Government’s aims and ambitions.  The Members of the Commission will be as follows: Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru. Dr Molly Scott Cato, Professor of Strategy and Sustainability at Roehampton University Dame Pauline Green, President of International Co-http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-to-sit-on-welsh-co-operatives--mutual-commission.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-to-sit-on-welsh-co-operatives--mutual-commission.cfmMon, 26 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT In a report published today, “ Universal Credit implementation: meeting the needs of vulnerable claimants”, the Work and Pensions Committee concludes that the Government has designed a welfare system which should help ease the transition from benefits to work, but warns that significant concerns remain about the potential impact of the changes on some of the most vulnerable benefit claimants. It urges the Government to reflect on its ambitious implementation timetable. The report was launched in the House of Commons today by the Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Dame Anne Begg MP.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/universal-credit-government-must-ensure-implementation-plans-protect-most-vulnerable-in-society-say-mps.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/universal-credit-government-must-ensure-implementation-plans-protect-most-vulnerable-in-society-say-mps.cfmThu, 22 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Welfare Reform Act received Royal Assent in March this year. The Act introduces a new Universal Credit which will replace most existing benefits and limits the total amount of benefit a person can claim. It also introduces a new size criteria or ‘bedroom tax’ in the social rented sector, and replaces disability living allowance with a Personal Independence Payment. Community Housing Cymru (a member of the Cuts Watch Cymru Coalition) are today launching a campaign supported by the Church in Wales and over thirty other third sector and charity organisations to raise awareness of the changes and to urge people to seek advice and support as soon as possible. Community Housing Cymru are warning that homelessness may increase as ahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/hurricane-housing-benefit---the-perfect-storm.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/hurricane-housing-benefit---the-perfect-storm.cfmWed, 21 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT The upcoming welfare reform changes, including the introduction of Universal Credit, and the removal of the direct payment of housing benefit to landlords, will expose many of the most vulnerable people in society to challenges they have never faced before. To date, UK Government have offered little flexibility and support for tenants who are often financially incapable and digitally excluded, and Community Housing Cymru believes that Welsh tenants should be afforded the same protection that those in Northern Ireland are seeing. In anticipation of the launch of the second stage of the Silk Commission, Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of CHC said: ''We need to go above and beyond the Scottish model of Reserved Powers. In Northern Ireland,http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/we-need-to-go-above-and-beyond-scottish-model.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/we-need-to-go-above-and-beyond-scottish-model.cfmMon, 19 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT The response to the launch of the ‘Your Benefits Are Changing’ campaign on Wednesday 21 November has been hugely popular, and due to this high demand we have had to change the venue. The launch will now take place at the Wales Millennium Centre in the Glanfa Public Area, from 12:15pm. We look forward to seeing you there! Please contact aaron-hill@chcymru.org.uk if you would like to attend.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/your-benefits-are-changing-launch---change-of-venue.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/your-benefits-are-changing-launch---change-of-venue.cfmFri, 16 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-annual-general-meeting---29-november-2012.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-annual-general-meeting---29-november-2012.cfmThu, 15 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT Independent research suggests that the Welsh Government’s target of building 7,500 new affordable homes by 2015 can be achieved, but only if the current level of investment is sustained. This is according to a report by the Welsh Economic Research Unit (WERU), commissioned by Community Housing Cymru, which highlights that Welsh Housing Associations provided 1973 additional homes in 2011/12 – more than a quarter of the 7,500 target. 73% of the 1973 homes were built using social housing grant, the grant housing associations get from Welsh Government. However, with a predicted 40% cut in investment over the coming years, production could fall to around 850 homes a year, putting the target at risk. The WERU report also focuses on thhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-housing-associations-the-bigger-picture.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-housing-associations-the-bigger-picture.cfmWed, 14 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT You are invited to join LEASE on 14 December at CHC''s offices from 9:45am to hear our legal advisers talk about important issues for leaseholders, as well as for one-to-one advice sessions with a LEASE legal adviser. If you would like to attend please email lease@lease-advice.org   Topics covered Who is LEASE and how can we assist leaseholders Service charges and major works Management matters Lease extensions Freehold purchase When:  Friday 14 December 2012 from 09:45 till 16:30 Where: 2 Ocean Way, Cardiff, CF24 5TG How much?  Free Please see the flyer below for further information:  http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-host-open-day-for-leaseholders.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-host-open-day-for-leaseholders.cfmTue, 06 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT Press release from Welsh Tenants/Tenantiaid Cymru The <ST1:country-region w:st='on'><ST1:place w:st='on'>UK</ST1:place></ST1:country-region> coalition government is to introduce what social tenants refer to as the ‘bedroom tax’ as part of the Welfare Reform Act introduced on the 8 th March 2012. Designed to ease the shortage of family accommodation, it will create misery for already hard pressed tenants hit by a number of welfare changes, whether they are working or not. From the 1 st April 2013 tenants under-occupying their home by one bedroom, can expect a 14% shortfall in housing benefit to pay their eligible rent, and 24% for two bedrooms or more. These tenants can expect to see an average reduction in contribution towards rhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-tenants-release-report-on-impact-of-under-occupation-charges.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-tenants-release-report-on-impact-of-under-occupation-charges.cfmThu, 01 Nov 2012 09:00:00 GMT In a joint announcement today, the Welsh and UK Governments have announced progress on the future funding of Wales. Both Governments have commied to negotiating to achieve a sustainable arrangement for Welsh devolved funding and the UK public finances, that each can accept as being fair and affordable. The Welsh Government believes that a mutually acceptable outcome to those discussions is an essential precondition for any significant devolution of taxes and the UK Government will only implement such changes with the consent of the National Assembly for Wales. In principle, the UK Government accepts the case for the Welsh Government to have access to borrowing powers in order to finance infrastructure projects, subject to an appropriate indhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/governments-reach-new-agreement-on-welsh-funding.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/governments-reach-new-agreement-on-welsh-funding.cfmWed, 24 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT Following on from the Wales Audit Office report in January, the Welsh Government have this week published a report on the progress of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. The key points from the latest release are: At 31 March 2012 a total of 72,329 social housing dwellings (33 per cent) were fully compliant with the WHQS and a further 19,825 dwellings (9 per cent) were compliant subject to acceptable fails. A greater proportion of registered social landlord (RSL) dwellings had achieved full compliance at 31 March 2012 at 40 per cent (53,260 dwellings) compared to 22 per cent (19,069 dwellings) of local authority dwellings. RSLs also had a higher proportion of their dwellings achieving compliance subject to acceptable fails at 14 per cent cohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-report-on-progress-of-whqs.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-report-on-progress-of-whqs.cfmFri, 19 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT The first PR and Communication Awards ceremony was held at CHC''s PR Conference on 26 September in Wrexham. There was fierce competition in many categories, and the standard of entries was exceptionally high. Members of the PR Network judged each other''s entries and found this to be a great experience as they saw some good examples of good practice and learned more about what their counterparts in other organisations are working on.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-pr-and-communication-awards-2012---winners.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-pr-and-communication-awards-2012---winners.cfmMon, 08 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Welsh Government has today published their Draft Budget proposals for 2013-14. CHC believe that the draft budget is far short of the type of stimulus package being debated at UK level. Yesterday Ed Balls used his speech at the Labour Party conference in Manchester to spell out his idea to boost the housing market and construction industry, he believes that the Government needs to ‘Build our way out of recession and re-build Britain for the future.’ He said: 'Let''s use that money from the 4G sale and build over the next two years 100,000 new homes - affordable homes to rent and to buy - creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and getting our construction industry moving again.” Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of CHChttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-welsh-government-draft-budget.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-welsh-government-draft-budget.cfmWed, 03 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Welsh Government have today published their Draft Budget proposals for 2013-14. The announcement will see an extra £12m in funding for the Welsh Housing Partnership over the next two years, as well as £10m further investment in domestic energy efficiency programmes. To see the Draft Budget and supporting documents please click here .http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-government-publish-2013-14-draft-budget.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-government-publish-2013-14-draft-budget.cfmTue, 02 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT Have you booked your place at our One Big Housing UnConference yet? It takes place on 17/18/19 October at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, and is full of informative main sessions and workshops on housing services, development, maintenance, support, financial inclusion, regeneration and rural housing. The early bird offer comes to an end on Tuesday 18 September - Don''t miss out! http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/one-big-housing-unconference---early-bird-offer-closes-on-tuesday-18-september.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/one-big-housing-unconference---early-bird-offer-closes-on-tuesday-18-september.cfmThu, 13 Sep 2012 09:00:00 GMT The JRF report focuses on what can be done to move away from a volatile housing market. BBC Wales Post Cyntaf picked up on the point about Council Tax and the need to create more bands as the system is deemed to benefit households who live in higher value properties, and JRF believe there should be a fairer and more robust property tax. Sioned Hughes, Director of Policy and Regeneration at CHC was interviewed by Radio Cymru and commented: ''It is lack of supply to meet the demand that creates a volatile housing market and  there needs to be a holistic approach with short and long term goals - more investment in social housing, less bureaucracy and standardisation of the private rented sector and investment in empty homeshttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/joseph-rowntree-foundation-launch-tackling-housing-market-volatility-in-the-uk-a-progress-report.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/joseph-rowntree-foundation-launch-tackling-housing-market-volatility-in-the-uk-a-progress-report.cfmWed, 12 Sep 2012 09:00:00 GMT Please find an article below that’s in the Western Mail today: A quirk in the devolution settlement could potentially rob Wales of £500m in housing investment, we can reveal. Last week Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced a significant housing stimulus package for England. In the normal course of events, money spent on devolved policy areas like housing across the border results in a proportion of the cash – known as a “Barnett consequential” after the funding formula that determines how much money comes from the Treasury to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – being given to the Welsh Government. But on this occasion, a crucial element of the package is a £10bn loan guarantee scheme to hehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-could-miss-out-on-500m-of-housing-investment-in-devolution-quirk.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-could-miss-out-on-500m-of-housing-investment-in-devolution-quirk.cfmTue, 11 Sep 2012 09:00:00 GMT The CHC Group have responded to the Housing White Paper after consulting with the sector. Please see our response below:http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-respond-to-housing-white-paper.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-respond-to-housing-white-paper.cfmFri, 17 Aug 2012 09:00:00 GMT The first Social Housing Fire Safety Strategy Group meeting took place on 17 July 2012 in Llandrindod Wells. The next meeting will take place in September. In the meantime, please see below for useful attachments from the meeting.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-fire-safety-strategy-group.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-fire-safety-strategy-group.cfmMon, 06 Aug 2012 09:00:00 GMT The CHC Group have submitted a response to the Welsh Government’s proposals for a Sustainable Development Bill, stressing the need to ensure that clear links are made between the SD bill and the various policy and legislative developments being led through different departments in Welsh Government, including the Housing and Planning bills and the Active Travel Bill, in order to ensure that it is effective and part of an integrated change. Developing sustainability as a Central Organising Principle and a duty for public services to adhere to provides an opportunity in Wales to improve public service delivery, integrate policy design and delivery in Wales to promote greater well-being, promote social justice and equality and contribute http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-responds-to-sustainable-development-bill-consultation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-responds-to-sustainable-development-bill-consultation.cfmFri, 27 Jul 2012 09:00:00 GMT Over for another year! Two days of looking at current IT trends, catching up with colleagues and meeting new friends. This article is from a personal perspective and so may not include all the sessions and workshops available. A varied programme of main and workshop sessions began with a very moving talk from Richard McCann. This was a challenging listen, but showed how with determination and optimism you can overcome enormous challenges. A fantastic start to the conference! Next I headed into the clouds... well, a session from David Terrar (an honorary Welshman). David provided an engaging and vigorous debate on cloud computing and his vision of computing in the future. An excellent exchange of views and ideas left everyone very satisfied http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/resources-conference-review-from-an-it-perspective.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/resources-conference-review-from-an-it-perspective.cfmThu, 19 Jul 2012 09:00:00 GMT The DWP have published a new impact assessment on the social sector size criteria or bedroom tax. This replaces the previous impact assessment published in February 2011. The figures have altered slightly with 40,000 people in Wales expected to be affected with an average loss of £12.00 per week (previously £11.00). The latest estimates and full report can be read here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/social-sector-housing-under-occupation-wr2011-ia.pdfhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dwp-publish-new-impact-assessments.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dwp-publish-new-impact-assessments.cfmWed, 11 Jul 2012 09:00:00 GMT Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said:<u1:p></u1:p> ‘Our members, Welsh housing associations, are working hard to implement and communicate the latest round of welfare reform changes. Housing benefit reform is already creating rises in homelessness applications and increased use of bed and breakfast accommodation. Wrexham, for example, is facing a 15 year high in homelessness acceptances and scrapping housing benefit for under 25s will only exacerbate this. We need to fully understand what the full impact of the current changes are before we instigate more and we believe that the £2bn of savings this measure is expected to deliver will be offset by costs to other budgets including social chttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-plans-by-david-cameron-to-stop-housing-benefit-for-those-under-25.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-plans-by-david-cameron-to-stop-housing-benefit-for-those-under-25.cfmMon, 25 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT The new Head Office of the Community Housing Cymru Group will be officially opened in Cardiff today, June 21. The offices will be opened by the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, Huw Lewis AM. Gillian Clarke, National Poet for Wales, will also be among the invited guests as the CHC Group’s adopted Poet. Gillian was commissioned by the CHC Group through the H’mm foundation, a not for profit organisation, formed to bridge the gap between poets and people by bringing modern poetry into the workplace. The CHC Group was formed in 2010 and comprises of CHC, the membership body for housing associations, as the parent body and Care & Repair Cymru, the ‘Older People’s Housing Champion’ and &nhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-welcome-gillian-clarke-as-their-adopted-poet.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-welcome-gillian-clarke-as-their-adopted-poet.cfmThu, 21 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT National Housing Federation Annual Conference and Social Housing Exhibition 17-19 September 2012, ICC, Birmingham Join more than 1,000 attendees at this gathering place for anyone involved in social housing to network. An exciting programme has been carefully designed to support your business and provide a platform for discussion, analysis and debate. Attend this housing conference for your opportunity to have your say in influencing the social housing agenda. Key topics for discussion include: is the housing association model still relevant?  what would the sector look like if Apple did housing? have we learnt from the economic crisis?  why we need a Green Deal how to fund future new homes Value for Money – is deliverihttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/national-federations-annual-conference-17-19-september---discount-for-chc-group-members.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/national-federations-annual-conference-17-19-september---discount-for-chc-group-members.cfmThu, 14 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT On 8th March 2012 the Welfare Reform Act received Royal Assent.  The Act legislates for the biggest changes to the welfare benefit system in 60 years.   In a recent survey members told us that welfare reform is one of the biggest challenges housing associations will face in the next few years.   CHC will be facilitating a strategy day  which will take place on Thursday 19th July at the Media Resource Centre, Llandrindod Wells.  At this event we will look at a range of practical steps with examples of best practice to help your organization cope with the challenge of welfare reform including sessions on: Assessing the impact of welfare benefit reform on your organisation Demonstration Project update  Phttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-event---19-july.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-event---19-july.cfmThu, 07 Jun 2012 09:00:00 GMT Tuesday 26 June, 10am - 1:15pm Theatre Soar, Merthyr A sustainable social enterprise that creates jobs and training opportunities can be a great support to a local community, but what is the best way to facilitate their development?  This event will look at innovative ways to support them. Come along and find out more about social enterprises. There will be a range of case studies and opportunities for discussion. The event will have three themes: Theme 1 - Using procurement budgets to engage with supply chain in effective ways Theme 2 - Setting up a trading arm within your organisation to support the creation of a social enterprise Theme 3 - Collaborating to support social enterprises develop their businesses. Please see the linkhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-enterprise-event---engage-trade-collaborate.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-enterprise-event---engage-trade-collaborate.cfmWed, 30 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru Group are now fully operational in our new office. Our new address is 2 Ocean Way, Cardiff, CF24 5TG, and our new telephone number is 029 2067 4800. We look forward to seeing you at our new office soon!http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/we-have-moved.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/we-have-moved.cfmTue, 29 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT We are moving offices during the next week, and our email server will be turned off from 5pm on Wednesday 23 May. We will not be operational on Thursday, Friday or Monday due to the office move, and will be back online in our new office from 9am on Tuesday 29 May. We will still be able to receive phone calls on Thursday, and staff can be contacted on their mobile numbers. From 28 May, our new contact details will be: CHC Group, 2 Ocean Way, Cardiff, CF24 5TG Tel:  029 2067 4800 Fax: 029 2067 4801 Please amend your records to show our new address and telephone numbers from 28 May 2012. All email addresses remain the same. Thank you for your co-operation.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-are-moving-office---.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-are-moving-office---.cfmWed, 23 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT An additional £5million for the Empty Homes recyclable loan, a mortgage guarantee scheme for first time buyers and an additional £6million for the Welsh Housing Partnership were announced as part of the Welsh Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan for Growth and Jobs today.   The announcement was welcomed by Community Housing Cymru and comes a day after the launch of ‘Homes for Wales – a white paper for better lives and communities’. £2m extra was also announced for Arbed and £4m per year for 30 years for a Welsh Housing Bond. Jane Hutt, AM also stated that she would be allocating £260m of centrally retained funds for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 at a later stage.    http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/without-investment-and-innovation-welsh-housing-target-would-take-11-years-to-reach.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/without-investment-and-innovation-welsh-housing-target-would-take-11-years-to-reach.cfmTue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT Creating sustainable communities across Wales is a key aspect of the work of our members and we agree that only an approach that connects and integrates economic, social and environmental challenges will achieve sustainable development. In particular, we see energy efficiency as a massive factor for carbon reduction, fighting fuel poverty and where possible the creation of green Jobs. Forecasters are predicting continued rises in energy prices and furthermore Government figures suggest that by 2020, climate change levies will be adding 2.1% of annual income to the energy bills of the poorest households, if they receive no benefit from energy efficiency programmes to reduce their bills. The latest Wales wide fuel poverty figures show an incrhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-sustainability-week---what-are-housing-associations-doing-around-sustainability.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-sustainability-week---what-are-housing-associations-doing-around-sustainability.cfmTue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT This morning the Welsh Government launched Homes for Wales, a White Paper for better lives and communities. It includes a number of legislative and non legislative actions including:   More action to increase the supply of new homes, including the use of a range of innovative funding mechanisms Providing local authorities with a discretionary power to levy a higher rate of council tax on properties that have been empty for more than a year Releasing surplus public sector owned land for affordable housing Modernize the private rented sector by introducing a mandatory landlord registration and accreditation scheme. We are expecting an announcement on funding tomorrow in the Supplementary Budget where CHC have been calling for furthehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-government-launch-homes-for-wales-white-paper-for-better-lives-and-communities.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-government-launch-homes-for-wales-white-paper-for-better-lives-and-communities.cfmMon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT A social business that lends money to a customer largely ignored and unwanted by banks has scooped the prestigious “Credit Today: Responsible Lender of the Year 2012” for the second consecutive year. Moneyline Cymru has five high street outlets in South Wales whose aim is to provide affordable loans to people who can’t access mainstream financial services. The total number of completed loans in Wales has exceeded 9,000 with total lending to date exceeding £4.2million. 80 percent of customers have also opened savings accounts, with customer deposits exceeding £150,000. Housing Associations in Wales were instrumental in setting up and part financing Moneyline Cymru along with Community Housing Cymru – the mhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-voted-responsible-lender-of-the-year-2012.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-voted-responsible-lender-of-the-year-2012.cfmFri, 18 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT We are now receiving entries for the 2012 Capturing Creativity Award. For further information and to download the entry form, please click here . The closing date for your entries is Friday 12 October 2012 - please return all entries to ceri-ward@chcymru.org.uk . We look forward to receiving your entries, and the winner will be announced at our Annual Conference in Llandudno on 29 November.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/capturing-creativity---pat-chown-award.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/capturing-creativity---pat-chown-award.cfmWed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Welsh Government have today set a housing target of providing 12,500 homes during this term of Government.  The target made up of 7,500 affordable homes and bringing 5,000 empty properties back into use. CHC have been calling for a target for some time under the banner ‘Campaign 8000’ and last month the Communities, Equality and Local Government committee also recommended that Welsh Government set a target following an inquiry into the provision of affordable housing in Wales. Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of CHC said: “We welcome this target and believe it will focus minds and resources for all those involved in delivering affordable housing. Looking at the bigger picture – it is about some much more http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcomes-target-for-affordable-homes.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcomes-target-for-affordable-homes.cfmMon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 GMT Exactly three months after its last issuance, THFC priced a £131m tap of its 32 year THFC Funding last week. The transaction was lead managed by Royal Bank of Canada and Royal Bank of Scotland and was for thirteen underlying borrowers.  The transaction was spread across a wide range of borrowers.  Given recent interest in a ‘Welsh Bond’, the largest single group of participants were Welsh borrowers: five Housing associations (HA) in this deal added to the three in THFC ‘s last transaction.  THFC has allocated a total of £68m in 30 year funding to Welsh Borrowers in the last three months. The credit spread on the latest deal at 2.05% was inside the majority of recent own name issues, reflecting ovhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/boost-for-welsh-housing-investment-from-the-housing-finance-corporation-thfc-bond-deal.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/boost-for-welsh-housing-investment-from-the-housing-finance-corporation-thfc-bond-deal.cfmFri, 27 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT On behalf of Warm Wales - if you require any further information, please contact Eira Rowe directly on eira.rowe@warmwales.org.uk Regeneration - The Whole Picture 17th & 18th May, Cardiff What are the challenges facing the regeneration of our communities? What do we need to do and what can we learn from others? These are the questions being posed at this conference organised by Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes and supported by the Welsh School of Architecture, the European Housing Ecology Network (EHEN), Low Carbon Research Institute and BRE. The conference will see the launch of an ARBED Phase 1 report, looking at some of the lessons learnt from the Welsh Government funded project. In addition to looking at the social, http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/regeneration-the-whole-picture---1718-may-cardiff.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/regeneration-the-whole-picture---1718-may-cardiff.cfmWed, 25 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-target-recommendation-welcomed.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-target-recommendation-welcomed.cfmMon, 23 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT The government has amended its flagship retrofit policy so that social landlords are no longer entirely excluded from fuel poverty subsidy funding.   Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg today announced that the £1.3 billion energy company obligation – money raised through a levy on fuel bills to subsidise the government’s green deal programme – will now focus £540 million on tackling fuel poverty.   Previously only 25 per cent of ECO was to be used to relieve households from fuel poverty, through the £325 million affordable warmth fund – and social landlords were to be excluded from accessing this subsidy.   However, today Mr Clegg revealed that the amount of ECO funding allocated to subhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/plans-for-a-more-targeted-energy-company-obligation-announced.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/plans-for-a-more-targeted-energy-company-obligation-announced.cfmMon, 16 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT Put your money where your mouth is – a stern challenge has been issued by Cuts Watch Cymru to the Welsh Government as the coalition releases its second report Crisis Loans: experiences of people in need , focusing on the Social Fund – the first area of the welfare system to be devolved from Westminster to the Welsh Government. CHC is a member of Cuts Watch Cymru.  Crisis loans are interest-free loans given to anyone – whether or not they are on benefit – to meet their immediate, short-term needs in an emergency where there is a threat to health or well-being, or as a result of a major change in circumstances. The Welfare Reform Act transfers responsibility for Crisis Loans and the related Community Care Grants thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/cuts-watch-cymru-press-release---wg-need-to-put-money-where-its-mouth-is-to-protect-poorest-from-welfare-impacts.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/cuts-watch-cymru-press-release---wg-need-to-put-money-where-its-mouth-is-to-protect-poorest-from-welfare-impacts.cfmWed, 11 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru, the body representing not-for-profit housing associations in Wales, has today called for a new affordable housing target of at least 8,000 units for the period up to 2015. Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive said: ‘A year on from the One Wales target of 6,500 affordable homes, which the housing sector met and exceeded by 23%, we need a new affordable housing target to focus minds and resources. Whilst it won’t be possible given public spending cuts and a challenging lending environment to meet the 5,000 homes needed every year according to the Holman report, we need to do as much as we can to meet the high level of need – need which is likely to grow given the economic downturn and cuts in welfare http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-affordable-housing-target-needed.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-affordable-housing-target-needed.cfmTue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMT Today, the Minister for Environment and Sustainable development, John Griffiths AM, will meet with representatives from Family Housing and Community Housing Cymru on a site visit to see how the Arbed programme in Wales is making a big difference to local communities.   Arbed meaning ‘Save’ is a £30m Welsh Government initative aimed at improving the energy efficiency of hard to heat homes, tackling climate change and boosting economic development and regeneration.   The ARBED  phase 1 portfolio levered an additional £31m, with 20m being invested by social housing providers and local authorities and around £10m from energy companies. Phase 1, which was predominately delivered by housing associhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/minister-john-griffiths-am-visits-arbed-funded-project.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/minister-john-griffiths-am-visits-arbed-funded-project.cfmFri, 23 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT Additional £10bn cuts by 2016http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chancellor-announces-further-welfare-cuts.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chancellor-announces-further-welfare-cuts.cfmWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT Moneyline has reached the finals in the Responsible Lender of the Year category at the Credit Today Awards 2012. The winner will be announced on 10 May.  The full list of finalists will be publicised on the Credit Today Awards website and Credit Today website before the end of the month.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-reaches-finals-in-the-responsible-lender-of-the-year-category.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-reaches-finals-in-the-responsible-lender-of-the-year-category.cfmWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT CHC’s money advice project has been announced as a finalist in the Credit Today Awards 2012 Money Advice Initiative category. The winner will be announced on 10 May at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. The money advice project currently provides advice from Moneyline Cymru outlets in South East Wales.  www.credittodayawards.co.uk  http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-money-advice-project-is-a-finalist-in-credit-today-awards-2012.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-money-advice-project-is-a-finalist-in-credit-today-awards-2012.cfmWed, 21 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT Ministers are this afternoon holding a meeting in the Senedd  to discuss their concerns regarding the impact of the Welfare Reform Act in Wales.  Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of CHC has been invited to attend as part of a small audience to explain how the newly introduced Act will impact on the social housing sector in Wales. The following Ministers will be present: Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews; Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Huw Lewis; Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, Huw Lewis & Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant. There will be an update in the next edition of Cartref and in e-briefing at the end of the week.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-join-welfare-reform-discussion-in-cardiff-bay.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-join-welfare-reform-discussion-in-cardiff-bay.cfmMon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/loserville---tonight-at-10pm.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/loserville---tonight-at-10pm.cfmTue, 06 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT Celebrating Real Leaders in Wales – the 2012 Leading Wales Awards The clock is ticking and time is running out to complete your 2012 Leading Wales Awards nomination for that special person you know whose leadership is making a real difference in Wales. There are 8 different categories for you to choose from. Help us identify, recognise and celebrate great leadership in Wales. The Welsh Social Enterprise Coalition are sponsoring the award for a leader in social enterprise so please nominate anyone you feel deserves some recognition.  The extended deadline for the submission of all nominations is now 5pm on Monday March 12th Download your nomination form at www.leadingwalesawards.com and send all completed forms to leadingwalehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/nominate-a-social-enterprise-leader-in-the-2012-leading-wales-awards.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/nominate-a-social-enterprise-leader-in-the-2012-leading-wales-awards.cfmTue, 06 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Welfare Reform Bill is set to become law, as it completed its passage through Parliament last night in the House of Lords. The bill will now be sent for royal assent, after Welfare Minister Lord Freud pledged a study to track the effects of the bedroom tax on under-occupancy, once the policy has been implemented. Community Housing Cymru will continue to work with our members, Welsh Government, and partners under the Cuts Watch Cymru banner, to inform and prepare social housing tenants in Wales about these changes, and to understand the full implications of the reforms. We will be publishing the third in our series of briefings on Welfare Reform in the coming days.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-bill-passed-by-lords.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-bill-passed-by-lords.cfmThu, 01 Mar 2012 09:00:00 GMT Cuts Watch Cymru – a coalition of leading poverty charities and voluntary organisations in Wales including Community Housing Cymru – have today (Tuesday 28 February) issued a united warning call that more than one in four people in Wales will be affected by the reform of welfare benefits. This warning call comes with the launch of the first report of its kind by seventeen agencies working on the front-line of poverty in Wales. The report finds that the challenges for Wales could be the most momentous for a generation. The Cuts Watch Cymru report – Wales on the Edge – highlights that almost all people who currently receive some sort of Government benefit, whether it is universal benefits such as Winter Fuel Allowance http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-on-the-edge---a-report-by-cuts-watch-cymru.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-on-the-edge---a-report-by-cuts-watch-cymru.cfmTue, 28 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Government struck another blow to vulnerable social housing tenants yesterday, as they overturned Lord Best’s amendment protecting at risk groups from the bedroom tax on under-occupation. MPs voted by a margin of 316 to 263 – a majority of 53 - to reject the Lords'' compromise amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill. The bill remains at the ‘ping-pong’ stage, and will now be sent back to the House of Lords for further consideration. Alongside this, two Welsh MPs – Jenny Willott (Cardiff Central) and Stephen Crabb (Preseli Pembrokeshire) will form part of the committee that must justify the use of the ‘financial privilege’ convention by MPs to overturn amendments made by the House of Lords. CHC willhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/mps-overturn-peers-bedroom-tax-amendment-again.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/mps-overturn-peers-bedroom-tax-amendment-again.cfmWed, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT Caerphilly Council tenants have voted to reject a proposal that would have seen their homes transferred to a new community housing mutual, Castell Mynydd. In the secret ballot, 66.7% of tenants voted, 65.2% were against and 34.8% in favour of the transfer proposal. Tenants were due to vote on the transfer of the council’s 10,980 houses to social landlord Castell Mynydd in November 2011. But in October 2011, Caerphilly County Borough Council revealed that is could match the £173 million needed to upgrade and maintain its properties to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) but not within the given five year period but by 2019/2020 - two years later.  It had previously stated the only way to bring the homes up to the Welshhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/caerphilly-tenants-vote-no-to-stock-transfer.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/caerphilly-tenants-vote-no-to-stock-transfer.cfmMon, 20 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT This conference – the first arranged as part of a three-year project by a partnership of the Wales Governance Centre, IWA and Cymru Yfory – asks whether we can break through the geographical, political and media barriers that typically constrain debates over constitutional relationships within the United Kingdom. Please see the flyer below for further information.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-and-the-changing-union-conference-cardiff-30-march.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-and-the-changing-union-conference-cardiff-30-march.cfmFri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-response-to-housing-bill-consultation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-response-to-housing-bill-consultation.cfmFri, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT CHC have announced a new series of masterclasses in conjunction with Central Consultancy & Training. The new series is designed for Chairs and experienced board members who wish to undertake some continuing professional development. Each Masterclass is led by a senior consultant with solid experience and recognised expertise. They are high level, fast paced and stimulating to take part in. Each Masterclass will last 2 hours. For further information, please see the attachments below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-board-member-masterclasses-in-conjunction-with-central-consultancy--training.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-board-member-masterclasses-in-conjunction-with-central-consultancy--training.cfmThu, 16 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-money-advisers-gear-up-for-ymca-sleep-easy-event.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-money-advisers-gear-up-for-ymca-sleep-easy-event.cfmWed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT The government suffered another defeat in the House of Lords last night, with an amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill passed, which would exempt certain vulnerable groups from the penalty if they have a spare room and there is no other suitable alternative accommodation available. This amendment would mean disabled people, war widows or widowers, foster carers and those not subject to work-related requirements would not have to pay the penalty until they have been offered suitable accommodation and refused it. The bill will return to the House of Commons next week, with the government likely to overturn this amendment.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/lords-defeat-government-on-under-occupation-again.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/lords-defeat-government-on-under-occupation-again.cfmWed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT Team Triskele is made up of three members of the Community Housing Cymru team: Phillipa Knowles, Rhian Robinson and Claire McDougall. This year they will be taking part in the London to Paris 2012 bike ride for Homeless International. Homeless International supports slum dwellers in Africa and Asia to improve their lives and find lasting solutions to urban poverty. There are currently over 1 billion people living in slums and without urgent action this is only set to increase.  The bike ride will take place from 26-30 September 2012. On this trip they will encounter 4 days of relentless cycling to reach the final destination in Paris - a colossal 271 miles from start to finish! The team will be cyclinhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/london-to-paris-phillipa-rhian-and-claire-from-chc-take-up-the-challenge.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/london-to-paris-phillipa-rhian-and-claire-from-chc-take-up-the-challenge.cfmFri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT The Community Housing Cymru Group has welcomed the Finance Minister Jane Hutt’s announcement that the Welsh Government is commited to funding capital projects in Wales. She published the Second Supplementary Budget for 2011-12 yesterday and announced the following: £19.6m into the ‘Increase the Supply and Choice of Housing’ Action £1,5m of Centrally Retained Capital Funding into the ‘Enable People to Live Independent Lives’ Action for additions to the Disabled Facilities Grant; £20m into the ‘Implementation of Strategic Regeneration Areas’ The social housing sector has a major role to play in building sustainable Welsh Communities and the CHC Group are today repeating their call tohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-welcome-additional-capital-but-remind-welsh-government-that-more-needs-to-be-done.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-welcome-additional-capital-but-remind-welsh-government-that-more-needs-to-be-done.cfmWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/bedroom-tax-unfair-and-will-penalise-most-vulnerable.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/bedroom-tax-unfair-and-will-penalise-most-vulnerable.cfmThu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru offer a number of opportunities to organisations to engage with our members. Exhibiting at our events can help you generate new leads, build relationships with new and existing customers, and also raise brand awareness. You could also take advantage of our sponsorship packages - we give our conference sponsors maximum visibility throughout the conference from pre event publicity, on site signage, acknowledgements in the conference programme and opening address. For further information about exhibiting or sponsoring at any of CHC’s events, please contact Rhian Robinson, Events Programme Co-ordinator on Rhian-robinson@chcymru.org.uk or 029 2055 7413, or download the flyer below. <!-- .............................http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/commercial-opportunities-2012.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/commercial-opportunities-2012.cfmThu, 26 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT Wednesday 25 January On Friday 27 January we’ll be hosting an online discussion looking at the upcoming Housing Bill. CHC will be submitting a response to the consultation (closing date 17 February) and would like to use this discussion forum to highlight the key components we’d like to see in the Bill and to get your input into the consultation. The discussion will run from 12 until 2pm, when members of the CHC Group Policy team will be online to gather your views and answer any questions you may have. Our draft consultation response will be published later today, and you’ll have a chance to digest it before the discussion. Please feel free to contribute before 27 January if you are unavailable on that particular dathttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/the-housing-bill---have-your-say.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/the-housing-bill---have-your-say.cfmWed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-green-deal-consultation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-green-deal-consultation.cfmFri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT Department for Work and Pensions have announced the names of the Local authority and housing association partnerships which are the successful volunteers the Government plans to work with on pioneering demonstration projects that will see claimants in the social rented sector directly receiving monthly housing benefit payments and paying rent to landlords themselves for the first time. Lord David Freud, welfare reform minister, said: ‘Direct monthly benefits payments are a key part of universal credit, allowing claimants to prepare for the financial responsibilities they will face when in work and to encourage them to move away from often costly weekly and fortnightly budgeting.’ The demonstration projects, which will take placehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/direct-payment-pilots-announced.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/direct-payment-pilots-announced.cfmThu, 19 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT The final dates for debate over the Welfare Reform Bill have been scheduled in the House of Lords. The Report Stage will now finish before the end of January, with the 3rd and final reading of the bill in the Lords on January 31st. The bill will then return to the Commons for its final debate and voting in the first weeks of February.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-update.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-update.cfmWed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT Sharing Good Practice: Housing and Regeneration South Wales: 6 February 2012 (Liberty Stadium, Swansea) North Wales: 15 February 2012 (Venue Cymru, Llandudno) 10:15 – 3:30 (Refreshments: 9:45)   The Welsh Local Government Association , in partnership with Community Housing Cymru , the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales is pleased to provide you with a Programme and Registration Form to accompany the above events. Grateful if details of these events could also be forwarded to colleagues within your organisation, who would find them of interest.   Additional information: For directions and car parking details, please visit the following website pages: Liberty Stadium, Swansea Venue http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/sharing-good-practice-housing-and-regeneration.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/sharing-good-practice-housing-and-regeneration.cfmTue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT It’s Big Energy Week this week and with over 320,000 people in Wales believed to be living in fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of their household income on fuel), money advisors at Moneyline outlets in Wales will be on hand to offer customers free independent financial advice on how to save energy and cut the cost of their fuel bills. Over a three month period, advisors at Moneyline outlets advised a total of 360 customers, identified almost five thousand pounds in energy rebates and provided over thirty thousand pounds in budgeting tips. All advisors have been trained to identify and help complete Warm Homes Discount (WHD) applications – a rebate of £120 given by the big six energy suppliers. The discount came into fohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/would-you-like-120-towards-your-fuel-bills-next-month-find-out-if-youre-entitled-during-big-energy-week-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/would-you-like-120-towards-your-fuel-bills-next-month-find-out-if-youre-entitled-during-big-energy-week-.cfmTue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT A report by the Wales Audit Office has been launched today to review social Landlords’ performance in achieving the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. The findings show that in terms of overall compliance with the standard 78% of housing association homes (including the recent stock transfers) can meet the standard by 2012/13. The results for housing associations show that for those associations working to the 2012 deadline,  86% of their homes are likely to meet the standard by 2012/13. By 2016/17 performance will have reached 98% for all RSL’s. All five of the housing associations with an extended deadline for meeting the standard until 2014/15 will have 100% of their homes meeting the standard across all of the key componenhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-audit-office-report-launched-progress-towards-whqs.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/wales-audit-office-report-launched-progress-towards-whqs.cfmFri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT 12th January 2012 Community Housing Cymru has welcomed the three amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill, passed by the House of Lords last night (11th Jan), and is urging peers to continue their scrutiny and amending of the bill, to protect the most vulnerable in society.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/three-further-defeats-for-government-on-welfare-reform.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/three-further-defeats-for-government-on-welfare-reform.cfmFri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT A message from Welsh Government Knowledge and Analytical Services of the Welsh Government are consulting on changes to existing social housing sales data collections. The purpose of this consultation is to seek users’ views on proposals for:  Changes to the data items collected on social housing sales and to the accompanying definitions; The use of publications on social housing sales. Your contributions will help us to understand the impact these changes could have on the individuals and organisations that use these statistics. The outcome of this consultation will inform our decision as to whether these changes can be implemented. This is in line with the Official Statistics Code of Practice which states that effective user enghttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/message-from-welsh-government---changes-to-existing-social-housing-sales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/message-from-welsh-government---changes-to-existing-social-housing-sales.cfmFri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT TENDERING OPPORTUNITY Community Housing Cymru is seeking to engage a consultant or consultancy team to deliver an independent summative evaluation of its money advice service, which is funded by the Big Lottery. The data will be used to inform future funders of the service. The evaluation will go ahead pending a successful funding application. The evaluation of the money advice project will examine the wider, longer term benefits of providing money advice at the point of a loan application and also provide continuity and improvement in key areas of work.  Deadline for expressions of interest: 30 th January 2012   Expressions of interest to: clare-williams@chcymru.org.ukhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/tendering-opportunity---evaluation-of-chcs-money-advice-service.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/tendering-opportunity---evaluation-of-chcs-money-advice-service.cfmWed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT 15 December 2011 The House of Lords voted yesterday (Wednesday 14 Dec) to accept Lord Best’s amendment scrapping Iain Duncan-Smith’s ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupancy. Peers voted by 258 votes to 190 in support of the amendment, which will allow tenants to receive full housing benefit allowance, providing they have no more than one spare room, or if no other suitable alternative accommodation is available. CHC along with the National Housing Federation and other charities have been lobbying hard to have to see this amendment passed - 40,000 people in Wales are deemed to be under occupying their properties.  The House of Commons must now vote on whether to accept this amendment, as well as any others madhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/under-occupation-amendment-passed.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/under-occupation-amendment-passed.cfmThu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT 12th December 2011 Lords’ Last Chance to Improve Welfare Reform Bill CHC urge Welsh Lords to Back crucial amendment Welsh members of the House of Lords are being urged to back a crucial amendment which will prevent thousands of Welsh tenants being unfairly penalised, as the Welfare Reform Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Lords today (Monday 12 th December 2011). CHC is urging all Welsh Lords to back Lord Best’s amendment on ‘under-occupation’ of properties. The amendment would ensure that under occupation is defined in line with existing guidance, which states that homes should be allocated on the basis of the ‘Bedroom Standard plus one’. Under this definition , under –occupation occurs onlhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-urge-welsh-lords-to-back-crucial-amendment.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-urge-welsh-lords-to-back-crucial-amendment.cfmTue, 13 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/minister-outlines-new-regulatory-framework-for-housing-associations-in-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/minister-outlines-new-regulatory-framework-for-housing-associations-in-wales.cfmWed, 07 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru and CIH Cymru are calling on the Welsh Government to allocate £122.5m from the £216m Capital spending pot as outlined in the Chancellor’s autumn statement today, with the message: ‘Use the social housing sector to reinvigorate the Welsh Economy’. They are calling on the Welsh Government to give back the amount that was cut from Social Housing Grant in the comprehensive spending review – the grant used by social housing providers to build new affordable homes. Not only would this additional funding provide a boost to the creation of much needed affordable homes, it would support jobs and apprenticeships at a time of record unemployment across Wales. £122.5m of investment couldhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-sector-calls-for-122-5m-from-welsh-governments-capital-pot.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-sector-calls-for-122-5m-from-welsh-governments-capital-pot.cfmWed, 30 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru has welcomed the announcement from Welsh Government today that they will invest over £18m in housing in Wales through their economic stimulus package. The announcement comes following calls from CHC, the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru and Shelter Cymru to invest this money in social housing, to ease the social housing waiting list and stimulate the Welsh economy. The £18m in additional money amounts to nearly 50% of the total £38.9m handed to Wales as a consequential of the UK Government freezing council tax in England. The announcement will see a total of £6m invested in the Ely Mill Housing Project in Cardiff over the next two years, £9.26m in delivering 130 affordable homes acrohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-economic-stimulus-announcement.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-economic-stimulus-announcement.cfmMon, 28 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT At a time when private investment is scarce and public purse strings are being continually stretched, Welsh Housing Associations increased their investment by an estimated 15% last year - a massive feat given the current climate. The figures which highlight the contribution housing associations have made to the Welsh economy in 2010/2011 are contained in a report by the Welsh Economic Research Unit, commissioned by Community Housing Cymru, and will be launched at CHC’s Annual Conference later today.   Housing associations are about so much more than bricks and mortar and are having a greater impact on the Welsh economy than ever before. Last year they spent an estimated £802 million, up 16% from last year – with http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-associations-increase-investment-by-over-15-in-201011.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-associations-increase-investment-by-over-15-in-201011.cfmWed, 23 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Cardiff''s Moneyline Cymru outlet celebrated its second birthday recently. It has been a busy 2 years for the outlet - you can read progress reports on the loans and money advice received by customers below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cymru-cardiff-celebrates-second-birthday---what-has-been-achieved.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cymru-cardiff-celebrates-second-birthday---what-has-been-achieved.cfmWed, 23 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Moneyline Cymru Cardiff celebrated their 2 nd birthday today, attended by Mark Drakeford AM, Cardiff Councillors, representative from the social housing sector and the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit.  Moneyline Cymru Cardiff is a not-for-profit fair lender, providing affordable loans to people who can’t access affordable credit elsewhere. By December 2011 Moneyline Cardiff will have completed 2,000 loans, loaning a total of £1m, and opened 1,000 savings accounts, where customers have saved a cumulative total of £36,000. CHC provide money advice from the Cardiff branch of Moneyline Cymru, which was launched earlier this year. It ensures customers get instant, independent, on the spot advice and is already having a mahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cardiff-celebrate-2-years-in-operation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cardiff-celebrate-2-years-in-operation.cfmThu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT There are currently vacancies available for Independent Members of the Supporting People National Advisory Board - please follow the link and attachments below for further information.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/supporting-people-national-advisory-board---independent-members.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/supporting-people-national-advisory-board---independent-members.cfmThu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Shelter Cymru says the number of people needing its help because they are threatened by home repossession has risen by 300% in the last three years. Blaenau Gwent was the country''s worst area for repossession orders followed by Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly. Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: “The figures from Shelter Cymru are very worrying, showing particular pressure in the South Wales Valleys. We know that the Welsh Government’s capital budget has been cut but the demand for affordable housing is continuing to grow. We need to ensure that there is more investment in affordable housing to meet the growing need; this should include a sustainable rent system which allowhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-300-rise-in-home-repossession-help.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-300-rise-in-home-repossession-help.cfmThu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT We are currently offering a 6 month work placement based in our Central Services Team which will provide you with the skills, experience and confidence needed to get back into work, in conjunction with a project that is being run with Cadwyn Housing Association.  Please see the link below for further details.<o:p></o:p>    http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/engagement-gateway---work-experience-and-volunteering-opportunities-in-social-housing.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/engagement-gateway---work-experience-and-volunteering-opportunities-in-social-housing.cfmWed, 16 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT The latest update on the Welfare Benefit Reform is that the introduction of the universal credit is being delayed from October 2013 until April 2014 (new claims) and existing claimants ''around'' the end of 2015. Please note that universal credit will still be introduced in 2013; it is the migration of Housing Benefit claimants onto universal credit that has been delayed. Housing Benefit will still exist in October 2013 which is a change from the original proposal whereby it was going to be replaced by universal credit. The plan appears to be to transfer IS, JSA and ESA claimants first. October 2013 – Universal Credit Will housing benefit cease to exist from October 2013? No – Department for Work and Pensions have annohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/update-on-welfare-benefit-reform.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/update-on-welfare-benefit-reform.cfmTue, 15 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT The full response summary for the Welsh Government consultation covering proposed changes to some of their housing data collections has now been published including the decisions made in relation to these proposals and the next steps. Full details are available at the following link:http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-data-collections-consultation---welsh-government.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-data-collections-consultation---welsh-government.cfmThu, 10 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-offer-new-social-enterprise-membership-category.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-offer-new-social-enterprise-membership-category.cfmThu, 10 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Nick Bennett, CHC Group Chief Executive, and Peter Cahill, Chair of CHC, gave evidence to the National Assembly for Wales Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee on 9 November regarding the inquiry into the provision of affordable housing. Our consultation response can be viewed below:http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-give-evidence-to-communities-equality-and-local-government-committee.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-give-evidence-to-communities-equality-and-local-government-committee.cfmWed, 09 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC have produced a Briefing Paper on the changes to the Feed in Tariffs which are currently being consulted on until 23 December. If you have any comments on the changes and how they will affect your organisation, please contact aaron-hill@chcymru.org.ukhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-publish-briefing-paper-on-changes-to-fits.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-publish-briefing-paper-on-changes-to-fits.cfmTue, 08 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Join us for Cardiff Moneyline Cymru’s 2 nd Anniversary Canton Library, Cowbridge Road East 11:30am – 12:30pm 17 November 2011 Please come and join us on 17 November at the Cardiff Moneyline Cymru branch to celebrate 2 years of fair lending in Cardiff.  Find out how Moneyline Cymru in partnership with local Social Registered Landlords and Community Housing Cymru are tackling financial inclusion in Cardiff by providing: Affordable credit Savings Bank accounts Money advice Financial capability guidance Speakers: Nigel Draper, Moneyline Cymru; Nick Bennett, Community Housing Cymru; Lucia Gillespie and Elizabeth Emmons, Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit. A light buffet will be provided. Please RSVP to  clare-williams@chcymruhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/join-us-for-cardiff-moneyline-cymrus-second-anniversary.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/join-us-for-cardiff-moneyline-cymrus-second-anniversary.cfmThu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Gofal Enterprises Ltd (GEL) is the trading subsidiary of Gofal, and they are looking to recruit two Independent Non Exec Directors to join their board. The advert and a short recruitment pack can be downloaded from the links below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/gofal-enterprises-ltd-look-to-recruit-two-independent-non-exec-directors.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/gofal-enterprises-ltd-look-to-recruit-two-independent-non-exec-directors.cfmThu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Housing adaptations alone could save £46 million* from NHS and Social Service budget this year The Community Housing Cymru Group is urging the Welsh Government to use the Social housing Sector in Wales to help deliver better health outcomes as outlined in ‘Together for Health’, the five year vision for the NHS in Wales.  Findings from a recent report by the Kafka Brigade UK, commissioned by the CHC group, suggest that there are a number of opportunities for the social housing sector to support health outcomes – particularly meeting the needs of Wales’ ageing society. The CHC group are now calling on the Health Minister to give a strategic signal that collaboration between health and housing is an expected http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-call-on-health-minister-to-use-social-housing-sector-to-deliver-better-outcomes.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-group-call-on-health-minister-to-use-social-housing-sector-to-deliver-better-outcomes.cfmThu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT Proposed cuts will have serious implications for Social housing providers in Wales The UK Government has today launched a consultation which includes proposals to cut the feed in tariff (FIT) levels available for solar panel installations from 43.3p per kWh to 21p per kWh.  The consultation also proposes changes to those who would have their installations classed as ‘aggregated schemes’ that would only be eligible for 80 per cent of the payment – 16.8p/kWh. These changes would affect the viability of photovoltaic schemes being developed by social landlords and any scheme completed after 12 December will be subject to the overall reduction in payments, with the extra aggregation drop coming in from April 2012. Housing http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/uk-government-consult-on-proposals-to-cut-solar-feed-in-tariffs.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/uk-government-consult-on-proposals-to-cut-solar-feed-in-tariffs.cfmMon, 31 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT   Moneyline Cymru, Wales’ premier fair lending provider, is one of four outstanding finalists in the Guardian Social Enterprise Awards 2011 after judges decided that it has the potential to scale up and make an even bigger impact on the communities it serves. The finalists will be showcased at the Guardian Social Enterprise 2011 summit where delegates will vote for the winner. Nigel Draper, Chair of Moneyline Cymru said, ''''We are delighted that the Guardian has recognised our ambition and real potential to scale the business up. We are at a crucial stage in our expansion in Wales so to make it to the finals is timely. We have over 200,000 people borrowing from doorstep lenders in Wales and more worryingly, over 21,000 peophttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cymru-shortlisted-for-social-enterprise-award.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cymru-shortlisted-for-social-enterprise-award.cfmFri, 28 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT A Health and Housing Conference organised by the GENuS Consortium and the Aneurin Bevan Health Board will take place on Thursday 3 November at the Christchurch Centre in Malpas, Newport. The event will provide an opportunity to explore existing and required links across health, social care and housing with the aim of identifying joint service development and delivery improvements for the benefit of service users. Nick Bennett, CHC’s Chief Executive, will be speaking at the event, as well as Huw Lewis AM. Please see the documents below for further information.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/health-and-housing-conference---3-november.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/health-and-housing-conference---3-november.cfmFri, 28 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Community Housing Cymru Group has opened its first group office in North Wales. The presence in Parc Menai, Bangor, will ensure all three organisations in the group structure promote sustainable and integrated housing, care and regeneration activities that will enable them to deliver their objectives more effectively, bringing the potential for reinvesting efficiency savings into services that will benefit the people of North Wales. The CHC group was formed in July 2010 and is made up of parent organisation Community Housing Cymru, the membership body for housing associations in Wales, and subsidiaries Care & Repair Cymru, the national body to help older people remain living independently in their own home and CREW – the Centrhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/collaborating-for-local-communities---first-group-office-opened-in-north-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/collaborating-for-local-communities---first-group-office-opened-in-north-wales.cfmWed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC is supporting the BBC’s ‘Go On – Give an Hour Campaign’ to encourage the millions of internet users in Wales to give an hour to help friends, neighbours and customers who have never used the internet before to get online. ‘Go On - Give an Hour’ takes place over the weekend of 29/30 October when the clocks go back. Everyone in Wales has an extra hour on that day, so sign up now to give an hour to transform someone else’s life. To join up to be a digital champion, log on to www.go-on.co.uk and don’t forget to let us know what you’re pledging via Twitter @CHCymru.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/go-on---give-an-hour-campaign.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/go-on---give-an-hour-campaign.cfmTue, 25 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT We all want to remain living independently in our own homes as we become older, yet finding the right help, support and advice for adapting our homes can be confusing and difficult. That’s why Care & Repair Cymru along with the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Age Cymru and the College of Occupational Therapists are today launching a campaign to ensure older people and their families and representatives have clear information about the support that is available for housing adaptations and repairs. The Campaign will see 40,000 leaflets delivered to doctor’s surgeries, libraries, Care & Repair agencies, Age Cymru clients and other partners across Wales and will contain information on what assistance is availablhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/accessible-information---key-to-independent-living.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/accessible-information---key-to-independent-living.cfmWed, 19 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru (CHC) has challenged the four parties in Wales to support affordable housing by calling on them to invest the additional £40million – made available as a consequence of the UK Government’s decision to freeze council tax in England - into affordable housing. Having written a letter to Carwyn Jones AM, Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of CHC commented: “Show me another sector which can demonstrate delivery, job impact, social justice, immediacy and the ability to impact on communities across Wales.” Speaking during Plenary last week, the First Minister stated that there would be difficulties funding projects that required funding over a longer term than one year that would require http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/38-9m-extra-in-welsh-budget-chc-challenge-welsh-government-to-invest-in-social-housing-sector-to-stimulate-economy.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/38-9m-extra-in-welsh-budget-chc-challenge-welsh-government-to-invest-in-social-housing-sector-to-stimulate-economy.cfmWed, 19 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT It is the first birthday of our website today - we launched it exactly a year ago! Do you have any feedback on the website, a year on? If so, please contact bethan-samuel@chcymru.org.uk Later today, we''ll be publishing some statistics to show the impact the website has had over the last year... watch this space!http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/happy-first-birthday-to-the-website.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/happy-first-birthday-to-the-website.cfmMon, 17 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT Welfare Action Week is well under way. Amanda Oliver, Head of Policy and Research, outlines our concerns and the amendments we’ve called for... Welsh Housing Associations are backing Community Housing Cymru’s Welfare Action Week campaign to force a rethink of the UK government’s controversial proposals around cuts to housing benefit. The Social Housing sector believe the proposals outlined in the Welfare Reform Bill will push thousands of Welsh people into hardship; force many families to relocate, potentially miles away from their child’s school, support networks or place of work; be damaging to community life  and increase homelessness in Wales. The Welfare Reform Bill is currently being discussed at the Commihttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-action-week---wythnos-gweithredu-lles.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-action-week---wythnos-gweithredu-lles.cfmFri, 14 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Delivering Regeneration Conference will take place on Thursday 3 November in Cardiff''s County Hall. The Conference has been organised by Regeneration Skills Collective Wales and is supported by the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW). For further information or to book your place, please see the links below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/delivering-regeneration-conference---3-november-2011.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/delivering-regeneration-conference---3-november-2011.cfmThu, 13 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT It’s Welfare Action Week (10-16 October) – Have you signed up to get involved? Over the coming week CHC along with the other housing federations in the UK are urging members to help campaign against damaging welfare reforms. We have put together an action pack containing all the information you need to shout about the unfairness of these proposals and how they’ll impact on your tenants including a draft press release, letter to Lord Freud and information for your tenants. Have you signed up to get involved? Download your action pack now and let us know what action you are taking.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/its-welfare-action-week.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/its-welfare-action-week.cfmMon, 10 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT We''re really excited about our Housing Management and Maintenance UNConference which takes place on 6/7 October at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells! What exactly is an UNConference, and what are the rules associated with it...?http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-management-and-maintenance---rules-of-the-unconference.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-management-and-maintenance---rules-of-the-unconference.cfmWed, 05 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT 15 September People in Wales will now have broader access to rented houses across Wales as four housing associations join forces to deliver affordable homes through a pilot project with support from the Welsh Government and Principality Building Society.  This exciting and innovative venture sees Coastal Group, Hendre Group, Seren Group and Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd work together to buy affordable homes for people to rent under one banner, the Welsh Housing Partnership *.  These housing associations based at Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Denbigh in north Wales have a combined turnover of £100million and manage nearly 18,000 homes. The aim of the new project, the Welsh Housing Partnership, is to increase the supply of quality affohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-partnership-formed-to-make-renting-affordable-homes-in-wales-one-step-easier.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-partnership-formed-to-make-renting-affordable-homes-in-wales-one-step-easier.cfmTue, 04 Oct 2011 09:00:00 GMT “Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.” “If we are to believe the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s quote then we must hope that there are many geniuses in Wales,” said Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Group, following the anticipated launch of the Programme for Government by First Minister Carwyn Jones today. CHC welcomed the pledge from Welsh Government to increase the supply of affordable housing, but regrets the lack of a specific supply-based target. In 2007, the One Wales Coalition Government challenged housing associations in Wales to develop 6,500 homes over four years but the sector smashed that target by 23%, developing a further 2,000 hohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-response-to-the-programme-for-government.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-response-to-the-programme-for-government.cfmTue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC''s Housing Management and Maintenance UNConference takes place on 6/7 October at the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells. This event will be totally different to anything we''ve done before! The Metropole Hotel is now full, but we still have places in outreach hotels and for day delegates. Please see the link below to see the full programme, download a booking form or to book online: http://chcymru.org.uk/chc_dev_final/events/en/events_home.cfm?mainpagelet=eventDetails&event_uuid=EC072382-CF0C-4715-811C-FD361ED2568F&day_index=40822http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-management-and-maintenance-unconference---next-week.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-management-and-maintenance-unconference---next-week.cfmTue, 27 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT Getting ahead together - Connecting Cardiff and the Valleys 4 November 2011: City Hall, Cardiff This conference addresses the challenges facing Cardiff and its neighbouring local authorities in south east Wales as they struggle to come to terms with the often contradictory pressures they face. These include the economic recession, public expenditure cuts, a looming housing crisis, climate change, transport congestion as well as the traditional social and political antipathy between the Welsh capital and the Valleys that has, paradoxically, gone hand in hand with their economic interdependence. Will the population of this embryonic city region, its civil society and its political leaders seize the opportunity to re-imagine the region, or wilhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/getting-ahead-together---connecting-cardiff-and-the-valleys.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/getting-ahead-together---connecting-cardiff-and-the-valleys.cfmMon, 26 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT Tenants from a number of Welsh Housing Associations travelled to London yesterday to deliver a petition against the proposed changes to the Welfare Reform Bill which was being discussed by Peers in the House of Lords yesterday afternoon. The petition, which was accepted by Lord Touhig, was the first petition to be presented before the house in over a decade. The aim of the petition is to raise awareness of the concerns of Community Housing Cymru and other Welsh Charities and to urge Peers to call on the UK Government to reconsider the cuts. Community Housing Cymru have also drafted a list of amendments they’d like to see made to the Bill before it gets Royal Assent and will be lobbying the Lords with these amendments in the http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-tenants-get-on-a-bus----to-deliver-a-petition-to-the-house-of-lords.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-tenants-get-on-a-bus----to-deliver-a-petition-to-the-house-of-lords.cfmWed, 14 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT Eleven years ago, Community Housing Cymru set up an Award scheme to recognise housing innovation in memory of a special person - Pat Chown. Pat gave a big part of her life to helping others and spent much of her working life in helping to meet people''s housing needs in Wales. As a way of remembering Pat, her contribution to housing and her constant search for better ways of doing things, Community Housing Cymru is inviting entries for the Capturing Creativity Award. Please contact claire-mcdougall@chcymru.org.uk for further information, or see the attachments below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/capturing-creativity---pat-chown-award-2011.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/capturing-creativity---pat-chown-award-2011.cfmMon, 12 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC''s HR Conference takes place on 20 October at Cardiff''s Parc Thistle Hotel, and you can now book online! The conference promises to be a highly interactive and motivational event... 10 reasons not to miss it! 1. It’s a great conference 2. All your peers will be there 3. It’s in a central location 4. Find out where your HA placed in the HR Benchmarking survey 5. Main sessions are short and snappy 6. Workshops are functional and flexible 7. There’s a mix of HA and Non HA speakers 8. We listened to last year’s feedback – there’s loads of networking opportunities 9. All this fitted in to 8 hours of CPD            10. It’s excellent value &ndashhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/hr-conference-20-october---book-now.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/hr-conference-20-october---book-now.cfmFri, 09 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT Over the last month, CHC have been providing much needed money advice at each of the five Moneyline Cymru outlets in Cardiff, Bridgend, Pontypridd, Cwmbran and Newport. Over the month they’ve collectively advised 148 customers and have had the following successes: Identified £6,000 of unclaimed Housing Benefit Identified £20,000 of unclaimed Council Tax Benefit Identified £14,000 of unclaimed Welfare benefits Given budgeting tips worth £27,000 and 60 customers identified with Welsh Water arrears, a total of £49,500 could be written off via Bill Assistance   Partnerships The advice service is taking direct referrals from Moneyline Loan Officers and Welsh Water with discussions currently taking plhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/money-advice-making-a-real-difference.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/money-advice-making-a-real-difference.cfmThu, 08 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT According to the Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer “Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.”    In 2007, the One Wales Coalition Government challenged Housing Associations in Wales to develop 6,500 homes over four years – with the news this week that we’ve developed a further 2,000 homes in 2010/2011, we now know that we’ve not only hit the target but have exceeded it by a whopping 23% - building in excess of 8,000 new affordable homes over the four year period. But with over 90,000 people on social housing waiting lists in Wales and with massive cuts in social housing grant over the next 3 years, we know the challenges ahead are immense.  Earlier this wehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/original-thinking-may-find-ways-to-pay-for-the-houses-we-need---.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/original-thinking-may-find-ways-to-pay-for-the-houses-we-need---.cfmThu, 08 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT On 13 September the Welfare Reform bill gets its second reading in the House of Lords. It is our intention to travel to London with tenants/service users and HA staff to hand over our petition against the proposed UK housing benefit cuts and we need your help. We will be presenting our petition to the House of Lords and using it as a photo opportunity on College Green but need ‘real people’ to come with us. We have been in touch with the National Housing Federation in England and the Scottish Federation to see if they’ll join us on the day to ensure that it’s a UK wide message to the UK Government. Can you please contact Edwina O’Hart ( edwina-ohart@chcymru.org.uk ) at your earliest convenience if you have any http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/calling-all-tenants.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/calling-all-tenants.cfmThu, 11 Aug 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC''s PR and Communications Conference takes place on 15 September in the Parc Thistle Hotel in Cardiff and promises to be an inspirational and jam-packed event with sessions on social enterprise, social media, tenant champions, engagement, a media panel, and much more. You can book online here . Alternatively, please see a booking form below along with a flyer which contains further information.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/pr-and-communications-conference---15-september.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/pr-and-communications-conference---15-september.cfmFri, 29 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT This year''s National Eisteddfod begins tomorrow (Saturday 30 July) and takes place in Wrexham. CHC are situated at stand 713/714 and will be sharing the stand with Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd and North Wales Housing. Please come along to the stand if you''re at the Eisteddfod for some tea, coffee, balloons, face painting, games and much more! We will be launching the new bilingual edition of Cartref on Wednesday 3 August at 2:30pm at the stand. Nick Bennett, Chief Executive, and Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board will be present. Cartref''s format has been changed in response to member feedback and to show our commitment to the Welsh language. We will be working with The Arts Factory for the next few editions, a social enterphttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-at-the-eisteddfod.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-at-the-eisteddfod.cfmFri, 29 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT Edwina O''Hart, Communications Manager at CHC, writes about her recent experience in Ethiopia... I recently got the opportunity to travel to Bonga – a small town located in the South West of Ethiopia.  Bonga is situated in Kaffa province, the birth place of coffee and contrary to my initial perceptions - very green and surrounded by rainforest. I was there during rainy season but was informed that during the summer months water is a very scarce commodity – a real problem considering 94% of local people have no running water and rely on untreated local springs and rivers.  People live in very poor conditions - their houses are usually mud huts with just one room which is often shared with animals. The staple diet is a thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/a-personal-journey---experiencing-social-enterprise-in-ethiopia.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/a-personal-journey---experiencing-social-enterprise-in-ethiopia.cfmFri, 29 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT A report launched today will highlight critical skills deficits in the professional services sector in Wales and the need to develop training provisions to achieve low carbon futures in Wales. Commissioned by the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW) and Construction Skills Wales (CSW), the report ‘ Low carbon skills for the regeneration and built environment professional services sector in Wales’   identifies and defines the skills and knowledge required to plan, design and construct new buildings and refurbish existing buildings to achieve the lowest possible carbon dioxide emissions.  These critical skills include design, energy, client, leadership and management and community skills. Professor Dave Adamsohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/skills-challenge-to-achieve-a-low-carbon-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/skills-challenge-to-achieve-a-low-carbon-wales.cfmTue, 26 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT We are very pleased to announce that in conjunction with Central Consultancy & Training we are able to offer a Governance Officers / Company Secretary Training Programme for 2011-12 and will be delivered by Stephanie Bamford.  The programme is made up of 6 modules which will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your role and help build your confidence in supporting your Board.  Each module can also stand alone so that the more experienced officers can attend only those that meet your needs.  On completion of the programme participants will receive a Certificate in Corporate Governance from the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners. Further details are included below along with a booking form.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/governance-officer--company-secretary-training-programme-2011-12.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/governance-officer--company-secretary-training-programme-2011-12.cfmFri, 22 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT We are pleased to announce another schedule of Board Member Training in conjunction with Central Consultancy & Training.  At the request of some of our members, we have scheduled the events to run on Fridays (10am-3pm). Further information is available on the attachments below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-board-member-training-courses.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-board-member-training-courses.cfmTue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT Please join us at Stand 713/714 at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham where we will be launching the first bilingual edition of Cartref, our magazine for the Welsh social housing sector. The launch will take place on Wednesday 3 August at 2:30pm. Nick Bennett, CHC''s Chief Executive and Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board will be present. We are excited about this new development and look forward to hearing your feedback. Please feel free to join us at the stand to hear more about the re-launch and to pick up a copy of Cartref!http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/re-launch-of-cartref-at-the-national-eisteddfod-in-wrexham.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/re-launch-of-cartref-at-the-national-eisteddfod-in-wrexham.cfmMon, 18 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Department of Work and Pensions have confirmed that the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill will now be held on the 13 th September and not July 19 as previously planned. A DWP spokesperson denied the bill has been delayed due to peers’ concerns about the impact of the reforms, saying the change of date is due to ‘other parliamentary business’. We believe these proposals will disproportionately affect those in greatest need, increase homelessness, drive people into debt and lead to greater long-term economic and social costs for housing associations, local authorities, taxpayers and the Government in Wales. One area that will be included in the bill is the restriction of Housing Benefit entitlement for social houhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-bill-second-reading-postponed-until-september.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welfare-reform-bill-second-reading-postponed-until-september.cfmMon, 18 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT On 19 July, the Welfare Reform Bill will receive its 2nd reading in the House of Lords. Community Housing Cymru, the membership body for housing associations in Wales, remains extremely concerned about the plans to cuts housing benefit which we believe will disproportionately affect those in greatest need, increase homelessness, drive people into debt and lead to greater long-term economic and social costs for housing associations, local authorities and the Government in Wales. We are urging you to support our sector’s campaign to call on the UK Government to reconsider these proposed cuts. Please see the example below on one of the impacts of the under occupation proposal: One Bedroom Under Occupation: A single parent with a 15 year http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-ams-mps-and-house-of-lords-receive-housing-benefit-briefing.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-ams-mps-and-house-of-lords-receive-housing-benefit-briefing.cfmFri, 15 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT No job, no money, no home - just a few of the realities faced by thousands of people in Wales today as the economic climate continues to bite – and the reason why 13 non-statutory organisations in Wales have joined forces to launch Cuts Watch Cymru today (Wednesday 13 July). With almost 700,000 people in Wales already living beneath the official poverty line, Cuts Watch Cymru has grave concerns that thousands more people across Wales will be plunged into poverty with the implementation of the biggest cuts in public spending and services for decades and a fundamental reform of the welfare system.   With one hundred percent increases in demand at welsh food banks in the past months and another charity noting a huge rise in mortgagehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/no-place-to-hide---cuts-watch-cymru-launched-to-keep-closer-eye-on-biting-cuts.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/no-place-to-hide---cuts-watch-cymru-launched-to-keep-closer-eye-on-biting-cuts.cfmWed, 13 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT Message from Paul Roberts, Chief Executive of Newydd HA:  Last weekend saw the start of the Tour de France and I am now training for my own Tour a France. Between 21 and 24 September 2011 a group of riders will be attempting the trip from Cardiff to Paris. The money we raise will support the invaluable work of Shelter Cymru which I am sure requires no explanation from me. As if the cycle ride was not a challenge enough for this 50-something part time cyclist the task of raising the minimum £1500 sponsorship is. This is why I am counting on your help and generosity to get me to that target so I can concentrate on staying upright and pedalling. If you can spare some cash I would be really grateful. Online donations can be made at: http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/le-tour-a-france-newydds-chief-executive-is-raising-money-for-shelter-cymru.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/le-tour-a-france-newydds-chief-executive-is-raising-money-for-shelter-cymru.cfmMon, 04 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT Moneyline Cymru, one of Wales’ leading providers of affordable loans to the poorest communities has today received a major boost from six of the UK’s largest businesses. The investment has been championed by the Chief Executive of the Social Business Trust, Adele Blakebrough, who lives in Cardiff and has been a member of the Welsh Government’s Social Enterprise Ministerial Board. Moneyline Cymru provides affordable loans as an alternative to loan-sharks and expensive door-step lenders from five high street outlets in South Wales, with a telephone service available in some areas including Carmarthenshire. In addition, Moneyline Cymru provides saving accounts and access to basic bank accounts for customers who would usually http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-affordable-loans-provider-receives-major-boost-from-uks-big-businesses.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-affordable-loans-provider-receives-major-boost-from-uks-big-businesses.cfmMon, 04 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT The ''Regenerating Rural Wales: Policy and Practice'' Conference has been jointly organised by the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW), Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the Welsh Government, and will take place on 7 July in Cefn Lea Park, Newtown. Please click on the links below to download the conference programme and a booking form.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/regenerating-rural-wales-conference.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/regenerating-rural-wales-conference.cfmWed, 29 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Welsh Government are currently assessing the viability of introducing a central data collection covering information on the social and economic profile of social housing tenants in Wales. A letter and background paper outlining the rationale behind this proposal is attached. In order to asses the feasibility and resource implications involved and to decide what data items should be included we would like to gather the views of all interested parties in particular local authorities and registered social landlords as data providers. The aim of this exercise is to assess the viability only and any final decision to introduce a central tenant profile data collection would be subject to a formal consultation. Below you will find a briefhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/consultation-on-tenant-profile-data-collection.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/consultation-on-tenant-profile-data-collection.cfmTue, 28 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT Our next online discussion focusing on the Housing Benefit reforms takes place next Tuesday from 2 until 4pm. The discussion will be facilitated by Richard McQuillan, Business Development Manager at Hafod Housing Association. Richard has over 20 years’ experience of working in social housing, in both local authority and housing association sectors.  Previously Richard worked for Cardiff Council and Wales & West HA before joining Hafod in 1997 as the Area Manager. In January 2009 Richard took up his new role as Hafod’s Business Development Manager being responsible for: home ownership, leasehold services, continuous improvement, performance, Yellow Wales, homeless leasing and Cartrefi Hafod Lettings Agency. For the last http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/online-discussion-on-housing-benefit-reform---28-june-2-4pm.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/online-discussion-on-housing-benefit-reform---28-june-2-4pm.cfmThu, 23 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC will be running a Twitter Breakfast Seminar on 25 July from 8:30 until 11am. We will cover all the basics and advise you on how to kick start your organisation''s social media presence. Further information is included on the flyer below. Places are limited to 16 so please send your booking form in early to avoid disappointment.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/twitter-breakfast-seminar---join-the-twitter-revolution.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/twitter-breakfast-seminar---join-the-twitter-revolution.cfmMon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT It has been announced by Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage that the Care & Repair movement in <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Wales</st1:country-region> is to receive new funding of £1.5 million for Independent Living Grants (ILG) to help older people in <st1:country-region w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> remain safe and well in their own homes. The £1.5million will be distributed to the twenty-two Care & Repair agencies in <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:country-region w:st='on'>Wales</st1:country-region></st1:place> and will be spent on home adaptations such as stair lifts and walk in showers . The objective of this grant is to help address ‘waiting lists&http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/funding-boost-to-help-older-people-remain-at-home.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/funding-boost-to-help-older-people-remain-at-home.cfmMon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT A Welsh programme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of hard to heat homes, tackling climate change and boosting economic development and regeneration within Wales is being used as an example of best practice at a Housing Europe Conference in Cardiff today hosted by Community Housing Cymru.  As well as highlighting examples of best practice from all over Europe, delegates, including representative from the European Commission and European Parliament will discuss how EU Structural Funds can play an important role in improving the quality of lives of hundreds of households in hundreds of neighbourhoods across Europe…. and  Wales is already leading the way! The Arbed programme, meaning ‘save’ was a £30mhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/arbed-programme-used-as-example-of-best-practice-in-europe----but-more-funding-is-needed-from-europe.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/arbed-programme-used-as-example-of-best-practice-in-europe----but-more-funding-is-needed-from-europe.cfmFri, 10 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT A social business that lends money to a customer largely ignored and unwanted by banks has scooped the prestigious “Credit Today: Responsible Lender of the Year (short term loans)” award at a glittering ceremony in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. In front of 1600 industry peers, Moneyline was recognised by the judges as the winner of the Cabot Financial sponsored award. ­ Moneyline has five high street outlets in South Wales whose aim is to provide affordable loans to people who can’t access mainstream financial services. The total number of completed loans in Wales has exceeded 4,000 with total lending to date exceeding £2million. More than 2,300 savings accounts have also been opened in Wales, with customhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/responsible-lender-of-the-year-award-for-moneyline.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/responsible-lender-of-the-year-award-for-moneyline.cfmTue, 17 May 2011 09:00:00 GMT In Wales 4,000 social housing tenants are deemed to be under occupying their property. Under the Welfare Reform Bill, the DWP plans to slash housing benefit for all tenants living in homes considered to be too large for their needs - even if they have lived there for decades! The DWP has suggested that households will see their benefit reduced - by up to 15% for those with one ''''spare'''' room and up to 25% for two or more ''''spare'''' rooms.  CHC anticipates that this will lead to claimants losing an average of £13 a week.    We already know that demand for social housing in Wales far outstrips supply and those properties that do become available are also in high demand from people on housing waihttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-tenants-in-wales-will-be-hit-hard-by-underoccupation-clause.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-tenants-in-wales-will-be-hit-hard-by-underoccupation-clause.cfmThu, 12 May 2011 09:00:00 GMT Asset Skills is launching a subsidised pilot programme for Home Energy Advice training in Wales and is inviting employers and candidates to take part. The programme is commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot Programme, which receives additional support from the European Social Fund. Once qualified, learners will be able to provide Home Energy Advice and build towards the skills needed for government initiatives such as the Green Deal and Arbed . Candidates will receive training and achieve the ABBE level 3 Energy Advice (Home) certificate with additional learning in Welsh Assembly Government low carbon schemes. There are currently 75 partially funded places available across three regions in Wales. http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/home-energy-advice-training---funding-available.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/home-energy-advice-training---funding-available.cfmWed, 11 May 2011 09:00:00 GMT Thousands of people across <st1:country-region w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> are set to use a computer and get online for the first time on Friday 20 th May – Digital Day! A series of special events is being organised for the day, to help more people in <st1:country-region w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region> enjoy the benefits of the internet and other forms of digital technology. Digital Day is part of Adult Learners’ Week. Staff from Communities 2.0 – the Welsh Assembly Government’s digital inclusion programme - will be among those, providing fun learning opportunities through Information Technology (IT). In some areas, Communities 2.0 has wohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/digital-day-2011---20th-may---the-day-wales-gets-online.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/digital-day-2011---20th-may---the-day-wales-gets-online.cfmTue, 10 May 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC will be hosting an online discussion focusing on social media on Wednesday afternoon from 2 until 4pm. John Popham, an independent facilitator who uses social media for public good, will facilitate the discussion. In recent years, John has been working at a senior level on Digital Skills strategy, Digital Inclusion, Public Sector transformation using technology, and the role of ICT in regeneration. His career also includes six years as Director of the South Yorkshire FE colleges’ consortium, and four years as European funding advisor to the FE colleges of Yorkshire & the Humber. Much of his earlier career was spent in the fields of community development and social enterprise, including two years as Chair of Community Enterprishttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/online-discussion-on-social-media---11th-may-2-4pm.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/online-discussion-on-social-media---11th-may-2-4pm.cfmMon, 09 May 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Community Housing Cymru Group, the not for profit membership body for social housing in Wales, is calling on the next Welsh Assembly Government to give social housing a greater economic prominence by locating housing policy in the broader Economic Development department. Peter Cahill, Chair of CHC said: “The next Welsh government needs to make housing a cabinet level responsibility - aligned with economic development. Critically this is the only area of major capital expenditure which is levering in so much private sector investment under social enterprise control. On the basis that we sustain an intelligent partnership with the next Welsh Assembly Government, Housing Associations in Wales have pledged to increase investment in hohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/give-social-housing-more-economic-prominence.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/give-social-housing-more-economic-prominence.cfmFri, 06 May 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC are now able to offer Foundation Training for Board Members on an in-house basis. http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/building-better-board-foundations--new-training-launched.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/building-better-board-foundations--new-training-launched.cfmThu, 07 Apr 2011 09:00:00 GMT Report launched shows Wales is making good progress on improving housing standards. Commenting on the report, Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of the Community said: “We are delighted with the progress that our members are making to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.  Every tenant has the right to live in a home that is warm and secure in an attractive and safe environment.  We know that poor quality homes can lead to other problems such as poor health and educational performance. Our members’ efforts represent a significant investment in tenants homes and communities across Wales with has produced a number of wider benefits including job creation and training, reduced fuel poverty and reduced carbon emissions anhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-housing-association-properties-to-achieve-whqs-by-given-deadlines.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-housing-association-properties-to-achieve-whqs-by-given-deadlines.cfmThu, 07 Apr 2011 09:00:00 GMT A CHC Member’s Leaseholder Network meeting will be held on Monday 23 May 2011 at the MRC in Llandrindod Wells.  The main agenda item for this meeting will be around the feasibility and usefulness of holding further meetings, and the format and content of subsequent meetings.  Should members decide in favour of a Leaseholder Network, meetings will take place 3 times per year which is in line with CHC’s existing Networks and Forums and cost per person will be £22.  Networks are a great opportunity to discuss current issues and to hear presentations from high quality speakers about the topics that are relevant to you, as well as sharing good practice. Please contact  clare-williams@chcymru.org.uk for http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-leaseholder-network-meeting--.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-leaseholder-network-meeting--.cfmFri, 25 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Board of Community Housing Cymru promise 1500 new affordable homes built with no social housing grant The Community Housing Cymru Group are ready to invest a quarter of a billion pounds to boost investment in the supply of social housing and care and regeneration projects in Wales.  The investment will be dependent on a continued constructive partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government over the 2011-15 period.  In 2007 the sector pledged to increase borrowing and investment by at least £112m in return for an independent policy review of its regulation, led by former Finance Minister Sue Essex. Four years on the sector has actually delivered over £300m of additional investment.  Nick Bennett, Group Chief Exehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/quarter-of-a-billion-offered-to-boost-welsh-economy.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/quarter-of-a-billion-offered-to-boost-welsh-economy.cfmThu, 17 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT Charity Bank and Community Housing Cymru Group Launch Pamphlet by Former MP and Leading Academic Advocating Big Role for Social Enterprise in the Future of Welsh Public Services. Charity Bank and the Community Housing Cymru Group will today publish their jointly commissioned pamphlet ‘The Collective Entrepreneur – Social Enterprise and the Smart State’. The pamphlet is co-written by Professor Kevin Morgan and Adam Price. The authors argue that in the political journey of two decades from Margaret Thatcher’s “no such thing as society” through New Labour’s Third Sector to David Cameron’s Big Society, something fundamental has changed. Firstly the credit-crunch has prompted questioning of the puthttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/pamphlet-marks-out-a-mutual-path-for-welsh-economy-and-public-services.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/pamphlet-marks-out-a-mutual-path-for-welsh-economy-and-public-services.cfmWed, 16 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT We have already had 70 bookings for the Resources Conference on 19/20 May after distributing the event flyer last week. Please book your place quickly in order to secure a residential place at the Metropole Hotel. Once the Metropole Hotel is full, delegates will be allocated a place at an outreach hotel. Resources Conference informationhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/resources-conference-2011---70-places-already-snapped-up.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/resources-conference-2011---70-places-already-snapped-up.cfmThu, 10 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT The Welsh Assembly Government are conducting a brief study with stakeholders in Wales in order to gather their perspectives on the deficiencies in the current homelessness legislaton. It has been agreed that the report will be produced by the end of March. If you would like to contribute, please contact Peter Mackie by 28 March on mackiep@cardiff.ac.uk . For further information, please click on the link below.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/homelessness-legislation-in-wales---have-your-say-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/homelessness-legislation-in-wales---have-your-say-.cfmThu, 10 Mar 2011 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru has been awarded a grant of £248,000 from the Big Lottery to fund a money advice service to compliment Moneyline Cymru – a Community Development Finance Institution which provides affordable loans and bank and savings accounts to people who have difficulity accessing these though mainstream channels.   Moneyline Cymru currently has high street offices in Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Pontypridd, and Cwmbran and a  telephone service which extends to Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire.  It was set up and funded by 16 Welsh housing associations in partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions and RBS, to directly tackle financial exclusion and the growing problems with high http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/quarter-of-a-million-pounds-to-help-vulnerable-people.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/quarter-of-a-million-pounds-to-help-vulnerable-people.cfmThu, 24 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT Diary Marker    ‘The Collective Entrepreneur’ Community Housing Cymru and the Charity Bank launch major report When:             16 March, arrival by 6:30pm Where:            Eversheds LLp,  1 Callaghan Square, Cardiff, CF10 5BT  With the public sector facing a prolonged period of spending restrictions it seems timely to ask what sort of community services does the public want and how will they be funded? Community Housing Cymru and the Charity Bank invite you to the launch of a major report that investigates these questions. In their report ‘The Collective Entrepreneur’, Prof. Khttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/the-collective-entrepreneur---16-march-630pm.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/the-collective-entrepreneur---16-march-630pm.cfmThu, 24 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT <st1:stockticker> UK Government announce that the proposed 10% cut to Housing Benefit for those on Jobseekers Allowance for more than a year will be removed from the Welfare Reform Bill. </st1:stockticker> <st1:stockticker>CHC</st1:stockticker> is delighted with this decision. In collaboration with the other <st1:country-region><st1:place>UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> federations and our partner organisations in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Wales</st1:place></st1:country-region>, we have lobbied hard against this proposal. We are extremely pleased that the Government has listened to our concerns about the severe hardship that this would cause the poorest and most vulnerable groups in our communities. <st1:stockticker>CHC</st1:shttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/10-cut-to-housing-benefit-scrapped.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/10-cut-to-housing-benefit-scrapped.cfmThu, 17 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT SQW were commissioned to undertake an evaluation of the Essex Implementation Programme. A copy of their report can be found using the links below: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/publications/esseximpevaluation/?lang=en http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/publications/esseximpevaluation/?skip=1&lang=cyhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/sqw-response-to-the-essex-implementation-programme.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/sqw-response-to-the-essex-implementation-programme.cfmMon, 31 Jan 2011 09:00:00 GMT CHC welcomes the review into the impact of  the housing benefit  reforms announced by the UK government yesterday.  We believe it will provide strong evidence which supports our views that the reforms will impact on the most vulnerable groups in society and will lead to significant increases in homelessness  and poverty across Wales.   We are also lobbying against the cuts to housing benefit in the forthcoming Welfare Reform Bill, in particular, the proposals to cut housing benefit by 10% for all those claimants who have been on jobseeker’s allowance for more than a year.   We believe this proposal will  cause severe hardship for many individuals living in Wales.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/uk-government-announce-benefit-review.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/uk-government-announce-benefit-review.cfmWed, 26 Jan 2011 09:00:00 GMT                      CHC would like to invite all members to an online ‘question and answer’ session led by the Energy Saving Trust''s Head of Low Carbon Development, Steve Harris. The session will be live from 1:30pm on Monday 31 January, although questions can be left from the morning of Friday 28 th . Steve''s team is responsible for several government and industry backed field trials monitoring the performance of different renewable technologies such as solar panels, small wind turbines and heat pumps. He also has significant practical experience in designing renewable technology installations and has http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/renewable-technologies-question-and-answer-session-on-chcs-discussion-forum.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/renewable-technologies-question-and-answer-session-on-chcs-discussion-forum.cfmTue, 11 Jan 2011 09:00:00 GMT At a Housing Partnership Conference today (Thursday 25 Nov), Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration , launched a report looking at the impact of housing associations in the Welsh economy.  The study, undertaken by the Welsh Economic Research Unit (WERU) was commissioned by Community Housing Cymru and found that Welsh housing associations have built 2 , 286 new affordable homes in 09/10, a total of nearly 6,000 over the last three years, contributing to 83% of the One Wales target for affordable housing.  Nick Bennett said: “I am delighted that our members have contributed eight out of ten of the homes that have gone towards achieving the One Wales target. Our production rate has increased year on yeahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-economic-impact-study-launched-at-housing-partnership-conference.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-economic-impact-study-launched-at-housing-partnership-conference.cfmThu, 25 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT Please find below the link to the executive summary and the full report of the Review into Housing Related Support by Professor Sir Mansell Aylward: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/supportingpeople/supportedreview/finalreport/;jsessionid=p2f0MqxGHQlLHc62gLBHcJmNjhfRmPQQH6w4KTT2nGbJP2h8nScT!-238050917?lang=en The review will be formally launched on Wednesday 24 November. Professor Sir Mansell Aylward will also be presenting at the CHC/WAG/WLGA Partnership Conference on 25 November, and there will be the opportunity to explore the issues more fully in two workshops being run at the conference. Date for the Diary - The focus of the agenda at the next Supported Housing Forum on 25 January 2011 will be the Review findings http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/review-into-housing-related-support.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/review-into-housing-related-support.cfmMon, 22 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT Two charities working with children and young people in Wales have joined the call against the UK government''s cuts to housing benefit and local housing allowance. Last month, nine major Welsh charities and membership organisations concerned with housing, homelessness, support and advice services, and mental and physical health issues joined together to oppose the cuts, arguing that they would disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable people in society and contribute to homelessness, housing need and poverty. More than 550 people have signed the group''s petition calling on the UK government to reconsider the changes, and now Barnardos Cymru and Llamau have added their voices, saying that they are deeply concerned about thehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/children-and-young-peoples-charities-join-call-against-housing-benefit-cuts.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/children-and-young-peoples-charities-join-call-against-housing-benefit-cuts.cfmFri, 19 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT   The Welsh Assembly Government announced their draft budget today. To read the full report click here. Commenting on the budget, Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: “Today’s announcement that Social Housing Grant(SHG)  in Wales will be cut by 30%  next year, reducing the budget to just over £69m with proposed cuts of 15% and then 20% for the following two years comes as a bitter blow to the sector. This figure is presented as having an increase of £9.348m from this year’s SHG budget, although taking into account that this year’s SHG budget line was affected by the bringing forward of capital (£12m into 08/09 and £28m into 09/10) - SHG in 2010/11http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-the-wag-draft-budget.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-respond-to-the-wag-draft-budget.cfmWed, 17 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT Friday 12 November is your last chance to make use of the early bird discount for our Housing Partnership Conference on 25/26 November at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff. Please note that we will still be taking bookings after this date. To book online or for further information, please see the following link: http://www.chcymru.org.uk/chc_dev_final/events/en/events_home.cfm?mainpagelet=eventDetails&event_uuid=F5A49039-08B5-4295-801F-701E912E1456&day_index=40507   ** The conference hotel is now full - all additional residential bookings will be placed in outreach hotels. **http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/annual-conference---last-chance-to-benefit-from-the-early-bird-discount.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/annual-conference---last-chance-to-benefit-from-the-early-bird-discount.cfmThu, 11 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT Thousands of people across South Wales have been given a helping hand by a community development finance initiative called Moneyline Cymru. Created by housing associations in the form of five high street outlets operating in Newport, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Pontypridd and Bridgend, this initiative has been issuing affordable loans and financial advice to tenants who cannot get affordable credit from mainstream outlets such as banks and building societies.   The initiative celebrated its first anniversary on 3 rd November with addresses from Jocelyn Davies AM, Nick Bennett from Community Housing Cymru, Lindsey Kearton from Consumer Focus Wales, Lucia Gillespie from Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit and Nigel Draper, Moneyline Cymru Chair, who http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/initiative-saves-tenants-almost-1-7m.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/initiative-saves-tenants-almost-1-7m.cfmWed, 03 Nov 2010 09:00:00 GMT Six major Welsh charities have joined forces to condemn the Westminster government’s proposed cuts to housing benefit and local housing allowance. Shelter Cymru, Community Housing Cymru , Mind Cymru, Citizens’ Advice Cymru, Gofal, and Cymorth, together with the Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Landlords Association and the Welsh Tenants Federation, say that the cuts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in society and lead to greater social and economic costs in the longer term. In a joint statement, the group outlined their concerns and called on the public to sign a petition to back their call for the UK government to reconsider the cuts, which they say will lead to greater homelessness, housing need ahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/for-whose--benefit-sign-our-petition-to-urge-the-uk-government-to-reconsider-the-proposed-cuts-to-housing-benefit.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/for-whose--benefit-sign-our-petition-to-urge-the-uk-government-to-reconsider-the-proposed-cuts-to-housing-benefit.cfmThu, 28 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: “It’s important to remember that the cuts to social housing announced so far only relate to England. We realise that the Barnett block settlement will be tighter than at any time since devolution, but we are determined to work with WAG and all our partners to make sure that there continues to be maximum public and private investment in not for profit housing, regeneration and care. As Kevin Morgan stated, now is the time for innovation rather than indignation, that is why the social housing sector is urgently exploring the potential for a Welsh Housing Investment Trust and Welsh Bond finance to make scarce public resources stretch as far as we can. It is also thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-the-comprehensive-spending-review.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-the-comprehensive-spending-review.cfmWed, 20 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT After months of anticipation and hard work, CHC''s new website is now live! Please feel free to register on the site and to browse through our publications, key issues, events, news items and so on. You can book and pay online for events and publications, so please make the most of this new and exciting service. The website is fully integrated with our Customer Relationship Management system which means that your registration details will be recorded on our database. This ensures that our information and mailing lists will be updated constantly in order to keep our members informed. Your event bookings will also be transferred straight through to the events section of our database. With this new streamlined approach, we will http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-new-website-is-now-live.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-new-website-is-now-live.cfmFri, 15 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT In separate statements both Jocelyn Davies, Plaid Cymru AM and the Deputy Minister for Housing And regeneration, and Carl Sargent, AM for Alyn & Deeside have backed our campaign to urge the UK Government to reconsider housing benefit cut proposals.   Jocelyn Davies AM said that the Welsh government has been working hard to tackle homelessness and poverty and warned that these plans could undo that work and would hit Wales particularly hard.  She urged the ConDem government to think again. She said:'I''m fully in support of the action that these charities are taking.  The ConDem government''s plans show a complete lack of understanding of the situation here in Wales.  The lack of affordable housinghttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-ams-support-campaign.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-ams-support-campaign.cfmFri, 15 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT Representatives from Community Housing Cymru are today meeting with Jane Hutt, AM, Minister for Business and Budgets, Jocelyn Davies, AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration and representatives from the private finance sector, to discuss progress on some of the innovative ways the social housing sector is adapting in order to increase the volume of housing finance to build more affordable homes and assist people who are financially excluded during the current economic climate. Early indications suggest that the One Wales target of 6,500 new homes will be achieved by 2011, but the housing sector believes that beyond 2011, in increasingly challenging times, more needs to be done to build more affordable homes for the thousands of peohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-finance-summit---challenging-times-call-for-innovative-solutions.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-finance-summit---challenging-times-call-for-innovative-solutions.cfmWed, 06 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT The majority of the Equality Act 2010 comes into force today, bringing together existing equality law into one place so that it is easier to understand and extends protection to some groups so that they are treated more fairly. The new law protects everyone in Britain  and covers namely age, race, religion and belief, sex (meaning gender) and sexual orientation; and some people also have the protected characteristics of disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. Under the Act people are not allowed to discriminate, harass or victimise another person because they belong to a group that the Act protects, are thought to belong to one of those groups or are associated with someone who doehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcomes-new-equality-act.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcomes-new-equality-act.cfmWed, 06 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru’s ‘Don’t get bitten’ campaign to urge tenants not to use loan sharks or door step lenders has been shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide awards. The campaign which was rolled out across Wales last year in the form of hard hitting television adverts, bus posters and leaflets to all housing association tenants had the following objectives: ·         To raise awareness among tenants that by borrowing even a small amount of money could mean paying back thousands of pounds in interest.  ·         To inform tenants that there are other options available to them and highlighttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dont-get-bitten-shortlisted-for-pride-award.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dont-get-bitten-shortlisted-for-pride-award.cfmWed, 06 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT Nick Bennett, Group Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru* has been appointed the UK representative for Housing Europe (CECODHAS), the European Liaison committee for social housing, which promotes the right to a decent home for all. He travels to Brussels today (15 th September) where he will represent the interests of social housing in the UK. His role will involve raising the profile of social and affordable housing and regeneration across the EU institutions and lobbying for better regulation and funding for not for profit housing across the UK.   Nick said: 'European Union policies in competition, state aid, procurement, freedom of movement, environment and regional aid all impact on the work of not for profit housing. After thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-chief-executive-travels-to-brussels-to-represent-interests-of-social-housing-in-the-uk.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-chief-executive-travels-to-brussels-to-represent-interests-of-social-housing-in-the-uk.cfmWed, 06 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT The guidelines have been jointly produced by the Welsh Assembly Government and Community Housing Cymru and have been drafted following extensive consultation with the housing associations and tenants. They have been drafted as delivery outcomes, which places the focus on the result for the customer rather than the processes and actions of the housing association. They comprise statements of intent that all Housing Associations should aspire to and against which they will assess their own performance. Self Assessment is a core element of the new regulatory system introduced in <!--l:namespace prefix = st1--><ST1:country-region w:st='on'><ST1:place w:st='on'>Wales</ST1:place></ST1:country-region> this year. Speaking at the launch the Deputy Mhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/deputy-minister-launches-new-guidelines-for-housing-associations.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/deputy-minister-launches-new-guidelines-for-housing-associations.cfmWed, 08 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT Ten years ago, Community Housing Cymru set up an Award scheme to recognise housing innovation in memory of a special person - Pat Chown. Pat gave a big part of her life to helping others and spent much of her working life in helping to meet people''s housing needs in Wales. As a way of remembering Pat, her contribution to housing and her constant search for better ways of doing things, Community Housing Cymru is inviting entries for the Capturing Creativity Award. The Award’s aim is to recognise innovation: New ways of responding to day-to-day issues. Genuinely new ideas about dealing with common problems. A much easier way of tackling a long-standing issue. The Award judges will be looking for entries which demonstrate that the projehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/capturing-creativity-pat-chown-award-2010.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/capturing-creativity-pat-chown-award-2010.cfmThu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT Join Community Housing Cymru along with United Welsh, The GENuS consortium, CREW, Tai Calon, The Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru and i2i at stand A18 at the Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale to see the work housing organisations are doing around building communities, financial exclusion, jobs and training, digital exclusion, health and care and much more..... On Wednesday the 4th of August at 12 noon, join us on the stand (A18) for a ''Celebration of Social Housing in Wales''. On Friday the 6th of August at 12 noon, join us in the Sbardun Pavilion for a lively debate with the Chartered Institute of Housing and Shelter Cymru on the impact greater devolved powers over housing could have for people and their homes in Wales. We hope thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/eisteddfod-2010.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/eisteddfod-2010.cfmThu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT With Privy Council approval, the housing legislative competence order has been passed which will give the Assembly Government the ability to legislate on a range of housing issues. Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: ' Community Housing Cymru warmly welcome the news that this LCO will allow for a range of housing powers to be devolved from Westminster to Wales. Overall, over the past few years, we have been very pleased with the way in which housing policy has been developed by the Assembly Government and we support the full devolution of primary law making powers to Wales.  After taking three years to reach this stage, it’s great news that we will now be able to make Welsh housing laws which will be a http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-powers-devolved-to-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-powers-devolved-to-wales.cfmThu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT Yesterday,  Budget Minister Jane Hutt announced that the Welsh Assembly Government had elected to absorb the bulk of spending cuts this year in Wales. The Minister ended speculation that Wales might follow Scotland in deferring £163m budget cuts until next year by saying that WAG would take as much as they could without harming frontline services. She also announced capital investment in housing, education, health and social care are to be protected using unspent funds – amounting to around £49m of projects. Nick Bennett, Chief executive of Community Housing Cymru said it was vital that the capital housing projects were safeguarded. He said: 'We are glad that we have seen the protection of these capital projhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcomes-ringfencing-of-welsh-capital-expenditure.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-welcomes-ringfencing-of-welsh-capital-expenditure.cfmThu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 GMT Commenting on the announcement, Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: 'We warmly welcome the news that this LCO is being re-introduced without amendment. The fact that we will now be able to make Welsh housing laws will be a huge benefit for the people of Wales.' Statement by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration - Jocelyn Davies, Tuesday 29 June 2010 <!-- Header: [end] --><!-- Text: [begin] --> 'Following my oral statement to Assembly Members last week on the Housing and Local Government Legislative Competence Order, I am very pleased to announce that an agreement has now been reached with the UK Government. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales has confirmed that the Housing and Locahttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/lco-to-be-re-introduced.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/lco-to-be-re-introduced.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT Following an assembly cabinet meeting this week after the announcement of the Chancellor’s budget, First Minister Carwyn Jones felt that Wales would be hit 'disproportionately' and that the needs of Wales had been 'ignored' in the Budget, but stated that the impact would not be known until the autumn with the outcome of the Spending Review to be published on 20 th October. Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has described the UK government''s first Budget as 'tough but fair' stating that the budget set out a 'balanced package of measures which would help tackle the largest deficit in peacetime history, while safeguarding support for the poorest and most vulnerable in society'.  The Welsh Assembly Government released a statement revealihttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-chancellors-budget.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-chancellors-budget.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru has achieved the prestigious Gold Investors in People award, the most successful framework for business improvement through people in the UK. Community Housing Cymru joins only two other organisations in Wales who are eligible to use and display the sought-after Gold Investors in People logo and plaque, and enjoy its benefits. CHC, who currently employ fourteen members of staff, formally committed to the award in August 2009 after 12 months of working towards Investors in People (IiP) with their advisor, Sue Rowlands. The award has ten indicators which cover areas such as Management Effectiveness, Recognition and Reward and Involvement and Empowerment. The assessment revealed that staff enjoyed working at CHC and thehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/prestigious-gold-award-for-housing-body.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/prestigious-gold-award-for-housing-body.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru (CHC) and Care & Repair Cymru (CRC) have been given the final green light to form a group structure. CHC’s National Council had already approved plans to form the structure and at a Special General Meeting held by CRC, shareholders voted on changes to their rules to allow CHC to become their parent. The vote required a 75% return in favour and the meeting saw 98% of its shareholders vote in favour of the change. Collaborative activities have been set out by both organizations and work is now under way to finalise the legal, governance and financial work that is required in the setting up of a group structure and it is hoped to have all this in place by July 1 st. The Chief Executive for the Group will be Nihttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/green-light-for-group-structure.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/green-light-for-group-structure.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT Despite the deepest recession in recent memory, the combined accounts of Welsh housing associations show that the sector has established a sound basis to continue investing in homes and communities into the future - by doing so making a significant impact on the social, economic and physical characteristics of Wales. The accounts co-produced by Community Housing Cymru and the Welsh Assembly Government indicate that: The sector’s homes have increased to just over 122,000. Turnover for both traditional and LSVT (Large scale voluntary transfer) associations has increased and their balance sheets have continued to grow – total turnover was £434m in 2009. Debt increased to £1.1billion. In 2009, associations were not only http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-associations-meet-the-challenge.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-associations-meet-the-challenge.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT Today marks the start of sustainability week and housing associations across Wales are embarking on a home improvement scheme to upgrade the energy efficiency of tenant’s homes, in turn lowering carbon emissions from the social housing sector, and creating new green jobs and training opportunities for the people of Wales The scheme called Arbed, which is the Welsh for ‘save’, is a £30million Welsh Assembly Government initiative and the social housing sector played a major role in identifying projects which could benefit from such funding. Members of Community Housing Cymru were asked to submit proposals for energy saving projects and eighteen member’s bids were deemed successful. Improving carbon reduction and http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/30m-green-boost-for-tenants.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/30m-green-boost-for-tenants.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT The group behind the initiative Moneyline Cymru has scooped an award for ‘Ground breaking service team of the year’ at an awards ceremony hosted by trade magazine Inside Housing and the Chartered Institute of Housing. They fought off stiff competition from entries from all over the UK and scooped the award for their innovation and dedication in establishing Moneyline Cymru – a community development finance initiative offering affordable loans and financial advice to people who would otherwise turn to high interest lenders, often borrowing at rates of more than 250% APR. This groundbreaking initiative seen five pilot outlets opened across South Wales in Pontypridd, Newport, Cardiff, Cwmbran and Bridgend, and to date these ohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/top-award-for-moneyline-cymru.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/top-award-for-moneyline-cymru.cfmFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru (CHC) and Care & Repair Cymru (CRC) are delighted to announce that they have begun a formal consultation process with their members on forming a closer collaborative working arrangement between both organisations. Following on from Board approval, both organisations have commenced legal and due diligence proceedings to enter into a formal structure, and believe that through this arrangement, they can become more effective, work smarter and as a result deliver more to their members and beneficiaries. The intention is to put in place a formal structure that will protect the separate identities of CRC and CHC. The existing CRC Management Board and CHC National Council will continue to govern the respective organisathttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-and-care-and-repair-collaboration-plans-launched.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-and-care-and-repair-collaboration-plans-launched.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Dear Party Leader We are alliance of organisations in Wales who between us represent the people, social landlords, businesses and charities who work in the housing and related support field. We have been lobbying for increased housing powers for Wales for a long time, and recently gave our unanimous support to the Housing LCO as it would allow politicians and partners in Wales to take more responsibility for housing, regeneration, homelessness and support services and to help us develop a housing system that is fit for purpose now and in the future. Whilst the failure to pass the Order was disappointing and represents a setback, we remain committed to achieving the principle of having the opportunity to develop housing policy in Wales that http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/open-letter-sent-to-party-leaders.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/open-letter-sent-to-party-leaders.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT The Lean Systems Champions Programme, developed by The Improvement Consultancy and promoted jointly with CHC, provides a unique opportunity to improve the way your services are designed, delivered and managed, with the goal of providing better services and enhanced value for customers. The programme has been developed for the Welsh housing sector and is delivered through a series of learning workshops, intervention networks, project work, and professional on site coaching. The programme will develop a team of lean systems champions within the housing sector in Wales, building on existing good practice and learning. Programme alumni will be encouraged to continue to meet and share solutions with sector colleagues on completion of the 18 monthttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/lean-systems-champions-programme-for-housing-in-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/lean-systems-champions-programme-for-housing-in-wales.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Powers over housing will not be devolved to the Welsh Assembly as the bid has failed to gain Parliamentary approval. The housing Legislative Competence Order (LCO) needed to be passed by Parliament before the general election. Commenting on the decision Nick Bennett, chief executive of Community Housing Cymru said: 'We are really disappointed and frustrated that this has happened as this LCO would have allowed for a better housing system in Wales. Having worked on this for the last two years, all efforts aimed at increasing investment, fighting homelessness and needlessly empty homes have come to nothing.' Following the decision, Jocelyn Davies, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration added it 'was a huge disappointment and a huge blowhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-powers-will-not-be-devolved.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-powers-will-not-be-devolved.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru welcomed the Chancellors decision to scrap stamp duty on house sales under £250,000 and the guarantee to provide free basic bank accounts to one million people over the next five years. Commenting on the announcement, Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: 'We welcome more action to increase access to housing and financial inclusion but we still face a crisis in both housing supply and in financial exclusion. 200,000 people in Wales are currently without a bank account and more that 150,000 are using door step lenders because they can''t access mainstream credit. On public spending cuts, The Chancellor spoke about plans to protect education, health and policing but without reassurances thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-budget.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-comment-on-budget.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Members of Community Housing Cymru’s National Council today voted in favour of forming a partnership with Care & Repair Cymru. Within the partnership, CHC will be the parent organisation, and Nick Bennett will become the group Chief Executive. The proposals will see CHC become the host organisation for some back office services. CHC and CRC will retain their separate identities, roles and responsibilities. These proposals are still subject to formal approval by the Board of Care and Repair Cymru. Speaking ahead of Alistair Darlings budget announcement, Nick Bennett said 'With the widely anticipated cuts in budgets, we need to strengthen the case for investment in Housing and housing services, and demonstrate more clearly how inveshttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-national-council-vote-to-form-group-structure.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-national-council-vote-to-form-group-structure.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Tenants in Neath Port Talbot have voted to transfer their homes to NPT Homes. Independent organisation Electoral Reform Services, which ran the ballot, have released the results of the secret ballot of tenants in which 61.6% voted, 56.6% supported the transfer proposal and 43.4% did not support the Council’s transfer proposal. The Council has worked closely with tenants to develop proposals that will ensure Council properties can be improved up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard, set by the Welsh Assembly Government. Tenants can now look forward to a future programme of repairs and improvements that will total £152million in the first six years and £694million over 30 years. Council Leader Ali Thomas said: 'The ballot rhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/neath-port-talbot-council-to-transfer-housing-stock.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/neath-port-talbot-council-to-transfer-housing-stock.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Congratulation to the Moneyline Cymru steering group who have deservingly been shortlisted for a Housing Heroes award. They will represent the sector under the category of ground breaking service team of the year at a prestigious event hosted by TV personality Ben Fogle on the 14th of May in London. Moneyline Cymru have opened five pilot outlets across Wales and offer affordable loans and financial advice to tenants. They''ve issued over 500 loans to date and in total have saved customers over £350,000 in debt interest. Congratulations must also go to the other finalists from Wales: HR Team of the Year: Monmouthshire Housing IT Team of the Year: The Cadarn Housing Group Frontline Housing Team of the Year: RCT Homes – Community Shttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cymru-shortlisted-for-a-housing-heroes-award.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/moneyline-cymru-shortlisted-for-a-housing-heroes-award.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Yesterday evening Assembly Members in Cardiff Bay voted in favour of proposals to extend powers over housing to Wales. These proposals are specified in a legislative competence order (LCO) and request further powers so that the assembly can create Welsh laws in relation to housing in Wales. Although the majority of AMs voted in favour, there was strong opposition from the Conservative Party. They have been criticised for opposing the vote, as they are against changing the 'right to buy' legislation. Speaking before the vote yesterday, Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru (CHC) said: 'This is the second housing LCO that CHC has given evidence on in the past two years and I would be flabbergasted if it fails. This comprehehttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/ams-vote-for-more-housing-powers.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/ams-vote-for-more-housing-powers.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Commenting on the announcement, Jane Pagler, Supporting people advisor at Community Housing Cymru aid: ' I am pleased to see this funding confirmed as it is essential in ensuring that older people can remain warm, safe and secure and have their individual needs met in their own homes.'' Press release from the WAG below: The Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM, has announced a £4.9m Wales-wide package to provide practical help for older and disabled people to remain in their own homes. The funding has been awarded to Care and Repair Cymru and to the individual Care and Repair agencies across Wales. The service helps older people and people with disabilities to repair, improve and adapt their homes to enable http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/jocelyn-davies-announces-extra-funding-for-vulnerable-older-and-disabled-people-in-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/jocelyn-davies-announces-extra-funding-for-vulnerable-older-and-disabled-people-in-wales.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Please note we have filled our allocated rooms in the Metropole Hotel for the Governance Conference on 4/5 March, and so future bookings are not guaranteed to have a place in the conference hotel. Please contact rhian-robinson@chcymru.org.uk if you have any querieshttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/conference-hotel-now-full.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/conference-hotel-now-full.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT The countdown to the UK general election has begun and politicians are pushing forward their campaigns to fight for every vote. The election promises to be closely contested, following developments in 2009 where the local and European elections confirmed the Conservatives’ lead over Labour. It is vital that housing stays at the top of the political agenda and that the next government invest more in social housing in order to achieve many public policy objectives, including better educational achievements, improvement of lives by promoting better health outcomes, providing more training and job opportunities, providing sustainable development and helping to overcome social exclusion and poverty. Did you know that: Every £1 spent http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/uk-housing-manifesto.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/uk-housing-manifesto.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT This is the annual event for board members in the social housing sector in Wales. And as the new regulatory environment for the sector takes shape, the spotlight is on governance and on the board. This year’s event will focus on the key challenges and issues for boards and board members and help ensure fitness for purpose. The main sessions and workshops have been designed to help board members get the most out of their time, commitment and purpose. The speakers and workshop leaders bring a wealth of knowledge and experience and the event provides plenty of opportunities to meet up with colleagues, catch up on the gossip and brush up on your skills. The full programme is available to download from the column on the right hand side - phttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/governance-conference-4-5-march.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/governance-conference-4-5-march.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT CHC have published their latest list of scheduled training courses - please see here for a full list. Please contact Jenny Horton if you require any further information.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-training-courses.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-training-courses.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Most of us dread the ‘L’ word – ‘legal’. But the fact of the matter is, we often can’t do our jobs without knowledge of legal issues that affect even the smallest details of how we do business and conduct ourselves in the work place. And with new legislation being proposed and brought into law on almost a daily basis, we can’t afford not to keep apprised of those changes that affect us most. By attending this one-day forum, you will have access to user friendly information presented in plain language, using real-life examples and supported by easy to implement examples and delivered by top legal practitioners with years of practical experience to share. The day will be made up of a series of small whttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/user-friendly-legal-updates-plain-facts-you-cant-do-your-job-without.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/user-friendly-legal-updates-plain-facts-you-cant-do-your-job-without.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT A consultation on the governance and financial management of Housing Associations is available for comment on the Welsh Assembly Government website. The proposed standards could: Provide strategic shape and direction to the new self assessment arrangements for Housing Associations Improve accountability by letting all housing tenants/customers know what they should expect from their landlord Drive service improvement Help provide structure to any regulatory review by the Assembly Ms Davies said: 'It is important that we look at the financial mechanisms that support our commitment to provide new affordable housing. I am determined to reach our target of creating 6,500 additional affordable homes in this Assembly term. 'The Welsh Assembly Govhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-move-to-improve-housing-association-standards.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-move-to-improve-housing-association-standards.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT The Commercial Opportunities available with CHC in 2010 are now available - please see the flyer on the right hand side. Last year, the Welsh social housing sector spent £487m (an increase of 20% from 07/08), and regeneration spend was up by 22% to £257m. With funding of £94.75m coming to Wales through the European Investment Bank, and additional funds through the Welsh Housing Investment Trust, these events will allow you to promote your services to a sector that is committed to doing more in 2010. If you have any further queries, please contact rhian-robinson@chcymru.org.uk  http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/commercial-opportunities-for-2010.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/commercial-opportunities-for-2010.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Wales'' new First Minister Carwyn Jones has unveiled his debut cabinet this afternoon. The reshuffle means Jocelyn Davies will have responsibility for Housing and Regeneration. Nick Bennett, commented: 'Community Housing Cymru warmly welcomes the integration of Housing and Regeneration. The stock transfer process has demonstrated the importance of housing to regeneration. Last year housing associations invested more than £250m in regeneration activities and we have extended action into areas such as financial inclusion with the launch of Moneyline Cymru. We look forward to working with the Deputy Minister in her new role and in ensuring that housing investment has the maximum effect on tackling fuel poverty and creating jobs and trainhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/jocelyn-davies-remit-to-include-regeneration.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/jocelyn-davies-remit-to-include-regeneration.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Early figures suggest the number of homes, delivered by Housing Associations over the last two years, is 3,252. This is based on independent figures provided the Welsh Economic Research Unit (WERU).http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-assembly-government-on-course-to-hit-housing-target.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-assembly-government-on-course-to-hit-housing-target.cfmThu, 06 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru welcomes comments on the consultation document attached on the right hand side. Comments should be sent by 9 March 2010 in hard copy or by email to: Amanda Oliver Policy and Research Manager Community Housing Cymru Fulmar House Beignon Close Ocean Park CARDIFF CF24 5HF amanda-oliver@chcymru.org.uk  http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-code-of-governance-consultation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-code-of-governance-consultation.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT CHC is consulting on our priorities for the 2010-2013 Corporate Plan. These are: Promoting the Voluntary Housing Sector in Wales. Promoting and encouraging Innovation in: ·         The funding and delivery of social housing and ·         Services to support members in a new regulatory system.  Promoting the relief of financial hardship by our members through: ·         The Environment and action on fuel poverty, ·         Financial Inclusion, and ·         Supporting People. The purpose of the consultatiohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/corporate-plan-consultation.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/corporate-plan-consultation.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru are delighted to announce an additional £20m of funding from the European Investment bank. Back in September it was initially expected that the European Investment Bank would extend £75m funding for the social housing sector, but the figure now stands at £95m, almost 30% of the total amount coming to the UK (£345m). Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: 'This is great news, we are delighted that this additional funding has been made available to our members. For a small nation with around 5% of the population, it’s great news that we’ve secured almost 30% of the total UK’s allocation. Our members have borrowed over a quarter of a billion pounds over thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/20m-additional-funding-coming-to-wales-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/20m-additional-funding-coming-to-wales-.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Council housing stock in Ceredigion has been officially signed over to the Tai Ceredigion housing association. 70% of tenants turned out and voted in favour of transfer in a ballot in November of last year and a shadow board has been working towards the transfer since then. As well as the housing stock and all its tenants, Ceredigion County Council has also transferred 72 members of staff to the employment of the new association. Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: ' This is the eight local authority to transfer their housing stock to a new not for profit organisation. By voting yes to stock transfer, tenants can now look forward, within the first five years, to an investment of £40 million which is needed thttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/tai-ceredigion-is-officially-born.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/tai-ceredigion-is-officially-born.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT United Welsh were proud and delighted to be this year''s winners of the Pat Chown Capturing Creativity Award. The award was presented in recognition of the Targeted Recruitment and Training opportunities which United Welsh has helped to provide to individuals from traditionally excluded groups. The award was presented at the Community Housing Cymru symposium dinner on Thursday 26th November at the Hilton hotel in Cardiff. As part of the award United Welsh were also awarded a cheque for £1000 to be given to their nominated charity. This donation will go to Velindre Cancer Centre as this is United Welsh''s nominated charity for this year. To watch a short video of one of the trainees please click here .  http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/united-welsh-win-2009-pat-chown-award.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/united-welsh-win-2009-pat-chown-award.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT At a time when private investment is scarce and the public purse strings are being tightened, Welsh Housing Associations increased their spending by 20% on last year – a great feat given the current economic climate. This is one of the key messages delegates will hear at Community Housing Cymru’s Housing Partnership conference today, at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff. For the second year running, CHC will launch a report conducted by the Welsh Economic Research Unit at Cardiff Business School which highlights the contribution housing associations have made to the economy in 2008/09 - a difficult year for all businesses. The key findings include: 2142 new affordable homes have been built by members in 08/09. The total number of affohttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-has-spend-20-more-during-recession.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/welsh-has-spend-20-more-during-recession.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT In response to the announcement, Amanda Oliver, Policy and Research Manager at Community Housing Cymru said: 'This is a welcome development and presents an opportunity for Wales to lead the way in creating greener homes and sustainable communities which support wider objectives around inclusion and community regeneration.' The announcement was made today by the Welsh Assembly Government. The copy below is from the Welsh Assembly Government''s website. A constitutional move has been made that brings the devolution of building regulations to Wales a step closer. An Order in Council was approved yesterday (Tues 17th Nov) by Her Majesty the Queen which transfers powers to make Building Regulations for buildings in Wales to the Welsh Ministers whttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/devolution-of-building-regulations-to-wales-move-a-step-closer.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/devolution-of-building-regulations-to-wales-move-a-step-closer.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT WAG, CHC and WLGA have come together to organise what is being billed as the biggest event in the Welsh Housing Calendar this year. It is an exceptional opportunity to influence and drive forward housing policy post Essex and is crucially important for those housing professionals interested in what the future will look like and what the sector needs to do to deliver in this new climate. As the only Welsh housing conference put together by the three main organisations involved with the Essex Review, can you afford not be there?http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/annual-conference-25-27-november.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/annual-conference-25-27-november.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Please click here for further information on the campaign. A hard hitting media campaign advising vulnerable social housing tenants not to ‘get bitten’ by loan sharks will be launched today by the membership body for housing associations in Wales. Over 15,000 households are believed to have borrowed money from loan sharks, and Community Housing Cymru is keen to raise awareness of the scale of the problem and to educate tenants that borrowing even a small amount of money could mean paying back thousands of pounds in interest. The campaign, which is being launched at the Senedd, will include emotive television adverts and provocative bus side posters, urging tenants to avoid borrowing from loan sharks and encouraging them to seek http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/unscrupulous-loan-sharks-target-vulnerable-tenants-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/unscrupulous-loan-sharks-target-vulnerable-tenants-.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Welcoming today''s announcement, Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: 'This is further proof of the economic role that social housing plays in Wales, and the capacity that members have for spending public and private resources effectively and efficiently. Over the past twelve months the economic impact of what the social housing sector can do has been boosted by £42m in SCIF 1, the bringing forward of £28m of Social housing grant from next year''s budget and of course the recent £75m of European Investment Bank lending into the sector. However, as well as a counter cyclical role in stimulating the economy, housing associations can play a critical role in overcoming some of the structural problems http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/additional-20-million-for-social-housing-sector.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/additional-20-million-for-social-housing-sector.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT A taster session will take place on Tuesday 24 November at Hugh James Solicitors’ offices (Hodge House, 114-116 St. Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY), from 1:30 to 4:30pm. 1.30 Registration and light lunch 2.00 Employment Law Update? 3.00 Coffee Break 3.15 Question and answer session 3.50 Closing remarks To confirm your attendance, please contact jennifer-horton@chcymru.org.uk For further information, please see the flyer on the right hand side.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-training-consortium.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/social-housing-training-consortium.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Did you know that over 150,000 people borrow from doorstep lenders every year in Wales? With an additional 15,000 falling prey to illegal money lenders. These people feel they have no other option for borrowing money and interest rates start at 254.2% APR (Provident Financial) to 2356% APR, which is a typical interest rate quoted by quickquid.com.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dont-get-bitten-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/dont-get-bitten-.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT With fewer lenders in the market, Community Housing Cymru are delighted to announce an additional £ 75M planned funding from the European Investment Bank for the social housing sector, together with an additional £ 30m from the Principality Building Society . Detailed proposals to extend this funding to Welsh Housing Assocations are currently being finalised and the commitments should be complete by December.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/over-100m-additional-funding-for-welsh-social-housing-sector.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/over-100m-additional-funding-for-welsh-social-housing-sector.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT The Apollo Group, one of the UKs fastest growing providers of integrated property services, has joined Community Housing Cymru as a Commercial Member, following discussions to secure a new office in Wales.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/apollo-group-joins-chc.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/apollo-group-joins-chc.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Community Housing Cymru will be sponsoring a Welsh Housing Quarterly debate on October 13th, entitled ''Should a Tenancy be for Life?''http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/whq-debate---should-a-tenancy-be-for-life.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/whq-debate---should-a-tenancy-be-for-life.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Please see the document on the right hand side for CHC''s response to WAG''s Supporting People Strategy.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-response-to-wags-supporting-people-strategy-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-response-to-wags-supporting-people-strategy-.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Join Community Housing Cymru at stand 533-534 for fun and games (including an Nintendo Wii), refreshments, activities for the children, information on housing in rural areas and financial inclusion. Also enter our prize draw to win a meal for two at St George''s Hotel, Llandudno.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-at-the-national-eisteddfod.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chc-at-the-national-eisteddfod.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT It''s been announced that Blaenau Gwent%u2019s council tenants have voted yes to transfer their housing stock to a new not-for-profit housing organisation called Tai Calon Community Homes.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/blaenau-gwent-council-tenants-vote-yes-to-transfer-housing-stock-to-new-not-for-profit-organisation-.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/blaenau-gwent-council-tenants-vote-yes-to-transfer-housing-stock-to-new-not-for-profit-organisation-.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT CHC will have a presence at the Royal Welsh Show all next week. Call in for a chat and a coffee if you''re at the show.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/come-and-visit-us-at-the-royal-welsh-show.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/come-and-visit-us-at-the-royal-welsh-show.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT A new Housing Debt Helpline to provide free advice to tenants and homeowners struggling to keep a roof over their heads was launched today [14 July] by Dr Brian Gibbons AM, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, and Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-housing-debt-helpline-for-wales.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-housing-debt-helpline-for-wales.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT The First Minister today chaired a meeting between Community Housing Cymru, representatives from the major banks and building societies and the Welsh Assembly Government. The aim of the meeting was to ensure the continuity of private funds into social housing in Wales if the One Wales target of 6,500 affordable homes is to be met by 2011. Andrew Davies, Minister for Finance wias also be in attendance.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/private-finance-must-increase-to-reach-target-of-6500-affordable-homes.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/private-finance-must-increase-to-reach-target-of-6500-affordable-homes.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Commenting on the LCO, Nick Bennett, Chief Executive said:http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-housing-powers-sought-to-protect-social-housing-and-rights-of-tenants.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-housing-powers-sought-to-protect-social-housing-and-rights-of-tenants.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT A big thank you to everyone who sponsored Nick for the ''Stuck at Sea'' event which was held yesterday.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/thank-you.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/thank-you.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT On Tuesday 16 June, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru, Nick Bennett, will be held captive off the coast of Swansea and will be made walk the plank unless he raises 800 pounds.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/nick-bennett-to-walk-the-plank-can-you-help-with-his-ransom.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/nick-bennett-to-walk-the-plank-can-you-help-with-his-ransom.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT From the WAG website: The Welsh Assembly Government is looking at a new model for housing associations to access private funding, Deputy Housing Minister Jocelyn Davies AM announced today.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-approach-to-lending-for-housing-associations-in-wales-considered.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/new-approach-to-lending-for-housing-associations-in-wales-considered.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Please click on the attachment on the right hand side to see CHC''s response to the Supporting People Housing Related Support Strategy.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-response-to-strategy.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/chcs-response-to-strategy.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Representatives from Community Housing Cymru are meeting with counterparts from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland today to outline their housing priorities for the European Parliament Elections, during which almost 500 million people will be eligible to vote.http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-chiefs-meet-to-set-out-priorities-for-forthcoming-european-parliament-elections.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/housing-chiefs-meet-to-set-out-priorities-for-forthcoming-european-parliament-elections.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT Commenting on the consultation Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: ''We welcome this new system which has been long called for. A more robust system round finance and governance will equip the sector in these challenging financial times.'http://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/consultation-on-housing-association-regulations-in-wales-announced.cfmhttp://chcymru.org.uk///newyddion/latest-news/2013/chc-news/en/consultation-on-housing-association-regulations-in-wales-announced.cfmWed, 05 May 2010 09:00:00 GMT