HFI NEWS - Islington Council

Local news - making a difference
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
www.homesforislington.org.uk
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.
Local news - making a difference
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.
www.homesforislington.org.uk
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.
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Visit our website at
www.homesforislington.org.uk
Visit our website at
www.homesforislington.org.uk
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