Issue 8 December 2007 - Homes for Haringey

Gordon
Brown visits
Ferry Lane
Page 3
Save time
and do it
online Page 7
Free cut out
budgeting
sheet Page 11
WIN
£100
Complete the
questionnaire
with this issue Page 9
December 2007 Issue 8
You’re HIRED!

News
2
2 News
4 Decent homes
6 Home and community
12 Your Board
13 Your shout
14 Resident involvement
18 Leaseholder news
20 Pam’s problem page
22 Performance
and more...
Homes for Haringey
Communications team
Editorial: 020 8489 1582
Email: communications@
homesforharingey.org
David Sherrington
Maggie Latto
Rose Obianwu
Clio Rawlings
Homes for Haringey is not responsible
for the contents or reliability of any
external websites in this magazine
and does not necessarily endorse
any views expressed within them.
A winnning bid
We are delighted to tell you that our repairs team has been
awarded the contract to do Haringey Council’s housing repairs.
We do about 60,000 repairs every year so it’s essential
that the service gives value for money. Earlier this year six
contractors, including our own repairs team, submitted bids
detailing the service they could provide and how much it
would cost.
The bids were reviewed by a group of residents, independent
specialists and council representatives.
There are two contracts, one for each half of the borough:
the in-house team won both. We’re now looking forward to
introducing a number of exciting projects to improve services.
The contract starts in January 2008.
Parking for visitors
After a successful pilot in Wood Green we’ve started introducing
the visitors’ parking permit scheme on all estates with controlled
parking schemes. We’re almost finished – residents on estates in
the west of Haringey will be able to buy the new permits from
February 2008.
Tenants on estates with controlled parking schemes can buy
short term parking permits for their visitors, ranging from one
hour to two weeks. One hour permits cost just 20p each (standard)
and 10p each (concessionary) when bought in sets of four.
To buy a permit, you need to complete a Housing Estates
Visitors Parking Permit Application Form. You can get this:
in person, at the Haringey Payment Centre,
247 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 8NZ;
by phone on 0845 073 1234;
by email at parking@haringey.gov.uk; or
from the website, www.homesforharingey.org
Members of the Homes
for Haringey bid team
celebrate

Can you Kickz it? Bite size
Kids attending Tottenham Hotspur’s free football programme
‘Kickz’ had a great surprise recently when they were visited
by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Secretary of State and
Minister for Culture and Sport, James Purnell MP and Premier
League star, Ledley King.
The VIP visit was arranged to celebrate the success of
Kickz, a local community project on the Ferry Lane estate
designed to get kids using their football talents on the field
instead of on the street. Since
starting in April 2006 it has
gone from strength to strength
and fewer residents in the area
have complained about the
behaviour of local youngsters.
Over 120 kids attend regularly.
James Purnell MP said:“I
think it’s great that young
people like this can come off
the streets, be part of a team,
part of a community group
and play football. It cuts crime
but it also builds a huge
community spirit in the area.”
Back to the floor
Once a year, for National Customer Services Week, we get
to send senior managers ‘back to the floor’ to do customerfacing
jobs. This year, Chief
Executive, Stephen Clarke, spent
the day with the feedback team
finding out about complaints from
residents. Director of Business
Improvement, Sorrel Brookes,
spent a day with carpenter Glen
McEvoy (pictured).
Staff also knocked on over
400 doors to ask residents about
our services and how we can
improve. To find out more about
what we were told turn to page 21.
Bad behaviour not tolerated
We will not tolerate abusive or
threatening behaviour towards our
staff. The Antisocial Behaviour Action
team recently obtained a 12 month
injunction against a resident in Wood
Green after they assaulted a member
of staff. This means they could lose
their home or go to prison if they
persist with the bad behaviour.
Considerate Constructors
Our repairs operation has recently
been accredited by the Considerate
Constructors scheme. This means we
work to very high standards in a
number of areas, such as taking care
of the environment.
Repairs over the
holiday period
December 24: Normal service
December 25, 26 and
January 1: Emergency repairs
only (call 020 8348 3148)
December 27 – 31:
Emergency repairs and repairs
needed to prevent damage to your
home or where there is a possible
health, safety or security risk.
January 2: Normal service
resumes.
You can still report repairs
as usual. Customer services
are open every day apart
from Christmas, Boxing and
New Year’s day.
Visit www.homesforharingey.org 3

Decent homes
4
Getting started
Nearly 40 residents’ homes will get a
New Year makeover as we start work
on a sample of the decent homes
programme work across the borough.
The properties have been selected
following surveys by our contractors
and will start in late January 2008.
This pilot programme will help us
ensure that the right working procedures
and standards are in place before we
start the main programme in April 2008.
Between eight and ten homes in
Northumberland Park (North Tottenham),
Robert Owen House (Wood Green),
Colsterworth Road (South Tottenham),
and Enis Road (Hornsey), are included
in their report.
Each property selected has had a
detailed survey and and tenants have
been told what works will be done to
their home.
We’ll report on the progress in
future issues of Homes Zone.
Residents celebrate
partnership
The decent homes improvement programme kicked off in
style at an official signing ceremony at Tottenham Hotspur’s
football ground.
Eight local residents from across the borough attended the
Strategic Alliance Agreement ceremony last month and saw
contractors pledge, over fizzy drinks and snacks, to work together.
They also mingled with other high profile guests including
Councillor George Meehan, Leader of the Council,
Councillor Isidoros Diakides, Cabinet Member for Housing
Services, and Mike Jones, chair of the Board.
The residents invited have been involved with the selection
of the contractors from the start, so this was a chance to say a
very special thank you to them.
The agreement sets out how the decent homes partners will
work together in delivering the decent homes programme
across the borough.
What the residents had to say
Yvonne Denny, tenant: “We, the residents, have played a
fundamental part in delivering the programme to date. The next
stage will be making sure it’s delivered properly. I will be watching
the process very carefully to see that each household receives the
highest standard of works and that the resident involvement officers
are helping to make sure this happens.”
Martin Laheen, leaseholder: “I am really proud and satisfied
with this process that began for me in November 2005. I have
sacrificed personal time, energy and commitment working in a
dedicated team to choose the decent homes constructor partners to
deliver the decent homes programme to tenants and leaseholders.
It has been a long process with residents involved at every
step of the way in improving our quality of life in our local area.”

Take a look online to see whether
works are scheduled for your area
www.homesforharingey.org
Surveying for future work
We still need to survey thousands of homes to find out what
work needs to be done to them.
If you are contacted about a survey please allow the surveyor
to visit as it will help us to get an up to date report on the condition
of your home. Anyone visiting you will carry an identification
card – please check it before letting them into your home.
Not every home, block or estate will need to have a survey
or work done on them – almost six out of ten homes already
meet the decent homes standard. If your home isn’t included in
the main programme, you may still benefit from some external
works such as freshly painted windows or new external doors.
Decent homes show –
coming soon
Do you want to know what products and materials will be used
in improving your home? If so, come along to our decent homes
show. The date and venue are still to be confirmed, but it is likely
to take place in March 2008.
This is an opportunity for all council tenants and leaseholders
in Haringey to meet the decent homes partners and find out about
work they’ve done in other boroughs.
Products such as cabinet doors, worktops, and wall tiles
that will be used in homes will be on display. Although not all
homes will get work done through the decent homes programme,
the same products will be used if we need to replace these parts
in your home in the future.
Look out for more information on your estate notice board,
at libraries and at Customer Services Centres.
Funding
In November, Homes for Haringey and
Haringey Council met with representatives
from the government’s Department for
Communities and Local Government
to discuss funding for our decent
homes programme.
By the end of the year we’ll know
how much money we’ll be able to spend
on improving homes in the borough. The
decent homes programme will start in
earnest in April 2008.
The contractors
There are four building contractors –
one for each part of the borough –
and four compliance teams who will
make sure that the contractors do the
very best work in every single home.
Every tenant and leaseholder will
soon receive a letter telling them the
name of the firms that will be doing
the improvement works in their area.
The teams
South Tottenham:
Apollo and Potter
Raper Partnerships
Hornsey: Wates
and Ridge & Partners
Wood Green:
Mulalley and Rider
Levett Bucknall
North Tottenham:
Lovell and John
Rowann & Partners
Issue 8 December 2007 5

Home & community
6
Cosmopolitan
Welcome to
Haringey
English courses for
speakers of other languages
If English is not your first language,
you may be interested in the free
English courses for speakers of other
languages. Contact Haringey Adult
Learning services for information.
Phone: 020 8489 2500
Email: hals@haringey.gov.uk
Web: www.haringey.gov.uk/hals
Akhristayaasha soomaalida ah:
Haddii ingiriisidu aanay ahayn
luqaddaada koowaad, waxa laga
yaabaa inaad rabto koorsooyin ingiriisi
ah oo loogu tala galay dadka ku
hadla luqado kale. Wixii macluumaad
ah kala xidhiidh qaybta waxbarashada
dadka waawayn ee Haringey.
Next time you’re walking down the street take a minute to look
at the people around you. It won’t be long before you realise
that Haringey is one of London’s most diverse boroughs, with
people of all ages, nationalities and abilities.
Residents on Commerce Road and Partridge Way
celebrated local diversity in style recently with an ‘International
Day’, organised by Homes for Haringey, Haringey Council’s
Neighbourhood Management team and local residents.
Beverley Brisset, Tenancy Management Officer, told us
more about what went on:“Our main aim for the day was to make
sure local people know what services are available. To include
everyone, we came up with the idea for an international day: a
day with international flavours so everyone could get involved.
There really was something for everyone, from face
painting, bouncy castles and entertainment, to information stalls
manned by local organisations such as the local safer
neighbourhood teams and the fire service.”
Knowing about you
The successful international day was only possible because
we know about you, our residents.
How? We collect information about you using an
individual needs form. This helps us provide services that
are appropriate and accessible to everyone.
For example, we know that English is not some
residents’ first language, so we offer a translation service for
important leaflets and letters. We also know that some of
our residents are slow to answer the door, so we make sure
we wait a little longer if we visit you.
Anything you tell us is treated with confidentiality and is
protected by the Data Protection Act.
To receive an individual needs form, speak to your
Tenancy Management Officer.

Save time –
do it online
Instead of leaving the house during these winter months
to visit a Customer Services Centre, why not pay a visit
to our website and take a look at our range of services
online? They’re quick and easy to use, leaving you with
more time to do your seasonal shopping!
Report repairs in a few easy clicks
Have you ever struggled to describe what’s wrong in your
home to a member of our customer services staff? The online
system is picture based, so you simply click on a picture of
the item that needs to be fixed, and away you go!
Once you’ve selected what needs a repair you can
choose an appointment time that suits you.
If you are over 60 or have a disability you can request
additional services such as repairs to shower rails or toilet seats.
All council tenants and leaseholders have been sent a
PIN and password to use the online system. If you have lost
these details, contact hitsupport@homesforharingey.org
Services available at your fingertips
Report a repair
Pay your rent
Find out what works are planned for where you live
Report problems such
as pests, noise or
abandoned vehicles
Take a virtual tour of a
recently renovated flat
Make a complaint,
compliment or suggestion
Pay your service charges
Try it for yourself
Try it for yourself
www.homesforharingey.org
www.homesforharingey.org 7
Home & community
Free access to computers
Did you know you can get free
access to computers in Haringey’s
libraries? There are nine in the
borough so there’s never one to
far away.
You can find out about you
nearest library online at
www.haringey.gov.uk
Computer courses
‘First Byte’ computer courses are a
beginner’s guide to computers so
you’ll be surfing the web before
you know it. They take place in
libraries around the borough
every week so contact your
nearest one for more information.

Home & community
8
Ready, set, go!!!
The next city to host Olympic games is Beijing in China. This
didn’t stop residents on the Sandlings estate, who held their
own mini-Olympics tournament in September and took up the
challenge to get fit.
During the day residents got involved in a number of fun
games including a sack race, relay, three legged race and
egg and spoon race.
The event was held to launch the Haringey Council’s first ever
outdoor fitness area. It was put in place after consultation with
young people on the estate about how they wanted to exercise.
It has something for everyone who wants to stay fit,
including a rowing machine, step machine, static bicycle and
weights. An example of the equipment installed is pictured.
Residents also enjoyed a free barbeque and live music.
After the fun and games they had the chance to speak to stall
holders from the Primary Care Trust, Tottenham Green Leisure
Centre and the Better Haringey team.
Kid’s Competition
We’ve got an exclusively signed Tottenham Hotspur pennant
to give away. All you have to do is answer one easy question:
What’s the name of Tottenham Hotspur’s home ground?
Send your answer to:
Email: communications@homesforharingey.org
Post: Freepost RRBE-JGLA-ATLY
Communications team
Homes for Haringey
13-27 Station Road
Wood Green N22 6UW
Open to under 16’s only. Entries must be received by
January15. The winning entry will be drawn at random
from all the entries we receive. Good luck!

Fill out the questionnaire with this issue of
Homes Zone for your chance to win £100
A friendly face
Haringey has a new set of friendly faces in your
neighbourhood – Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
We caught up Jane Scanlon and Kerry Murphy, PCSOs in the
West Green ward, to find out more about what they do.
What’s different between you and police officers?
We’re not here to arrest people – we’re here to build links with
the local community. Our aim is to listen and talk to people and
find out what affects their daily life and feelings of security.
It’s not a confrontational job, but if we do see someone
committing a crime we will radio our colleagues who are
quick to attend.
How have local people reacted to you?
It has been very positive. Local people seem very happy to
have us around and they regularly talk to us about what’s going
on and who we should look out for. I think people feel safer
with us around.
How can local people help you improve the local area?
A few simple things can really help:
tell us what local problems are – we can’t do anything if
we’re not aware that there is a problem.
sign up to our newsletters which provide local
information. Speak to your local PCSO for
more information.
start or join their nearest neighbourhood
watch scheme. To find
out more about
Neighbourhood
Watch, contact
020 8345 2130.
You’re hired!
In the popular television show ‘The
Apprentice’ Alan Sugar was searching
for only one lucky individual. Here at
Homes for Haringey we’re delighted to
announce that we have recently
employed four after they successfully
completed our apprenticeship scheme.
Declan Meaney joins us as a
carpenter, Lee Daniels as a plasterer,
and Gareth Brown and Tarkan Kurter
as plumbers. Look out for them in a
home near you soon!
Homes for Haringey runs a three
or four year apprentice scheme for 17
to 24 year olds. We currently have 14
apprentices studying a variety of trades
with us (picture above). They’re all
Haringey residents and working toward
their National Vocational Qualification
(NVQ) level three in their chosen trade.
Our next intake of apprentices will be
in September next year. If you would like
to find out more, call 020 8489 5797.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
To contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods team, visit the website,
www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods
Issue 8 December 2007 9

Feature
10
MONEY TROUBLES?
Don’t bury your head in the sand!
Christmas is almost here. For many people
it’s a special time – a chance to get together
with friends and family to celebrate.
Tear away the shiny wrapping paper
however and there can be a darker side
to Christmas – a story of financial struggle
and debt.
People in Britain are officially the most
indebted ever – we owe over £216 billion
on credit cards and unsecured loans alone.
If you’re struggling, don’t bury your head in
the sand!
If you’re in debt and finding it hard to
cope, it’s important you deal with the
problem right away. The longer you ignore
the problem, the worse the situation can get
and you could end up losing your home.
How to get back on track
• Prioritise your debt. Priority debts, such as
rent arrears, are the most important. If you
don’t pay, you could lose your home.
• Write down all your income and
expenditure using the budget sheet on the
next page. The list will help identify non
essential expenses that should be cut out.
• Make sure you’re claiming any benefits,
such as housing benefit, that you’re
entitled to. Housing benefit can help
you pay your rent. If you’re unsure,
speak to an advisor at your local
Citizens Advice.
• Talk to your Income Collection Officer. If
you’re in rent arrears, you can make an
arrangement to avoid futher action.
• If you’re struggling with other debts, speak
to Citizens Advice. We work closely with
them to help residents most in need and
last year they helped residents claim
thousands of pounds in benefits they
were entitled to.
Useful contacts
To make an appointment to see your Income
Collection Officer, call 0800 195 3404.
To speak to someone about Housing or
Council Tax benefits, call Haringey Council
on 0845 071 2800.
To speak to a specialist advisor contact your
local Citizens Advice on 0870 126 4030.
To check what benefits you might be
entitled to visit www.entitledto.co.uk

✂
Budgeting basics
Step1
Make sure you write down
all the money you receive.
Don’t exaggerate any
income – it won’t do you
any good in the long run.
Step 2
Write down all your
outgoings.
If you receive housing or
Council Tax benefit, enter the
amount you actually pay.
Step 3
Calculate your budget.
If your outgoings are more
than your income, you should
seek advice.
If your income is more
than your outgoings, you can
use this amount to pay off
debts. Pay off priority debts first.
Use the budget sheet below to calculate
your budget
Step 1 Income (weekly)
Your wages
Your partner’s wages
Pensions
Income support or job seekers
allowance
Child benefit
Family credit
Other benefits
Maintenance payments
Other (include all other income)
Total Income (box A) £
Step 2 Outgoings (weekly)
Rent
Council Tax
Water rates
Gas
Food and housekeeping
Prescriptions and health expenses
Maintenance payments
TV licence
Childcare
Travel expenses
School meals and meals at work
Travel or car costs
Home insurance
Telephone
Clothing
Entertainment and leisure
Credit card payments
Other (include all other outgoings)
Total outgoings (box B) £
Step 3
Total income (box A)
Total outgoings (box B)
Money to save or pay debts
(box A minus box B)
What are priority debts?
Priority debts include rent, fuel bills, Council Tax, maintenance
payments and service charges. These must be paid first before
other debts.
www.homesforharingey.org 11
£

12
Your Board
Board meetings
Homes for Haringey invites you to attend our regular
Board meetings and Committees. All of these meetings
take place at the Civic Centre, Wood Green at 7pm
unless otherwise stated.
If you want to discuss a problem with your estate,
a member of staff will be available at Board meetings
from 6.45pm to talk to you and pass on your query to
the right person.
Please check the dates of the meetings online or by
phone beforehand in case arrangements change.
Finance and Audit Committee January 15
Board meeting January 30
Service Delivery Committee February 25
Finance and Audit Committee February 26
Board meeting March 26
Questions
If you have a question, you should send this to us at least
48 hours before the meeting.
Email governance.team@homesforharingey.org or send
by post to: Board and Committee Questions,
Homes for Haringey, 6th Floor, 225 High Road,
River Park House, Wood Green, London N22 8HQ
Agendas and reports
Copies are on our website at www.homesforharingey.org
or available from the Governance team, phone:
020 8489 1737.
60 second interview
with...
Phil Goodwin,
Resident Board member
Why did you choose to get
involved with the Board?
I think we have a great opportunity to
do something really positive in this
borough – something that will make a
real difference to people’s lives – and
I wanted to be a part of it.
It’s been a few months now
since you were elected, how
are you finding it?
I’m really enjoying it, although there’s a
lot of hard work and reading to be
done. I’m particularly interested in the
long term strategy: looking at how we
can build a better future for housing in
Haringey.
Do you feel you get heard at
Board meetings? Is what you
say valued?
Managers and independent experts
certainly appreciate what we’re saying.
We’re not there just to make up the
numbers and I already feel like I can
offer a fresh perspective
North Tottenham resident Board member
We had several applications for the
vacant post on the Board. These are
being considered at the moment. We’ll
bring you more news in the next issue.

A super story! YYour shout
In the last issue of Homes Zone we
ran a competition for kids to write a
story about how they would save
the planet. The winner is Amine Nur
from Tottenham and she wins a three
month swimming membership.
Supergirl – I am coming
I’m Supergirl and I’ll tell you how I will save the planet Earth. I came from Saturn which
is so big but very simple and plain. Your planet is very small but very
beautiful, you don’t know how to look after your planet. You treated
your planet very badly but don’t be sad I am here to help you.
I’m at the top of the sky of your planet. Look at the sky’s
colour there is none equivalent colour like it, but now look at it,
you’ve burnt too many fireworks which ruined the clouds and the
cars exhausts, oh and the factory’s smoke it is ruining the sky oh I
can’t see my way. Humans just don’t know how to look after their
planet, they just don’t know.
I think the first problem I should solve is that they should know how
precious and beautiful their planet is and that they should know that they are ruining it.
If they don’t realise these problems on their planet nothing will happen.
I will have to encourage people to cut less trees because if they don’t global
warming will carry on. All the icy mountains and more will melt and the all the
living things will die because their habitat has changed and they’re not used
to another type of place. The factories should have laws for their chemical
waste, which causes global warming and makes the environment dirtier.
I think for the body and for the environment you should use bicycles or
what about walking? Why don’t you try these? I know why, it is because
you just want it to be easy for you but don’t forget that cars make the
environment dirtier and filthier.
Your planet is so beautiful that I hope my solutions will give you an idea of
what to do. But I am still worried. If you don’t take advantage of what I have
told you – get ready we will end up as twin planets. But I really don’t want this to
happen so please look after your planet.
Issue 8 December 2007 13

Involvement
14
Do you want to get involved? Call the team on 020 8489 4463
or email resident.involvement@homesforharingey.org
What can
training do
for you?
Team building and assertiveness training
are among the many courses we run for
residents. Olukayode Fashola has attended
two so far and found them useful.
“After completing the public speaking
course I felt confident enough to be
a master of ceremony at the residents’
conference in 2006. I would never have
done this before taking the course.
The ‘producing a community
newsletter’ course helped me to revive
interest in Coldfall Residents’ Association
when attendance was going down. Now
I can encourage community cohesion and
invite people to be involved with Homes
for Haringey on a one to one level.”
To book your place on a course or
find out about what we offer, contact the
Resident Involvement team.
Sharing good ideas
Each year residents from around the country get together at the
Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) conference to talk
about how they make a difference to their homes and estates
by getting involved.
Several Homes for Haringey residents went along this year
and we caught up with one of them, Bridget Brann, to find out
what went on.
“There were many workshops this year on different topics,
such as how to deal with disputes, finding out what tenants
really want, committee skills, involving young people and how
to help tackle antisocial behaviour.
The workshops were an eye opener for me. For each one
we got into groups, discussed the issues and used role play.
Everyone had a chance to give their opinions.
I enjoyed the TPAS conference. It was an experience for
me to meet people from different boroughs in the UK and hear
their points of view.
Although it could have been a bit longer than a weekend,
I found it very interesting and would attend again.”
Congratulations to residents of Stokely Court
who won Best Community Garden at this year’s Supported
Housing in Bloom contest. Particular thanks to Alan Mottershead
and Ted Welch.
The contest takes place every summer. Gardening is great
exercise and a beautiful garden, hanging baskets or tubs of
flowers can brighten up your environment and give you and your
neighbours many months of enjoyment.
Why not get to work now and you could win a prize
next year.

Have you got the
X-Factor?
Calling all budding music makers!
How does a full day in a professional studio producing
your own music sound? Is it music to your ears? Then enter
our exciting music competition today.
Get creative and send us your best original tunes*. It
doesn’t matter what you’re in to, be it dub step, grime or pop
acoustic, we want to hear it!
The winning track will be professionally produced in a
recording studio.
Two lucky runners-up will receive brand new iPod Nanos.
The competition is open to 11 to 21 year olds who live in a
council property in Haringey. Local celebrities and young people
from our newly established youth panel will choose the winners.
For further information contact Jannine on 0208 489 4463
or email jannine.antigha@homesforharingey.org
Send your tapes or cds to:
Jannine Antigha
Resident Involvement team
Freepost RRBE-JGLA-ATLY
Homes for Haringey
13-27 Station Road
N22 6UW
Closing date:
January 28, 2008
*Entries containing
offensive or violent
language will
automatically be
disqualified, as will
entries promoting
illegal behaviour.
Youth
express
Young peoples’
priorities
At our first Youth Panel on September
12, we asked everyone what their
priorities are, and how they’d spend
millions of pounds if the decision was
up to them.
One said they’d employ
professional scouts and coaches to
train talented young people. Others
said they’d use it to tackle antisocial
behaviour or organise after school
activities.
The young people also told us they
were worried about the employment
and training opportunities in the
borough.
The Youth Panel is a meeting
we hold with local young people to
find out about their experiences on
their estate.
For details of the next Youth
Panel meeting contact Yvonne on
020 8489 4463, email
resident.involvement@
homesforharingey.org or visit the
website
www.homesforharingey.org and
go to ‘get involved’.
The officers who run the meeting
are Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
checked. Help can be provided
with travel costs if necessary.
www.homesforharingey.org 15

Involvement
16
Delegates on the training
course take a look at the
creative use of outside
space.
Resident’s story
People all over the country are looking
at ways to improve housing estates.
Helen, a Wood Green tenant, recently
attended a course to find out more.
“I went to Trafford Hall in Chester
on a neighbourhood regeneration course.
We looked at how the design of our built
environment affects our quality of life.
Where I live, kids play outside and noise
levels, particularly during the summer, are
deafening. I wanted to find out if anything
could be done to reduce the noise.
We had to bring photos: one
showing what was good about where
you live and one that was bad. For
good, I took one of the local park and
for bad, the back of my flats. We were
split into groups and, over three days,
went to see a regeneration project in
Manchester where council tenants had
been moved out to make way for private
housing and shared ownership schemes.
We looked at what made a community,
what people wanted in that community
and how the design of things affects
everything we do.
The course was taught by three
architects and lecturers from the
University of Sheffield. Our group was
made up of housing association and
council tenants, a “disability and
freedom to learn group”, a female vicar
and someone whose council home had
been taken over by a private landlord.
I found out that where I live is so
noisy because it’s all concrete, so sound
waves bounce and echo off pavements
and walls. If we had more trees and
grass it would be quieter. We do have a
small patch of grass, but it’s usually used
as a dog toilet.
Trafford Hall is a Georgian country
house. I had a brilliant time, met some
interesting people, ate great food and
had a good laugh. I learnt about
architecture, communities and good
design, both inside and outside the
home. I saw how small outdoor places
could be made into something useful as
well as beautiful. I hope to go back next
year, as they teach a course that
includes creating play areas for kids.”
There are many courses and training
programmes residents can attend for
free, such as this one at Trafford
Hall (www.traffordhall.com).
Homes for Haringey also offer free
training for residents. To find out
what we have available call
020 8489 4463. We can also
provide guidance on what external
courses are available.

If you want to get involved but you don’t know where to start,
contact the Resident Involvement team on 020 8489 4436
or email resident.involvement@homesforharingey.org
Meeting calendar Please call shortly before the
scheduled date to confirm these meetings are still on.
January
7 Tenant Participation Panel 7pm
9 Residents’ Consultative Forum 6pm
10 Asset Management 6.30pm
15 Disabled People’s Group
(Winkfield Resource Centre) 7pm
15 Tenancy and Estate Management Panel 7pm
28 Leaseholder’s Panel 7pm
February
4 Tenant Participation Panel 7pm
7 Asset Management 6.30pm
9 Scattered property consultation event 9am – 1pm
25 Leaseholder’s Panel 7pm
March
3 Tenant Participation Panel 7pm
5 Residents’ Consultative Forum 6pm
6 Asset Management 6.30pm
Meetings are held at the Civic Centre unless otherwise
stated. Most meetings last around two hours but some are
longer. To confirm, please call 020 8489 4463
or email resident.involvement@homesforharingey.org
Calling all residents in street properties!
On Saturday February 9 we’re holding a special event
for residents in street properties. If you don’t live on an
estate this means you!
The event will include information on decent
homes work, how to access Homes for Haringey and
Haringey Council services and how to get involved in
our work.
To attend please contact us to register.
Phone: 020 8489 4463
Email: Resident.involvement@homesforharingey.org
Newlands House
makeover
Local residents from Hornsey got
involved with a team of builders to
clean and refurbish their courtyard at
Newlands House this summer. The
group transformed the estate courtyard
into an area to be proud of.
Their efforts were part of a
nationwide annual community day
event organised by Wates Group,
one of Homes for Haringey’s four
decent homes contractors.
HOOPLA!
Residents who attended a
meeting for the future of resident
involvement got stuck in with this
team building game involving
hooplas. The game was a test of
creative and lateral thinking.
Issue 8 December 2007 17

Leaseholders
18
Save time and do it online See page 7
For decent homes news see pages 4 and 5
New Board member
Member
This summer residents elected new
representatives to Homes for Haringey
Board. Anton Shelupanov was the
successful leasehold candidate. He has
now been elected Vice-Chair of the Board.
We grabbed ten minutes of his time to find
out more about him and how he sees his
work on the Board.
Why did you want
to join the Board?
My present job at King’s
College London involves
government social policy
so I have an interest in
housing issues. I hope to
use my knowledge to
contribute to the work of
Homes for Haringey and
give something back to my local community.
I would also like to make sure leaseholders’
views are understood as we move closer
to starting the decent homes work.
What can you bring to the Board?
First and foremost I bring my experience
as a resident and leaseholder living in
South Tottenham. I also hope to draw on
my experience in the fields I’ve worked in,
including public health management and
security sector reform.
How have you found it so far?
It’s been a very steep learning curve, with
a lot of information to take in, but I have
found it all very interesting. I’m enjoying
meeting the people involved in running the
organisation and I hope I will be able to
make a significant input.
What would you say to fellow
leaseholders?
I think it’s important they get involved and
make their voices heard. Homes for
Haringey is about to embark on a huge
investment programme so everyone must
work together to get the best possible results.
Leaseholder Panel elects new chair
Congratulations and welcome to Nick Martin-Clark, the newly elected Chair of the
Leaseholder Panel. He takes over from Home Ownership team manager, Nesan
Thevanesan, who has chaired the panel since it was set up in January of last year.
Nesan said: “I’m pleased Nick is now chair. The group has made good progress
involving leaseholders in Homes for Haringey’s work and I’m sure Nick will continue this”.
Nick added: “The panel is the main place for leaseholders to discuss Homes for
Haringey’s policies. It gives us a real opportunity to put questions to lead officers and
have an input on issues such as payment options, leaseholder opt-outs on windows,
and consultation over the Decent Homes programme”.
Anne Goodhew, Secretary of Edgecot Grove Residents’ Association, has agreed to
be the Vice-Chair. To find out when the Leaseholder Panel is next meeting, see page 17.
Stay safe in your home – get a gas safety check
– see page 21

From 14 December 2007, if you want to sell your home, regardless
of its size, you must have a Home Information Pack (HIP).
What’s important to you?
That’s what we asked at a recent Leaseholder Panel so we
could find out what we should discuss at future meetings.
The list of priorities includes:
regular updates on the decent
homes programme
how consultations will be carried out
better payment options for
major works
the government’s Respect agenda
review of equalities policies
improvements to estate services.
With so much coming up over the next few months, the
Leaseholder Panel will continue to meet monthly.
We want you to get involved! This is an important time for
leaseholders, so call 020 8489 3487 or email
bruce.nicholas@homesforharingey.org to come along to the
next meeting.
Your questions answered
Question
My actual bill for service charges this year was significantly
higher than my estimate. Why is this?
Answer
There are several reasons for the increase:
In 2005 we found we had to increase service charges to
cover our management costs. The Leaseholder Forum agreed
that the increases should be brought in over a three year
period. This is the final year of the staged increases.
Estate improvement works were included in your actuals bill
rather than being billed separately. This means you have no
extra administration charges to pay.
ADVERTISEMENT
Haringey Leaseholders’ Association
Run by Leaseholders for Leaseholders
Haringey Leasehold
Association (HLA) is the one
independent organisation committed
to upholding the rights of all Haringey
Council leaseholders and fighting on
your behalf against the serious
financial challenges ahead.
The HLA has already won
significant concessions for
leaseholders on representation,
consultation and installing their own
windows, through campaigning and
demonstrating. But we are only as
strong as you make us.
Help us to help you now.
Please send a contribution to the
address below (recommended
annual amount of £20, payable to
the HLA). Feel free to attend our
committee meetings held the first
Friday of each month at 7pm in the
Civic Centre, Wood Green (next
one 4th of January 2008).
Contact us at PO Box 55222,
London N22 9BQ or on
0845 020 4252.
Email:
help@haringeyleaseholders.org.uk
website:
www.haringeyleaseholders.org.uk
Run by Leaseholders for Leaseholders
www.homesforharingey.org 19

Problem page
20
Pam’s problem page
This month’s letter is
from a tenant who has
a neighbour with an
overgrown hedge.
Do you need
Pam’s help?
Then write to:
Pam’s problem page
Communications team
Homes for Haringey
13-27 Station Road
London N22 6UW
or email Pam at:
communications@
homesforharingey.org
Dear Pam,
I am writing to report an overgrown hedge in my neighbour’s
property. It is so overgrown it is blocking the pavement and
attracting rubbish.
Please can you get the hedge cut back as its getting dark
earlier now and I feel unsafe when I go out.
Thank you for you help.
Name and address supplied
Pam’s reply...
Thank you for your letter.
I have now looked into the problem and have found out that the
house is privately owned. This means that Homes for Haringey is
unable to cut back the hedge for you. However I have reported
the matter to Haringey Council’s Street Enforcement team.
There are seven areas within Haringey each with a
dedicated street enforcement officer and anyone can report
street issues such as dog fouling or dumping directly to them.
Details of the person reporting a problem will be kept
confidential.
Street enforcement officers patrol the whole of the
borough and report any problems that they see. Officers
prosecute offenders for fly-tipping, graffiti, littering, dog fouling,
and also deal with waste on private land and street trading.
They have taken details of the address where the hedge
is located and will be contacting you soon to discuss the
problem and the action that they can take.
I hope that the team will be able to resolve your
problem swiftly. You can contact them on 020 8489 5230.
Best Wishes,
Pam
This feature is based on a real query, some details may have
been changed to protect confidentiality.

Comments, compliments and complaints
Knocking on tenant’s doors
We’re always looking for ways to improve our services to you.
The best way to find out is to ask, so during National
Customer Services week we knocked on hundreds of your
doors to do just that.
You said...
Estate cleaning has improved, but it’s still a top priority.
You said...
Antisocial behaviour is a problem on some estates.
You said...
Communal and external repairs are not dealt with
quickly enough.
We said...
We need time to look carefully at what you’ve told us. At the
moment we’re making our plans for 2008/09 so we’ll use
your answers to guide what we do. We’ll bring you another
update in the next issue of Homes Zone.
Repairs prize winner
Each time we complete a repair we send
you a customer care form. Completed
forms are entered into a prize draw. Here
are the recent winners.
July: Ms D, Hewitt Avenue
August: Mrs B, Woodside Road
September: Ms N, Ivatt Way
October: Mr G, Albany Close
Thanks for the service
We always like to hear when our staff
provide a good service. Residents from
the Edgecot Grove Residents’ Association
were so impressed by the service of Alex
Ahajeum, their Estate Services Officer,
they wrote to us. Here’s what they said:
“We’d like to nominate Alex for an
award for his devotion to his work on
Edgecot Grove. He’s been here a
number of years and he takes great care
to look after our small community. He has
kept the estate in pristine condition, come
rain or shine.
Alex knows everyone who lives here.
Older residents hold him in high regard
for the outstanding support he gives them
especially when he helps them with
heavy shopping.
To sum up, Alex is
caring, supportive and
diligent, working to the
highest standards. He
really is a wonderful
caretaker.”
Well done
Alex!
If you’d like to pay a
compliment, contact
the feedback team on
020 8489 4337,
4321 or 4235 or email
feedback@homesforhariongey.org
Issue 8 December 2007 21

Performance
22
How safe is your home?
Where would we be without gas? Gas
helps us live comfortably but it can also
take life away.
Every year 50 people are killed in
the UK by carbon monoxide poisoning
caused by poorly maintained equipment.
To keep you safe in your homes, we
provide free yearly gas checks for tenants.
This a legal requirement and residents who
refuse entry may be taken to court.
When your home needs a check we
will write to you. Please make sure you
keep the appointment or call the contractor
if you cannot make the time.
Your area Gas Telephone
company number
Broadwater Farm, TSG Limited 020 8527 7974
Hornsey, South 020 8527 7975
Tottenham,
Wood Green
North Tottenham
Supported Housing,
hostels and all
TA Horn Limited 020 8275 3080
private sector housing Purdy Limited 01992 703410
Our gas
servicing
performance
98.2%*
–––––––––––––-------------–
ALMOST THERE
–––––––––––––--------------–
We aim to do gas safety
checks in 100% of
tenant’s homes.
* at 30 September 2007
If you’re a leaseholder, or a leaseholder
who sublets, you are responsible for
making sure your gas appliances are safe.
All gas safety checks must be carried out
by a CORGI registered engineer. This is a
legal requirement.
Stay safe – watch for the
warning signs.
If you notice any of the following danger
signs, turn off your appliance immediately
and call your contractor (numbers below).
Soot or staining marks on or around the
appliance.
A lazy yellow/orange flame.
A higher level of condensation than
normal in the room the appliance is
installed.
Anyone in the house experiencing
headaches, sleepiness, feeling sick or
pains in the chest when using a gas
appliance.
Target 100%
To help us achieve
100% we’re doing
evening visits and
bringing in more
resources to help
us check more homes.

A–Z
useful contacts
To report a repair, or enquire about any
other Homes for Haringey services,
call 0800 195 3404
www.homesforharingey.org/GRO
Minicom: 020 8489 2088
Emergency repairs (out of office hours) 020 8348 3148
Abandoned vehicle
reporting
0845 073 6904
Allotments
020 8489 5662
Antisocial behaviour
0845 671 1177
Citizens Advice Bureaux
0870 126 4030
www.adviceguide.org.uk
Council Tax
0845 073 3557
Crime Stoppers
All calls are anonymous
0800 555 111
Graffiti hotline
0845 073 1979
Haringey Council
020 8489 0000
Customer
Service Centres
Open Monday to Friday,
8.45am to 5pm
Home Ownership team 1
020 8489 3048
020 8489 5994
(for leasehold enquiries
about homes in Hornsey,
Broadwater Farm and
North Tottenham)
Home Ownership team 2
020 8489 5976
020 8489 3042
(for leasehold enquiries about
homes in South Tottenham
and Wood Green)
Home Sales team
020 8489 3357
Homelessness and housing
advice
0845 076 2700
Housing and Council Tax
Benefit
0845 071 2800
Hornsey
Broadway Annexe
Hornsey Town Hall
Crouch End, N8 9JJ
Win £100! Just fill out the
questionnaire with this issue
Leisure services
020 8489 5301
Parking
0845 073 1234
Police stations (local)
0208 808 1212
Resident Involvement team
020 8489 4463
resident.involvement@
homesforharingey.org
Rubbish and waste
020 8885 7700
Sheltered housing repairs
0800 195 3404
Supported housing
assessment
020 8489 2367
North Tottenham
639 High Road
Tottenham, N17 8BD
Wood Green
48 Station Road
Wood Green, N22 7TY
www.homesforharingey.org 23
Contacts
Monday: 8am – 6pm
Tuesday: 8am – 8pm
Wednesday: 8am – 8pm
Thursday: 8am – 8pm
Friday: 8am – 6pm
Supported housing
management
020 8489 1310
Broadwater Farm
Neighbourhood Office
108c Gloucester Road
Tottenham, N17 6GZ
Opening times:
Monday
9.00am – 12 noon
2.00pm – 4.45pm
Tuesday
9.00am – 12 noon
2.00pm – 4.45pm
Wednesday
5.00pm – 7.00pm
Thursday
9.00am – 12 noon
2.00pm – 4.45pm
Friday
9.00am – 12 noon
South Tottenham
(next to Seven Sisters
tube station) Apex House
820 Seven Sisters Road
Tottenham, N15 5PQ

Please tell us if you would like a copy of this Home Zone magazine in another language that is not listed
above or in any of the following formats, and send the form to the Freepost address below.
In large print On audio tape In Braille
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Albanian
Homes Zone is a magazine containing news and useful information from Homes for Haringey. For a
free copy in your own language, please check our website, or tick the box below, fill in the form and
return it to the freepost Arabic address.
Albanian
Arabic
Homes Zone është një revistë që përmban lajme
dhe informata të dobishme nga Homes for
. " "
Haringey. Për një kopje falas në gjuhën tuaj, ju
lutem shikoni në faqen tonë të internetit, ose
shënjoni kutinë e mëposhtme, plotësoni
formularin dhe dërgojeni tek adresa me postim
falas.
. " "
freepost
Bengali Cantonese
French
French
Homes Zone est un magazine qui contient des
nouveautés et des informations utiles de Homes
for Haringey. Pour en obtenir un exemplaire
gratuit dans votre langue, veuillez consulter notre
site Web, ou cocher la case ci-dessous,
compléter le formulaire et le renvoyer à l’adresse
Kurdish
au port payé ci-dessous.
Kurdish
Homes Zone kovareke Homes for Haringey e ku
nûçe û agahîya kêrhatî tê de heye. Ji bo
kopîyeke bêpere ya bi zimanê we, ji kerema
xwe li websîteya me binêrin, an jî qutîka jêrîn
iaret bikin, formê tije bikin û ji nevnîana posta
Somali bêpere re biînin.
Somali
Homes Zone waa jariidad uu ku qoranyahay war iyo
macluumaad waxtar leh oo ka yimi Homes for
Haringey. Si aad u hesho koobbi lacag la’aan ah oo
luqaddaada ku qoran, fadlan ka eeg goobtayada
internetka, ama calaamadi sanduuqa hoose, buuxi
foomka oo ku soo celi cinwaanka boostiisu lacag
la’aanta tahay ee hoose.
Telephone: Email:
Greek
Please return to: Freepost RLXS-XZGT-UGRJ Haringey Council,
Translation and Interpretation Services, 8th Floor, River Park House,
225 High Road, London N22 8HQ
Greek
Homes Zone µ
µ µ
Homes for Haringey.
, µ
µ µ
, µ
µ µ µ.
Portuguese
Portuguese
Homes Zone é uma revista contendo notícias e
informações úteis da Homes for Haringey (Lares
para Haringey). Para uma cópia gratuita em
sua própria língua, por favor verifique nossa
website, ou marque o quadradinho abaixo,
Turkish preencha o formulário e retorne-o para o
endereço postal gratuito.
Turkish
Homes Zone, Homes for Haringey hakkında
haberler ve faydalı bilgiler içeren bir dergidir. Bu
derginin Türkçe sürümünü ücretsiz olarak
edinmek isterseniz, lütfen web sitemizi ziyaret
edin ya da aaıdaki kutucuu iaretleyip formu
doldurun ve aaıdaki freepost adresine geri
gönderin.
Homes for Haringey uses recycled
paper as part of its commitment to
improving the environment.
Homes for Haringey offers this translating and interpreting service to Haringey residents. We can translate this document into one language per resident ONLY.
Homes for Haringey Ltd. No 19263 12/07 Published by Haringey Council’s Communications Unit