HFI NEWS - Islington Council

HFI 

NEWS 

SPRING 2012 

including 

Home Owner 

for leaseholder news 

End of 

Islington’s 

largest ever 

housing 

revamp 

www.homesforislington.org.uk 

IS424-HFI-News-Spring-2012-16pp-HomeOwner-v9.indd 1 02/03/2012 15:41

HFI 

NEWS 

SPRING 2012 

2 

Contents 

2 Message from HFI’s Board of 

Directors 

3 Goodbye from HFI 

4 Help is around the corner 

5 Resident engagement and 

consultation 

6 Community vegetable gardens 

7 Tackling housing fraud 

8 Safer neighbourhoods 

9-12 Home Owner News 

13 Contact Us 

14 Changes to working tax credits 

15 Partnering to success 

16 Young and active 

If you would like this 

publication in another 

language, large print, 

audio tape, compact disc 

or in Braille please contact 

your Area Housing Office. 

Visit Contact our HFI website News at at 

hfi.communications@homesforislington.org.uk 


Local news - making a difference 

Goodbye from HFI 

Message from HFI’s Board of Directors 

From 1 April 2012, responsibility for housing management services will transfer from 

Homes for Islington back to Islington Council. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank HFI residents and staff for their input, 

support, hard work and dedication over the last eight years. This has resulted in HFI being 

placed amongst the top ten highest performing housing management organisations in 

the country and enabled us to complete the delivery of the Decent Homes Programme to 

benefit the residents of Islington. 

We hope that you will continue to support the council as they aim to further improve 

services to all residents. 

Business as usual 

Things are unlikely to look different when the council takes over in April. 

This is because the council wants to focus on the services you receive and 

on providing more affordable homes. 

Name Surname 

Housing and Adult 

Social Services 

HFI Board of Directors 

So the HFI logo will not disappear overnight - things 

like uniforms and some estate signage will only 

change when they need to be replaced. 

There will be new signs on our area housing 

offices and new identity badges for staff (like 

the one shown here). 

Our email and web addresses will 

eventually change but you’ll still be able to 

use the old ones until you get used to them. 

The freephone number, 0800 694 3344, is for “Housing 

Direct” which will be the new name for our call centre (previously 

known as HFI Direct). 

Family moves to new family home 

This will be the last edition of HFI News following 

the decision to return housing services to council 

management. 

We thought we would sign off by remembering some of 

the key achievements over the last eight years and assure 

you that we will continue to deliver the same level of service 

from April when we return in-house. 

It also marks an opportunity to say goodbye to our Chief 

Executive Eamon McGoldrick. Under Eamon’s stewardship, 

HFI became one of the few large inner city landlords to 

achieve a 3 star award by the Housing Inspectorate for its 

services, a factor that led to the award of £175million by 

the Government to complete the upgrade of over 24,000 

homes. 

• When HFI opened its doors in 2004, 52% of our tenants 

were satisfied with the services they received. By April 2011 

this figure had risen to 72%. 

• As stated above, we completed the Decent Homes 

Programme on time and to budget, with 14,000 new 

kitchens, 9,000 new bathrooms and 16,000 window 

renewals/improvements. Over 90% of our tenants have 

stated they are happy with these works and over 87% were 

satisfied with their accommodation in 2011 compared with 

64% in 2004. 

• Our reputation as an organisation with a 3 star award 

meant that we were successful in obtaining funding to build 

new council homes in Islington on behalf of the council. 

With 22 units completed so far it is planned that 236 

homes will be provided by 2014. 

• Over the last seven years, we have completed 1,525 housing 

investigations of tenancy fraud resulting in the recovery of 

700 properties for re-allocation to residents in housing need. 

• We have reduced rent arrears from £8.2m in 2004 to 

£3.2m in 2011 meaning we have more money to spend on 

providing services. 

• We have worked hard to help those who have problems 

paying their rent with nearly 1,000 people a year receiving 

free welfare advice and support at our offices. At the same 

time as increasing our rental income, we have reduced the 

number of evictions from 231 in 2004 to 48 in 2011 and 

made sure that those who need help get it. 

• HFI has one of the best records in the country for re-letting 

empty properties with an average of 20 days in 2010/11. 

This reduces rent loss and lessens the time that our 

prospective tenants have to spend in expensive temporary 

accommodation. 

• Through the Arsenal Positive Futures partnership over 1,000 

young people a year are involved in a range of activities 

across nine estates, from arts and drama projects, football 

and homework clubs, to coaching and job mentoring 

opportunities. 

• Nearly 1,000 residents signed up to the Resident 

Involvement Register enabling them to have a say on how 

our services are run. 

• We have created 40 large family sized homes by 

deconverting street properties, creating an additional 125 

bedrooms with 206 additional bed spaces. 

Chief executive at arts on estates event 

Visit our website at 


3 

IS424-HFI-News-Spring-2012-16pp-HomeOwner-v9.indd 2-3 02/03/2012 15:41



Help is around the corner 

Resident engagement 

We work closely with Islington Council’s 

Occupational Therapy Team to adapt 

bathrooms and kitchens, install ramps, and 

make any changes for those residents who 

need these works to improve their quality of 

life and give them some independence back. 

Once an Occupational Therapist has made 

their assessment, our surveyors will work 

out how adaptations can be installed in the 

property before making the changes. 

For example, one tenant from Offord Road 

found it difficult to get in and out of the bath. 

Having been assessed by an Occupational 

Therapist, we surveyed her flat and replaced 

the bath with a walk in level access shower. 

She said she was, “very satisfied with the 

shower and all the workmen involved.” 

To request an occupational therapy 

assessment, please phone 

020 7527 2299, Option 1 or email 

access.service@islington.gov.uk 

Before... 

... and after! 

and consultation 

The council wrote to all tenants and leaseholders in December 2011 

to inform you that housing management will be bought back under 

direct council control in April 2012. Residents were invited to put their 

names forward to help shape the way residents have their say on how 

their homes are managed in the future. 

Almost 200 people responded to say they would like to take part 

which was a great response. The council would like to say a big thank 

you to everyone. A series of events took place throughout January. 

Residents were asked about their experiences of getting involved, 

what barriers they may have faced and how they would like to get 

involved in the future. 

authorities to find out how residents there get involved in making 

decisions. These visits took place during February. 

After the visits and discussion groups the council put together proposals 

that were discussed with residents, staff and elected members. From 

this the new arrangements for resident engagement and consultation 

are being finalised. 

The proposals will be presented to the council’s executive on 27 

March 2012 and implemented during the summer through a phased 

approach. These plans will be available to see on the council’s website 

at www.islington.gov.uk/housingreview 

For more information please call 020 7527 7713 or email 

bryony.willett@islington.gov.uk 

Some residents said they would like to take part in visits to other local 

Resident training success 

A look back over 2011... 

Over the past year Kier has worked closely in partnership with 

us. The repairs contract began in October 2010 with the aim to 

maintain approximately 29,000 properties in the borough with an 

annual value of £13.5m. 

In addition to that contract, other works are to take place including 

gas servicing repairs, replacements and upgrades, maintaining estate 

security (CCTV) and kitchen-sink waste disposals systems. 

Looking back over the past 12 months we take a glimpse at some of 

the work Kier has been involved in: 

Work progress and completion card 

This new style call back card is left with the resident after every 

repair explaining the work that has been done, any follow on 

works that are required and who to contact if you have any further 

problems. The card can also be translated, issued in large print, 

Braille, audio tape or compact disc on request. 

Drain blockages 

Like the damp and condensation workshops we reported on in 

the Winter 2011 issue of the newsletter, Kier has been working 

with us in developing and distributing leaflets on how to avoid 

blockages. These have been given to all plumbing staff to be 

left with residents. By helping residents understand what causes 

blockages (e.g. fat being poured down sinks) and simple steps to 

avoid causing them, we have reduced the number of call outs to 

deal with these issues. 

Handyperson service 

Are you over 60 or have a disability? If you answered yes then 

you may qualify for this service. 

Origin Housing are offering a handyperson service for Islington 

residents who are vulnerable, disabled or elderly, and need 

small repairs done in their home. There is no charge for the 

labour; the only cost will be for materials and parking fees 

(including congestion zone charge if applicable). 

Types of works include: 

• small repairs 

• security 

• minor plumbing 

• general garden maintenance 

• changing a light bulb 

• draft proofing 

• small carpentry jobs 

For more information call Origin’s care & support service 

on 020 7284 5450 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) or email 

care.repair@originhousing.org.uk 

47 residents recently completed training on topics ranging from 

getting more involved in your local community, running effective 

meetings, improving your negotiation skills, managing money and 

improving your potential and professional effectiveness. 

Residents who attended the courses said, “It was a great help in 

building my confidence in the future running of my tenants’ and 

residents’ association” and “thanks for an excellent course, it 

Cllr Murray and Theresa Coyle MBE with residents who attended training courses 

exceeded my expectations.” 

More training sessions will be provided with a full programme 

available from April 2012. 

If you are interested in knowing what training is available phone 

020 7527 4079 or email 

service.development@homesforislington.org.uk 

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5 



Community fruit and 

vegetable gardens 

With help from Groundwork, an unused and overgrown 

area on the Walter Sickert Estate has been transformed 

into a community fruit and vegetable garden. With the 

involvement of around 28 households on the estate and 

with help from children from The Essex Road Pre-School 

Nursery the unused area is now a community garden with 

33 wood planters growing wildflowers, native bulbs and 

soft fruit bushes and vegetables. 

Similarly, a disused pitch at the back of Rydston Close, on the 

Boston and Nailour Estates has been transformed into a community 

garden. 

With funding from The Cripplegate Foundation and with help from 

the TRA the overgrown area was cleared of rubbish and weeds 

and has now been transformed into a community garden with a 

number of raised planting beds, fruit trees and a large poly tunnel. 

And with funding from the sustainability fund, two large rainwater 

storage tanks were installed which are supplied from the roofs of 

the nearby houses. 

These community projects help improve your estates by making 

use of disused areas and creating productive food growing sites, 

helping to bring communities together. 

We are always seeking new volunteers to assist with running and 

maintaining the gardens, helping to sow new seeds, planting for 

the year to come and watering and weeding the gardens. 

If you are interested in getting involved and helping out contact 

the Community and Service Development Officer at your local area 

housing office. 

Picture shows the 

Walter Sickert community garden 

during the transformation. 

Penn Road residents are 

doing it for themselves 

Over the last few years, 

residents at 1 Penn Road in 

Holloway have been looking 

after the garden of their 

estate. 

Involvement from residents 

increased through the 

Edible Islington scheme 

transforming the back area 

of the estate for community 

food growing. With 

encouragement from Penn 

Road Residents Association, 

it was agreed that they 

would look after all the 

garden and get paid for it. 

Keith Hodgson, Chair of Penn Road 

Residents Association and Jacqueline 

Hunter, resident of 1 Penn Road. 

Following a consultation with 

everyone on the estate, residents met with HFI and Islington Greenspace 

to agree what they would do and how they would go about it. 

Resident Jacqueline Hunter says with the money they receive they’ll buy 

more plants for the garden, seeds and some better tools. 

For more information contact Mark Rowe on 020 7527 7260 or email 

mark.rowe@islington.gov.uk 

Shared 

Ownership 

Scheme 

Would you like to own your 

own home but are struggling 

to get on the housing ladder? 

If so, the council is selling 

one bedroom and studio 

properties suitable for 

single people or couples 

on a shared ownership basis. 

Priority will be given to existing Islington social housing tenants 

and their children, people currently on the council’s housing 

waiting list and key workers. 

Properties are currently being advertised on 

www.firststepslondon.org.uk. 

For more details call Home Ownership on 020 7527 7705 or 

email homeownership@homesforislington.org.uk 

Volunteers needed 

We are committed to 

working with you to make 

community centres hubs of 

the local community. 

The majority of our centres 

are managed by local resident 

volunteers and with more 

than 50 centres in the borough, they provide a vital resource hosting 

community events, playgroups, health and fitness classes, youth clubs 

and much more. 

Volunteers are always needed to help with running and maintaining 

these valuable local centres so please get in touch if you are interested 

in helping out. You can find out about the centres near you on our 

website: click on ‘Your Housing Area’ then ‘Community Centres on 

Housing Estates’ on the left-hand side of the page. 

Would you like to move to a 

smaller home? 

Islington Council offers assistance to help you move to a smaller home. 

You could gain £500 per bedroom that you give up, plus financial help 

with your move. Call the Housing Options Team on 020 7527 4140 or 

email rehousing@islington.gov.uk 

HomeSwapper 

Islington Council is working with HomeSwapper to give additional 

help to tenants who would like to move locally or out of the borough. 

For more information or help with finding mutual exchange partners 

contact Sue Haire on 020 7527 4372 or email 

sue.haire@islington.gov.uk 


Tackling housing fraud 

Tackling illegal subletting 

The government is considering taking a tougher line on council 

tenants who rent their homes out illegally by making it a criminal 

offence. Subletting your property is also unfair to the growing list 

of local people in genuine need of a council home. We are already 

working closely with other social landlords in the borough to 

tackle the problem. Below are three recent successes: 

Fraud doesn’t pay 

Following a national records-checking exercise, one of our tenants 

was discovered to be subletting her Islington property while 

renting another one from The City of London. She gave up her 

Islington property and was also taken to court by The City of 

London who evicted her on grounds of fraud. 

Caught out by a tenancy audit 

During a recent audit a man claiming to be our tenant aroused our 

suspicions as he was much younger than our records suggested 

he should be. Further investigations revealed that the actual tenant 

owned two properties in Enfield. When we challenged him he 

surrendered his Islington property. 

No Right to Buy 

We discovered that an HFI leaseholder, who bought their home 

under the Right to Buy Scheme (RTB), already owned a property 

in East London at the time they applied for their lease. Because 

they were legally required to tell us about their other home when 

they made their original application we took them to court. They 

were found to have acted fraudulently and their four bedroom 

property was returned to HFI. 

If you know of someone committing housing fraud let us know: 

Phone: 020 7527 7432 (24 hour hotline) 

Email: housing.fraud@homesforislington.org.uk or go online to 

www.homesforislington.org.uk and complete the referral form. 

If you think you could be an illegal tenant you can contact the 

Housing Aid Centre on 020 7527 2000 or email 

advice.housing@islington.gov.uk 

All reports are treated in the strictest confidence. 

Looking Local is a national service that offers 

access to a range of local information and services 

through digital TV and mobile. 

Get the latest traffic news, look for a job, access public 

services (including reporting housing repairs) from 

organisations including Islington Council, and search for 

local information and advice. 

From 1 April 2012 digital TV will be in every UK home 

and Looking Local will also be available on smart phones, 

iPhones and most social media apps. 

To find out more visit www.lookinglocal.gov.uk 

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7 



Alan sparkles on the 

Hawthorne Estate 

Alan Saterlay, the caretaker for the Hawthorne Close Estate, has been 

chosen by residents as the caretaker of the year 2012. 

Spring 2012 

Alan was nominated by residents and staff, for his work on the estate. He 

has won praise from many residents for consistently providing an excellent 

service, and taking pride and personal responsibility for delivering high 

quality work. 

Are you a leaseholder 

Residents have been 

impressed with the level 

of service they receive 

and his high standard of 

professional and ethical 

behaviour. A resident 

who nominated Alan 

said, “Mr Saterlay is 

doing an excellent job of 

keeping the estate clean 

and tidy. He is pleasant 

and cheerful and always 

willing to help in any 

way he can. His work 

is outstanding and the 

estate is immaculate”. 

Thank you to all those 

residents who nominated 

for this year’s caretaker of 

the year award. 

Community 

payback 

Over the last four years we have worked 

with Probation Services in the delivery of 

Community Payback schemes. During this 

time we have undertaken several projects 

with the aim of providing environmental 

improvements to your estates. Projects 

include internal and external redecoration 

works to Community Centres, and the 

clearing of overgrown shrubbery and weeds. 

Similar projects are planned for the future. 

Community Payback is a scheme run by 

the Probation Service nationally and is 

community work carried out by ex-offenders 

under the supervision of probation officers. 

All projects combine hard work and present 

the ex-offender with the opportunity to 

develop important life skills. The projects 

help to reduce the risk of re-offending, 

making our communities safer. It’s also a 

Birchmore Hall was painted inside, with a mural of the London skyline 

Some adults may be more at risk than others 

because they have disabilities, mental health issues, 

are ill for a long time or are old. 

This can make it harder for them to protect themselves 

from abuse. The abuse they experience can be upsetting 

and frightening. It may be physical, sexual, emotional, 

institutional or financial. It might be neglect or 

discrimination. 

There are warning signs that you can look out for: bruises 

that are hard to explain; sudden changes in the person’s 

behaviour, such as becoming depressed or anxious; they 

may be dirty or not have the right clothes. 

If you think that a vulnerable adult could be being 

neglected or abused, please contact the Adult Social 

Services Access Team on 020 7527 2299 or email 

access.service@islington.gov.uk. 

In an emergency, call 999. You can report your concern 

anonymously. 

way for the offender to show that they are 

giving something back to the community for 

the crime they committed. 

Such schemes help us to make the most of 

scarce resources as the Payback teams offer 

their labour at no cost allowing money to be 

put to good use elsewhere on your estates. 

How to report ASB 

Report anti-social behaviour (ASB) by: 

• Visiting or calling your area 

housing office during normal 

working hours 

• Calling the ASB hotline number 

020 7527 7272 

• Completing our ASB online form 

via our website 


We take reports of anti-social 

behaviour seriously and will 

take the strongest action against 

perpetrators of ASB. 

looking to sublet your 

property? 

This service is offered to 

leaseholders who let, or are 

planning to let their property 

on the open market to private 

professional tenants. 

We work with a lettings agency to 

market and advertise the property 

in order to find the best tenants 

and then manage the property on 

behalf of the leaseholder. 

Mr Burns who is using us to manage his property said, 

“The staff are very helpful and informative. They do what 

they say they will and always keep in touch. I am very 

happy with the service I am receiving and will be staying 

for a long time.” 

A competitive rate 

Together with the marketing of your property to secure 

the best tenants, our fixed rate lettings fee, and a 

comprehensive range of inclusive services this is the best 

value for money on offer to landlords in Islington. 

We charge landlords a one-off fee of £750 plus VAT for 

lettings. The service offered by the lettings agent who is 

managed by us consists of: 

• marketing your property to secure the best 

tenants 

• arranging and supervising viewings 

• full credit check on potential tenants 

• tenancy signing 

• collecting the deposit and administration fee 

• we charge a 5% plus VAT management fee on the monthly 

rent collected 

If you would like a no obligation rental valuation for your property, more 

information or just an informal chat, please contact Kay Morgan on 

020 7527 7752 or email kay.morgan@homesforislington.org.uk 

Leaseholders focus groups 

Leaseholders focus groups are held on a quarterly basis. 

You can join a group and tell us how we can 

improve services to you by contacting Kay Morgan at 

kay.morgan@homesforislington.org.uk or 

phone 020 7527 7752. 

8 





9 


Home Owner News 

Service charges - estate 

cleaning 


Small improvements that can 

save home owners money 

We calculate your service charge bill 

based on the services received in the 

preceding year. 

Caretaking service 

This is a regular service provided to clean 

estates and blocks. Caretakers will sweep and 

mop shared halls, porches, landings and stairs. 

They will also clean inside windows on shared 

doors, landings and staircases in addition 

to other duties such as changing bulbs and 

removing litter. 

The charge for your caretaking service is 

based on the number of caretaking hours 

that your block receives plus a proportion of 

other caretaking related costs that have been 

identified by the area housing office. We 

have to factor in the cost of wages, vehicles, 

caretaking equipment and cleaning materials 

as well as other management costs. A full 

breakdown is available on request. 

Adjustments are made according to the 

property size and the number of units in your 

block so that we identify a cost per unit which is what we pass on 

to you. 

Estate 

clearance 

service 

The team is responsible 

for removing bulky 

items from land 

managed by us. This 

is a responsive service 

which ensures that flytipped 

items are moved 

quickly and are not left 

to become health and 

safety or fire hazards. 

You pay for this service 

based on the number 

of collections to your 

block or estate. 

Mechanised caretaking 

This service uses a mechanised vehicle to sweep estate roads 

and other large concrete or paved areas. The caretaker can then 

concentrate on other tasks. You pay for this service based on its 

use on your estate. 

Jet washing 

This is a responsive service used to clean off graffiti or spilled 

paint. We also use the service to deep clean areas such as the 

dustbin chambers when required. You pay for this service based 

on its use on your estate. 

Estate Services Support 

contact numbers 

Highbury House East (formerly Upper Street) 

020 7527 5371 or 020 7527 5376 

Highbury House West (formerly Lyon Street) 

020 7527 6875 or 020 7527 6861 

Holland Walk 020 7527 7447 or 020 7527 7416 

Old Street 020 7527 6205 or 020 7527 6232 

Islington Council’s Energy Advice Team 

provides information on: 

• no cost and low cost ways to save energy 

• efficient heating systems 

• explaining heating controls 

• understanding bills, fuel switching and debt advice 

• low energy lighting 

• local and national grants and discount schemes 

The number to call is 0800 953 1221 or email 

energy.advice@islington.gov.uk 

Safe and Warm 

These grants provided by the council are for 100% of the cost 

of heating, insulation and security measures. You qualify for a 

grant if you are an owner-occupier or leaseholder, and receive a 

qualifying benefit. 

Grants are available for the following: 

• gas central heating 

• replacing old inefficient boilers 

• loft insulation 

• cavity wall insulation 

• locks on external doors and accessible windows 

• smoke alarms and other security 

• small energy-saving measures, including London bars, 

spy-glass, and door chains 

Funds are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Energy Doctor in the Home 

(Waiting list only) 

If you suffer from heart problems, breathing problems or 

Parkinson’s disease or if you are over 70 or with a child under 5 

years old then a referral can be made through SHINE (Seasonal 

Health Interventions Network). Call 0800 953 1221. 

The Energy Doctor will be able to talk about your bills and tell 

you about small changes you can make to save money, fit small 

improvements for free such as basic draught exclusion, hot water 

tank jackets and energy saving bulbs, radiator panels, and OWL 

energy monitors. 

PLEASE 

(Private Landlords Energy Award Scheme) 

If you are subletting your Islington property this scheme assists 

private landlords with the installation of improved heating and 

insulation. A grant covering 67% of the costs is available. 

10 





11 



Leaseholder and Freeholder open day 

At the recent Leaseholder open day, 

staff from all areas of the organisation 

were on-hand to answer any queries 

leaseholders had about services. 

Thank you for your comments about 

our proposed Leasehold Challenge 

procedure. We will trial the process 

before we finalise and publish it. 

Look out for more information on the 

website soon. 

Home Ownership would like to hold 

events in the future that meet your 

requirements so please get in touch 

with us if you have any views or 

suggestions that would improve our 

services to you. 

Please email comments to Kay Morgan at 

homeownership@homesforislington. 

org.uk or phone 020 7527 7752. 

Pay your major works 

service charges by 

direct debit 

If you do not already pay your major 

works service charges by direct debit 

why not set one up to spread the cost 

of your bill and we will credit your 

account with £10*. 

The advantages of paying by direct 

debit include: 

• if there are any changes to 

the date or amount of your 

payment you will be given at 

least ten days’ notice, so that 

you can contact us for more 

details 

• you can cancel the direct debit 

any time by advising your bank 

or building society 

• you are entitled to a refund 

from your bank or building 

society if a mistake occurs 

If you would like to pay by direct debit, 

please contact Home Ownership on 

020 7527 7752 to request a direct 

debit form. 

*Only one £10 payment for each 

major works invoice 

Valuing diversity prize draw 

Congratulations to Ms Shreeve who won £25 in high street vouchers in our last 

quarterly prize draw. 

To enter the draw all you need to do is complete a Valuing Diversity form. It only takes 

a few minutes to complete and also gives you the opportunity to update your contact 

details. The form is available on our website www.homesforislington.org.uk at your 

local area housing office or from Home Ownership. A draw takes place every three 

months, and the results will be announced in the next newsletter. 

Who to 

contact 

To report estate 

repairs, please 

contact your area 

Estate Services Team: 

Highbury House 

(formerly Upper/Lyon Street) 

020 7527 5376 or 020 7527 6875 

Holland Walk 

020 7527 7447 or 020 7527 7416 

Old Street 

020 7527 6250 or 020 7527 6232 

To report any problems with 

communal heating systems 

please contact Housing Direct 

on 0800 694 3344 

or 020 7527 5400 

New and 

affordable 

homes 

147 Seven Sisters Road 

Levels of overcrowding are higher in Islington than in 

many other London boroughs, which is why the council 

has committed to over 30 building projects to provide 

200 new and affordable homes by 2014. 

Islington is already very built up with few greenspaces 

so we have had to be creative and build houses on 

unusual and unloved spaces like garages and infill sites. 

Decent and sustainable homes 

The majority of our new homes will be suitable for 

families as they will be built to the government’s 

“Lifetime Homes” standard and high environmental 

specification. 

Designing safer homes 

We are reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on 

Islington estates by designing family homes with natural 

surveillance and pleasant surroundings. 

The houses on Arundel Grove and King Henry Street 

were completed last year and replace a derelict car 

park and garages not far from Newington Green. The 

site previously contained 25 poorly lit unused garages 

that had become a dumping ground for rubbish and 

attracted anti-social behaviour. 


Contact us 

Highbury House area housing office 

5 Highbury Cresent, London N5 1RN 

email: highbury.house@homesforislington.org.uk 

Tel: 020 7527 5300 

Highbury House also has an accessible 

entrance on Holloway Road opposite Tesco. 

Old Street area housing office 

41-47 Old Street, London EC1V 9HX 

email: old.street@homesforislington.org.uk 

Tel: 020 7527 6250 

Holland Walk area housing office 

85-88 Holland Walk, London N19 3XS 

email: holland.walk@homesforislington.org.uk 

Tel: 020 7527 7480 

Home Ownership 

5 Highbury Crescent, London N5 1RN 

email: homeownership@homesforislington.org.uk 

Tel: 020 7527 7715 

To report a repair to your home or to pay your rent or 

service charges call Housing Direct on freephone 

0800 694 3344 or 020 7527 5400 

Online: www.homesforislington.org.uk 

To report anti-social behaviour 

call the ASB hotline 020 7527 7272 

Online: www.homesforislington.org.uk 

End of Islington’s 

largest ever 

housing revamp 

An Islington tenant of 23 years has celebrated being one of the final 

properties in the biggest ever upgrade of properties in Islington. 

Sally Beautista (featured on the front cover) welcomed HFI’s Chief Executive, 

Eamon McGoldrick, and Islington Council’s Executive Member for Housing, 

James Murray, into her home to show off some of the benefits from 

the Decent Homes Programme where over £600m has been invested in 

improvements to properties in the borough in the past eight years. 

Like many other residents, Ms Beautista had a brand new kitchen and 

bathroom installed. She also received a new energy efficient boiler and 

replacement radiators in the first major improvements to her flat since she 

moved in, back in 1989. 

12 





13 



Government introduces further 

changes to working tax credits 

The benefits system is changing and the amount and type of benefits you can claim might 

change in the future. 

Changes to housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit came into effect in April 

2011. Further changes to working tax credit will be introduced in April 2012. 

Working couples with a dependant child and claiming working tax credit as a family will 

only be able to get this if they are working 24 hours a week - an increase on the current 16 

hours. A couple can add up their hours to 24 but one must work at least 16 hours a week. 

Couples who work less than 24 hours, or where neither works a minimum of 16 hours, will 

lose benefits unless they increase their hours of work before April 2012. 

Information is available on Islington Council’s website www.islington.gov.uk/advice or 

call 020 7527 4990. 

Are you over 60? 

Make sure you are claiming the benefits you are entitled to. If you or your partner are over 

60, the Islington Benefits Team can offer you one-to-one help in claiming different benefits 

and allowances, such as taxicard, blue badge parking and the safe and warm scheme. 

Home visits are available. Call 020 7527 3697 or email benefitcheck@islington.gov.uk 

Estate garages get a makeover 

Funds are available to bring unused garages on our estates 

up to a good standard to meet local demand. All revenue 

from garages and parking is used to pay for essential 

services and estate improvements. Bringing vacant garages 

back into use will not only improve the look and feel of 

estates but will also reduce anti-social behaviour in garage 

areas. If you want to rent a garage or parking space on one of our estates please contact 

your local area housing office or submit an online application form via our website. 

Get set for the Digital 

TV switchover 

The Digital TV switchover affects London in April 2012. Make 

sure you’re ready! If you have five channels or fewer on any 

TV in your home you will need to convert it to digital. Our 

contractors will complete the upgrade of all communal 

aerials on council-owned blocks before April. 

There is a “Switchover Help Scheme” available to persons who are 75 or over 

or have a disability. For more information call 0800 40 85 900 or visit their website 

www.helpscheme.co.uk/en/helpscheme 

You do not have to sign up to Sky satellite TV services - you can choose any provider, 

including those with no subscription charge e.g. Freesat. 

You may need to re-tune your TV after the switchover. 

If you are a tenant and have not been able to connect to the new communal aerial 

system because you do not have a new wall socket, please contact AVC Digital 

Networks on 01463 796 325 as soon as possible. 

If our contractor cannot help you please contact HFI. Phone either 

Greg Liddlelow on 020 7527 5667 or Eric Calvert on 020 7527 8520. 

Disability 

parking 

discounts 

We offer local disabled drivers the highest 

priority and lowest costs for use of estate 

parking facilities. 

Applicants who are disabled and have 

their own car, or who have an official 

carer who uses a car to provide assistance, 

receive top priority when applying for an 

estate bay or garage. 

If you have a disability parking blue badge 

issued by Islington Council or receive the 

mobility component of the Disability 

Living Allowance, you could be entitled to 

discounts of up to 100% on the weekly 

parking rent. 

For more information or to apply please 

contact your local area housing office. 

Service Standards 

(Local Offers) update 

During 2011 we reviewed the current 

Service Standards with tenants by 

holding a number of focus groups 

across our estates. These Service 

Standards give residents firm 

commitments on how we will deliver 

our services to an agreed standard, 

quality and frequency. 

Not all elements changed. Only two 

new suggested standards were added 

under the Tenant and Empowerment 

Standard and Home Standard which 

tenants felt needed expanding to reflect 

current service delivery expectations. 

The changes which come into effect in 

April 2012 will be available to view on 

our website from April. 

The Annual Tenants Report 2010/11 

contains full feedback on all Service 

Standard performance for 2010/11. 

Our Service Standards and Annual 

Report are available on our website 


Partnering to success 

At the December Board meeting, HFI presented its annual Partner and Board awards. 

Partner Award 

This was presented to two organisations; both have made it possible for us to deliver first 

class services in a time of ever decreasing resources. 

The Laundry 

The Hanley Crouch Community Association, known as 

The Laundry, provides youth engagement opportunities 

for young people in their area. They have worked well 

with us, supporting new sports initiatives on the Crouch 

Hall Estate and have provided youth workers to support 

a new Street Cricket venture. 

In particular, during the summer of 2011, when they 

usually provide a limited service, The Laundry reacted to 

local need and provided staff and opened their facilities for a near full programme. 

They also continue to work with us and Arsenal Positive Futures to provide youth 

employability sessions. 

Groundwork 

Groundwork has worked with Islington Council and 

HFI for almost a decade, delivering community based 

projects and environmental improvements across our 

estates. 

They engage actively with the community delivering food 

growing, landscaping and community garden projects 

which aim to be sustainable and green. 

In the past year, Groundwork has been able to raise over £400,000 in extra funding for 

projects which have benefited numerous estates across Islington, that could not have been 

delivered without their involvement. 

Board Award 

The Board Award this year was presented to Jessie 

White. Jessie has received this award for giving over 30 

years’ service to the residents of Islington in a number of 

guises including working on her local TRA. Jessie has also 

been a Board member of HFI since it started in 2004, 

and continues to work tirelessly for charity for the benefit 

of local residents. 

Changes to recycling on your estate 

Due to changes to national fire regulations guidance 

from the government, Islington Council can no longer 

collect recycling from outside your door. During February 

and March, Councillor Paul Smith is writing to all 

residents to let them know that the council is introducing 

new communal recycling bins. You will receive a letter 

updating you on the date of the change over and where 

the new recycling bins are located on your estate. 


Beating 

condensation 

and mould 

Do you have a condensation or mould 

problem? We would especially like to hear 

from you if you have followed our advice 

and this has made a difference. The link 

to our questionnaire will be on the front 

page of our website until 31 March 2012. 


HFI assessed for 

Customer Service 

Excellence 

In December 2011, as part of the Customer 

Service Excellence accreditation, we were 

visited to ensure that the standards of the 

award are being maintained and improvements 

were being made. The assessor was pleased to 

report that we are maintaining all standards 

and that our accreditation should continue. 

The assessor also highlighted our partnership 

work with Arsenal Positive Futures on the 

estate activity programme. He said it was “a 

genuine example of collaborative community 

work at its best”. 

NOTICE 

After 1 April 2012, HFI parking 

permits will still be valid until their 

renewal date. 

Wheel clamping 

of vehicles 

The Protection of Freedoms Bill proposes 

to ban wheel-clamping of vehicles 

parked on private land, including the 

grounds of residential estates. The 

towing away of vehicles will also be 

affected. The Bill is expected to become 

law this year. Once this happens, estate 

parking restriction warning signs will be 

updated. A Parking Charge Notice (PCN) 

will be issued to offenders instead. 

14 





15 



Arsenal Positive Futures estates 

programme gets the thumbs up 

During September 2011 we asked the 

young people and their parents or carers 

for their views on the activities delivered 

by Arsenal Positive Futures on our estates. 

We are pleased to report that satisfaction 

stayed at high levels in most areas from 

enjoyment of activities to activities being 

well arranged. 

Parents reported increased satisfaction in 

their children learning new skills, feeling 

Islington Netball Club 

Islington Netball Club is looking for new 

players to join its junior programme of 

activities. Open to boys aged 8–10 and 

girls 11–16 the club allows participants 

to learn the skills of the sport, work as a 

team, meet new people and have fun. 

Islington Netball Club works with HFI, 

Islington Council, Access to Sports, Arsenal 

in the Community and Aquaterra. For 

information contact the Access to Sports 

Project on 020 7686 8812 or email 

access2sports@aquaterra.org. 

safe and making friends. 

Parents gave a thumbs up to these 

acttivities and support levels increased 

from 86% in 2010 to 100% in 2011. All 

young people who responded told us that 

they would be taking part in future estate 

activities. 

We hope to further develop the 

programme and thank all those who 

completed a questionnaire. 

Islington’s first ever youth council is now in place 

On 9 February, 11-17 year olds across the 

borough went to polling stations to vote for 

Islington’s first ever youth council. Twenty 

four candidates spent weeks planning and 

campaigning and the eight with the most 

votes were announced as youth councillors at 

an event the following day at the new healthy 

living youth hub on White Lion Street. 

The youth council will help make decisions 

about issues that affect young people in the 

borough, including how money is spent on 

youth services. 

For details of the youth council and how to 

get in touch visit www.izzy-info.com, email 

youthcouncil@islington.gov.uk or call 

020 7527 2552. 

New free 

football sessions 

at Aubert Court 

Arsenal Positive Futures will be offering 

free evening football sessions at the 

newly refurbished play area at Aubert 

Court. Sessions will take place every 

Tuesday, as follows: 

• Ages 7 to 11 from 5pm to 6.30pm 

• Age 12+ from 6.30pm to 8pm 

No need to book - just turn up!! 

For more information contact Anthony 

David on 020 7704 4155. 

Brush up on your interview skills 

Since October 2011, together with Arsenal Positive Futures 

we have delivered youth employability schemes on the 

Crouch Hall Estate. 

We can help you improve your preparation and presentation 

skills which are required for job interviews, build confidence 

and offer you advice on employment options. 

12 out of the 15 young people who have already 

attended the weekly sessions have been successful in 

gaining employment with Delaware North, the hospitality 

contractors for the Emirates stadium. 

Due to its success we are hoping to expand this programme 

to other Islington estates from April 2012. 

Call Jack Ferguson on 020 7704 4152 or Jacqueline 

Robinson on 020 7527 2903 if you would like to attend. 

This publication is printed on paper 

that is from 100% virgin wood fibre 

and is from a 100% sustainable source. 

Sponsored by 

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HFI NEWS - Islington Council

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