September / October 2010 - Hounslow Homes

News 

Issue 64 

September/October 2010 

The magazine for all Hounslow Homes residents 

Young Tenants of the Year - The junior Rangers 

And the winners 

are… 

p8 

What is 

Hallogreen? 

p12 

New tenant board 

members 

p3 

Escape to the 

country 

p4 

www.hounslowhomes.org.uk

Hi, 

What a busy 

last couple of 

months it’s 

been. What 

with fun 

days all over 

Hounslow, it 

being HFTRA’s 40th year and 

events to celebrate tenants, 

there is just so much going on! 

I am also happy to announce 

that we recently had an event 

where we renamed the Benson 

Close Tenants Resource Centre 

the Alf Chandler Centre. It is 

an honour to name the centre 

after someone who has done 

so much for all of us, making 

certain that tenants living in 

social housing are not treated as 

second class citizens. 

I would also like to 

congratulate Hounslow Homes 

One of the 

election 

pledges of our 

new Council 

administration 

was to 

deliver 2500 

affordable homes for sale 

or rent. To do this we are 

dependent on funding from 

the Homes and Communities 

Agency (HCA). Our next 

planned scheme is Elmwood 

Avenue in Feltham. 

Earlier this year we were 

awarded funding from the HCA 

for the scheme but at one stage 

we were told that with cuts to 

Government programmes, this 

News from HFTRA Chair, 

Julie Brooker 

and LBH for the work they put 

in with the burst water main. 

They were able to show that 

working in partnerships does 

work and in such a devastating 

situation they really came 

together. 

On a sadder note, I was 

talking to a neighbour of 

mine who had been robbed 

by a trickster. She let him into 

her home because he said he 

was from the water board. He 

backed her into the kitchen 

and began checking her water. 

She started to feel there was 

something wrong and when he 

left she went in to her bedroom 

and found stuff missing. She 

said she felt stupid about 

what had happened but this 

was not her fault. I cannot 

understand how someone can 

do this to an older person. How 

Message from Lead Member, 

Ruth Cadbury 

money could have been lost. 

Luckily the HCA have agreed 

to continue to part fund this 

scheme and the Council will be 

funding the remainder. 

Having secured planning 

permission for the nineteen 

homes in July, construction on 

the site is due to start in January 

2011. This is in partnership with 

Hounslow Homes and leading 

social housing contractor 

and developer, United House 

Limited. All homes built will 

be to high energy efficiency 

standards meeting Level Four 

of the Code for Sustainable 

Homes. It is hoped that 95% 

of workers on the scheme will 

would they feel if it was their 

mother, father, grandparent, 

or someone close to them who 

was vulnerable? This needs 

to stop! Our most vulnerable 

tenants and neighbours need to 

be protected because tricksters 

like this will continue to take 

advantage of them if they can, 

so we all need to look out for 

our neighbours. 

If you are suspicious about 

anyone who comes to 

your door, always ask for 

identification. If you are still not 

sure, even if the identification 

has been provided, call the 

company they say they work for 

and double check what they are 

telling you. 

If you need to contact me on 

anything please call 

07948 401584 or email 

julie1958@fsmail.net 

be recruited locally and that 

there will be at least one trainee 

employed. 

The scheme will provide a 

range of one and two bedroom 

flats and two, three, four and 

five bedroom houses including 

two homes designed for disabled 

residents. New family housing 

is a key priority for the Council 

and the majority of the new 

homes will be three bedroom 

or larger properties. These new 

Council owned homes will be 

available for affordable rent and 

managed by Hounslow Homes. 

The first homes are expected to 

be complete by the winter of 

next year. 

Welcome to our two new tenant Board members: 

Bill Gallup 

Bill intends to 

be an active 

member of 

the board and 

together with 

the board and 

tenants will be able to enhance 

the quality of our estates and 

Robert 

Charig 

Robert is a 

Chiswick local 

and has a 

background 

in media 

although his experience with a 

sibling with a learning disability 

also led to him working with 

people in the community with 

Our Service Standards 

Hounslow Homes has been consulting residents over the 

summer at our Have Your Say events to help us develop our 

standards – that is to make sure the standards of service we 

offer are what you want 

We’ve asked you what you 

think in a variety of ways, 

including over the telephone, at 

fun days, focus groups and at 

special roadshows. 

We’ve been doing this 

because the regulator for social 

housing, the Tenant Services 

Authority (TSA) now requires 

the Council to issue an annual 

report to tenants every year. 

This annual report gives 

tenants an honest and helpful 

view about how well the 

Housing Service (Hounslow 

Homes) is doing against the 

standards the TSA has set for all 

instil a community spirit to all. 

Bill has lived in Hounslow all 

of his life, has been a council 

tenant for 34 years, has run 

a successful neighbourhood 

watch scheme for more 

than fifteen years and has 

always been interested in the 

community and local politics. 

disabilities and mental health 

problems. 

Robert has always been very 

active in the community and 

is also involved and supports 

a number of charities. After 

suffering a serious sports injury 

he took time out to study law at 

the University of West London 

before attending law school. 

Robert has a broad depth 

registered housing providers. It 

is different to the Annual Report 

to shareholders Hounslow 

Homes produce which you may 

have seen in the past. 

The first report will be 

published on our website 

on 1 October at www. 

hounslowhomes.org.uk 

He is a no nonsense and 

plain speaking individual and 

hopes that during his term as 

a tenant board member he will 

be an asset to the tenants of 

Hounslow and his fellow board 

members. 

of knowledge and wider 

understanding of social issues 

and the overall needs of the 

community. His outgoing 

personality, openness and 

willingness to get to the root 

of an issue make Robert the 

perfect representative for the 

tenants of Hounslow Homes. 

Hounslow Homes’ 

contract to manage and 

maintain the Council’s 

housing stock will 

expire in March 2012. 

The Council’s Executive have 

now commissioned an options 

appraisal to consider the 

advantages and disadvantages 

of either extending the contract 

(subject to a review of the 

management agreement) or 

abolishing Hounslow Homes 

as a separate organisation and 

running housing services directly 

from the Council. 

It is likely the options appraisal 

will involve consultation either 

with tenant representatives 

from HFTRA or with tenants 

direct. The exact details have yet 

to be decided but we will keep 

you updated. 

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| 3

Change-In-Spaces 

Have you ever thought about making a move? Perhaps to the Seaside, or even down sizing your 

current property to something more manageable? 

A shortage in family sized 

accommodation within the 

council’s current stock has 

resulted in many families living 

in overcrowded conditions while 

many existing properties are 

under-occupied. 

Hounslow Homes in 

partnership with the London 

Borough of Hounslow are 

working towards gaining an 

improved balance within its 

current housing stock through 

supporting under-occupiers to 

downsize to a smaller home 

and in turn releasing larger 

properties for those who need 

them. 

How we can help you 

• With the registration 

process for schemes that 

are available such as Trading 

Places, Seaside & Country 

Homes, Mutual Exchange 

and Sheltered Housing 

• You may be eligible for 

financial help with removal 

costs 

• By making your move as 

easy as possible 

Trading Places 

Trading Places encourages 

tenants in large properties with 

spare rooms to “trade down” 

to a smaller home. As well 

as a high priority for a move, 

generous financial incentives are 

also available. For downsizing 

to a smaller property, £1000 is 

awarded for every bedroom you 

give up! 

Seaside and Country Homes 

Properties are designed 

specifically for older people and 

are available along the coast 

from Cornwall on the south 

west to Norfolk and Lincolnshire 

in the east and the countryside 

of Dorset to Cambridgeshire. 

London Borough of Hounslow 

may offer tenants that move 

to a new home through the 

Seaside and Country scheme 

a one off payment of £1000 

in addition to assistance with 

removal costs once they have 

moved. 

For more information please 

visit: www.housingmoves.org 

Mutual Exchange 

Tenants in a Council or 

Housing Association property, 

who have no rent arrears 

and no history of anti-social 

behaviour, are eligible for a 

“mutual exchange” - a scheme 

that can be quicker than 

waiting for a transfer whilst you 

are bidding on Locata and can 

give you a wider choice of area, 

style and size of housing. 

To apply applicants need to 

complete a transfer application 

form available from local 

housing offices and register 

with ‘HomeSwapper’ - an 

online mutual exchange service 

available to all tenants in secure 

or assured tenancies. 

To find out more information 

on eligibility, how to apply and 

what other housing options 

may be available, contact the 

Change-In-Spaces team on 

changeinspaces@hounslow.gov. 

uk or 020 8583 6739/4246 or 

visit 

www.hounslowhomes.org.uk 

Hounslow Homes and 

emergency services work 

together to repair flood damage 

At approximately 6am on the 12 August a burst water main on 

London Road Isleworth created chaos in the area 

Hounslow Homes staff and emergency services working together 

The 30” split to the water main 

not only disrupted supplies to 

thousands of homes, but also 

many families and individuals 

lost everything they owned. 

Hounslow Homes staff were 

on site and were able to alert 

neighbours that there was 

likely to be more flooding, 

making sure that all care and 

consideration was taken and 

that residents living in our 

Sheltered Housing Scheme were 

safe and looked after. 

As soon as it was deemed 

safe by emergency services, 

all residents affected were 

evacuated and placed in 

temporary accommodation. 

The work to get things back 

up and running continues and 

the dedication of Hounslow 

Homes staff, who in many 

cases have given up their 

spare time and weekends to 

speed things along, mustn’t be 

ignored. We understand that 

this was a really distressing 

experience that could have 

been a lot worse if Thames 

Water had not admitted 

liability. Thankfully, they have 

been excellent in dealing with 

claims and will be footing the 

bill but it does highlight the 

need for tenants to have home 

insurance as fire, theft and 

flood can happen to anyone 

at any time. Call our Customer 

Service Centre for advice about 

home insurance schemes on 

0800 085 6575. 

Tricksters and 

scams 

Before you let anyone into 

your property find out 

who they are. It has been 

brought to our attention 

that vulnerable members of 

the community throughout 

Hounslow are being tricked 

into letting people into their 

homes and are then being 

robbed or assaulted. Always 

check who it is before you 

open the door. If they say 

they are from Hounslow 

Homes, remember that we 

will not just turn up on your 

door step without letting you 

know in advance. 

It’s important that we 

all look out for vulnerable 

members of our community. 

Go green and 

sign up for the 

e-version of 

Hounslow Homes 

News 

It’s easy to be green – sign up 

to get your copy of Hounslow 

Homes News by email. Send 

your email address to webteam@hounslowhomes.org. 

uk, visit our website at 

www.hounslowhomes.org.uk 

or contact us on 

0800 085 6575 

4 | 

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Rainbow Project Supports 

Older Residents 

Over the past year, residents associations and community groups across the borough have 

received funding to improve services and facilities in their communities. Our sheltered housing 

residents have also benefited from this joint project with Hounslow Homes and the London 

Borough of Hounslow 

Harnage House, Brentford 

• old office converted into a 

library 

• a computer with internet 

access to keep in touch with 

family and friends 

Lavender Court, Feltham 

• built a new conservatory to 

hold events 

Are you deaf and are finding it difficult to live 

independently in your home? 

If you would like additional 

support with tasks such as 

security, personal safety, 

organising repairs, building 

social skills, budgets, completing 

and understanding official 

Lambert Lodge, Brentford 

• raised beds to further 

improve award winning 

gardens and encourage 

less able residents to get 

involved 

Cooper House, Hounslow and 

Meadowcroft, Chiswick 

• shaded outdoor seating 

letters and forms including 

letters from Hounslow Homes 

then contact the 

Disability Network Hounslow 

at 63-65 Bell Road, Hounslow 

by fax 020 8814 0311 or by 

areas and garden furniture 

to encourage everyone 

outside 

Bedfont Lane Community 

Centre, Feltham. 

• support for a social club so 

they can organise a lunch 

club, bingo and other 

activities 

Jessop House, Chiswick 

• funding to build a vegetable 

garden so they can be green 

in their scheme 

Owen House, Feltham and 

Hyde House, Hounslow 

• garden improvements 

planned for next spring 

encouraging more use of the 

gardens 

For more information on the 

Rainbow Project contact Aine 

Hayes, the Rainbow Project 

Officer, on 020 8583 4813 

or email 

aine.hayes@hounslow.gov.uk 

minicom on 020 8569 5445. 

BSL interpreters are available 

to provide you with support to 

continue living independently in 

your home. 

Young Apprenticeship 

Scheme 

Hounslow Homes is taking part in a LBH managed scheme that 

with the national Young Apprenticeship programme provides 

opportunities for young people aged 14–16 years, to develop 

job specific work based skills and experience 

Hard at work 

We have provided placements 

for participants who are 

provided with opportunities 

to improve their skills in 

problem solving and working 

as part of a team for example. 

Placements are also available 

in property services, lettings 

and maintenance, architects, 

AGM 

The purpose of the Annual 

General Meeting is to provide 

London Borough of Hounslow 

(as the sole member of 

the company) and other 

stakeholders with an annual 

report and accounts for the 

year 2009/10 and to approve 

membership changes to the 

building services, control and 

planning, facilities management, 

landscaping and caretaking 

services. Hounslow Homes 

will shortly be advertising 

all Building Apprenticeship 

opportunities for school leavers 

- watch this space! 

Hounslow Homes is holding their 8th Annual General meeting 

on Wednesday 20 October at London Borough of Hounslow 

Civic Centre (Open Area, Ground Floor Annexe), Lampton 

Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN at 6.30pm 

Board. As such, the formal part 

of the meeting should be brief, 

but we hope you will be able to 

attend and join us afterwards 

for light refreshments to 

celebrate a successful year. 

Everyone is welcome to 

attend. 

Info-bytes 

Follow us on Twitter! 

Get the latest news, events and 

tenant training information by 

following us on Twitter. Visit 

www.twitter.com and search for 

Hounslow Homes – registration is 

required. 

DigiTV – a free interactive 

service at the touch of a 

button 

Our new DigiTV service is already 

proving popular with residents 

– it has been getting on average 

around 1750 hits a week! 

It’s simple to use and completely 

free, all you need is your Sky or 

Virgin box to be connected to a 

telephone line. When you use the 

service, it’s a free call and opens 

your home up to interactive 

services from Hounslow Homes 

and other local organisations in 

your area. You can even bid for a 

property if you are registered with 

Locata. 

Please tell us what you think by 

completing a feedback form. 

Switch on and tune in to 

DigiTV in three simple steps: 

1. Select interactive services on 

your remote control 

2. Choose ‘local government’ 

from the menu 

3. Use the quick code HH(44) 

to get to the site quickly and 

easily 

Info-bytes recommends… 

www.homeswapper.co.uk 

register for this service which is 

free to Hounslow Homes tenants 

and matches you with potential 

mutual exchange partners. 

6 | News 

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| 7

HFTRA Representative of the Year 

Sponsored by Proteus 

Winner: Philip Scarrott 

“Philip is a dignified member of the HFTRA Executive Committee. 

He won’t let any tenant/leaseholder down and puts tenants on his 

estate first. He’s done a lot for his community in such a short time – 

he’s even met former Prime Minister Gordon Brown!” 

Resident Association Committee Member of the Year 

Sponsored by Vaillant and Fernox 

Winner: June Lewis 

“June is passionate about her estate and has made a significant 

difference to it and the residents who live on Southern Avenue. She 

works effortlessly with our Caretaking, Neighbourhood Wardens and 

the Call Centre to champion improvements. She holds community 

spirit high up her agenda and is known for having a really good 

heart.” 

Philip Scarrott 

Housing Hero Awards 2010 

The second annual Hounslow Homes Housing Heroes Awards were held on Friday 10 September 

Bernadette O’Shea and Julie Brooker 

More than 250 residents and 

guests attended including 

MP Mary Macleod, Council 

Leader Jagdish Sharma and 

Lead Member for Housing, 

Councillor Ruth Cadbury. The 

night was sponsored by K&A 

Construction, Lovell, Jewson, 

United House, Proteus, Vaillant, 

Fernox, T Brown and Apollo 

Housing. 

This year’s winners are: 

It was a chance for residents 

from across the Borough to 

be acknowledged for all their 

hard work publicly and for their 

contribution to the community 

to be recognised. 

Bernadette O’Shea, Hounslow 

Homes’ Chief Executive, began 

the evening by welcoming 

everyone to the awards. 

Fight Against Anti-Social Behaviour 

Sponsored by K&A construction 

Winner: Adan Ahmed 

“Adan is Secretary of the Residents Association on Ivybridge estate 

and Chair of Isleworth Somalian Community Group. He has made 

a big contribution in assisting Hounslow Homes‘ work on antisocial 

behaviour and is active assisting the Somalian community to 

integrate. He’s also involved in mediation and translation in disputes 

between Somalian and white youths and has greatly eased any racial 

tension. He supports the weekly Somalian Women’s Group and 

regularly translates at meetings to explain the procedure to follow 

when experiencing domestic violence.” 

Best Scheme/Project of the Year 

Sponsored by Jewson 

Winner: The O-Tree Project 

“The O-Tree Project, funded by the Rainbow Project, is a mosaic 

piece created by residents of all ages on the Oriel estate and 

surrounding area. Members of the community joined together to 

create a piece of art that symbolises and promotes the area in which 

they live and are proud of.” 

June Lewis 

Junior Rangers 

Young Tenant/Leasholder of the Year 

Sponsored by Lovell 

Winner: The Junior Rangers 

“Since winning this award last year, the Junior Rangers have gone 

from strength to strength in their community work on their estate. 

Their work has a knock on effect on every area of the community 

and the message they are sending is a very powerful one - many 

young people on the estate are now beginning to really respect and 

value their environment.” 

Good Neighbour of the Year 

Sponsored by Apollo Housing 

Winner: Eddie Byrne 

“Eddie is a real champion for the Oriel Estate. Without his dedication 

and warm welcome, the Oriel Resource Centre would close. He 

works tirelessly with Hounslow Homes and other agencies, including 

the Police, to make the estate a better place to live. He was recently 

awarded Citizen of the Year by the management at the Feltham 

Centre.” 

Eddie Byrne 

8 | News 

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Torron-Lee Dewar 

Best Balcony Sponsored by Complete Tree Care 

“The judges liked the number of different species used in the 

balcony and just how many unusual plants there were.” 

Runner up: Martha Elsessor 

Winner: Anne Hastie 

Best Communal Area Sponsored by Pinnacle 

“The judges were impressed with the variety of flowers used, that 

everyone had tried to be as green as possible and how they had 

brought the community together.” 

Runners up: Sandy Graver and Yvonne Ransom 

Winner: Howard Burrows 

Best Sheltered Housing Garden sponsored by HFTRA 

“Everyone had obviously worked really hard on these gardens which 

are enjoyed by all the residents in the units. They were exceptionally 

colourful and bright and were a pleasure to judge.” 

Runners up in third place: Boswood Court 

Runners up in second place: Greenham House 

Winner: Lambert Lodge 

Best Garden Sponsored by Pinnacle 

“The judges were impressed with these gardens’ exotic flowers and 

unique styles. All the gardeners were so dedicated, trying to be as 

green as possible in their gardening methods.” 

Runners up in third place are Mr & Mrs Carter 

Runner up in second place is Deirdre McCormack 

Winner: Rita Everett 

Outstanding Achiever of the Year 

Sponsored by United House 

Winner: Torron-Lee Dewar 

“Torron-Lee has started a dance company to help young people 

steer away from negative and anti-social behaviour. He has turned 

unconfident youngsters into dancers and involves them in shows 

and community events. The level to which he has taught them 

is nothing short of incredible. He’s a role model for many and is 

an outstanding young man who will continue to amaze in all his 

achievements.” 

A special award, sponsored by T Brown, was presented to 

HFTRA to celebrate 40 years of being the voice of tenants in 

Hounslow. 

Gardening Competition Awards 2010 

“The Budding Blooms” are... 

Best Balcony 

Howard Burrows 

Rita Everett 

Rechargeable Repairs 

Part of your responsibility as a tenant is to look after the home 

you are living in 

Hounslow Homes will carry 

out repairs that are for normal 

wear and tear, but any damage 

caused by you, someone living 

with you, or a visitor to your 

home is your responsibility and 

you will be charged for this. 

If you leave a property in 

a poor state of repair, for 

example, you remove internal 

doors or carry out alterations 

without permission, we will 

carry out the work and the costs 

of this will be charged to you. 

This also applies if you carry out 

a mutual exchange. 

If you lose your keys or get 

locked out, we will charge 

you for the call-out and 

replacements, including 

changing the lock if needed. 

You need written permission 

before making alterations or 

improvements to the property 

Are you insured? 

Regardless of what time of year it is, insurance is important 

and having the right insurance even more so 

It’s not only fire, but also floods, 

water damage and theft that 

can cause problems so residents 

need to be aware and make 

sure that they have adequate 

coverage for emergency 

situations. 

Hounslow Homes wants all 

residents to be safe but it is 

up to each household to make 

sure that they have protected 

i.e. fitting your own kitchen 

units, cupboards etc, or you will 

be charged after you leave for 

us to restore it to the original 

condition. 

If you are permanently leaving 

your home, please remember 

to take everything with you, 

including bags and toys and 

to clear carpet, flooring, lofts, 

garages and sheds. Make sure 

the property is completely 

empty or you will be charged 

for any clearance we do, even if 

only one item is left behind, as 

there is a standard charge. 

For more information check 

your tenancy agreement or 

contact the Customer Service 

Centre on 0800 085 6575. 

Useful numbers Tidy Town 

020 8583 5555 Hounslow 

Furniture project 

020 8814 2225. 

themselves financially in the 

event of a fire, flood or theft. 

To find out more about 

insurance, contact the Customer 

Service Centre on 0800 085 

6575 email: customerservice@ 

hounslowhomes.org.uk or 

Mincom 0800 389 9821. 

It takes a lifetime to build a 

home but it can all be destroyed 

in a mater of minutes. 

Free Internet 

safety 

awareness 

course for 

parents 

More than ever, young 

people are accessing the 

internet unsupervised and 

unaware. Children and 

young people are increasingly 

caught up in porn, 

cyberbullying, grooming 

and radicalisation online. As 

parents we must know the 

internet’s powers and risks. 

MPower, Hounslow Homes 

and the Police bring you 

a free course of training 

for parents – to help YOU 

identify and minimise risks 

for young people in your 

care. 

Venue: Da Spot, Hounslow 

Dates: September 6th, 

13th, 20th & October 4th, 

11th & 18th 

Time: 10–12am 

For further details and 

booking contact Hugo 

Macpherson on 

0796 008 4932. 

KWEST 

satisfaction 

survey 

If you haven’t already, you 

should be receiving your 

KWEST satisfaction survey 

shortly. Please fill them out 

and return them to KWEST in 

the self addressed envelope 

provided as soon as possible. 

10 | News 

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| 11

You are invited to 

Hallogreen! 

‘Hallogreen’ Friday, 29 October, 2–5pm at Clayponds 

Community Centre, Clayponds Gardens, Ealing W5 4RQ 

AirTEXT 

airTEXT is a free service available for people who 

live or work in Hounslow and across London who 

suffer from asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, heart 

disease, angina or any other form of respiratory 

disease 

Whether it’s switching from 

conventional chocolate treats 

to Fair-trade, or creating your 

own costumes by recycling 

old clothes and bits‘n’bobs 

from around the house, or just 

spreading the word… everyone 

can play a role! 

How you can take part 

Fancy dress competition – 

come along to the event in a 

Halloween fancy dress costume 

which has been completely 

made from recycled items or 

take part in some of our other 

competitions including: a poster 

competition and best ecofriendly 

bag design. 

Categories will be for different 

age groups with many prizes up 

for grabs 

Also available on the day will 

be: 

• Healthy and sustainable 

living advice 

• Weird and wonderful 

animals to admire 

• Face painting 

• Healthy, organic and Fairtrade 

goodies 

• Info on Hounslow Homes’ 

Greening Campaign 

• A magician 

• HFTRA stall 

• Local sports clubs promoting 

fitness and activities 

Hallogreen is an opportunity 

to make not only Halloween 

but also our lifestyle more 

environmentally friendly. So 

make a difference by making 

different choices! 

By accessing this service you 

will be able to take some simple 

steps to reduce the impact 

to your health on days when 

pollution levels are forecasted to 

be high. 

You can register online by 

visiting: www.airtext.info 

When you register, you can 

choose to either receive the 

alerts by: 

• Text message 

• Voicemail on your home 

number 

• Email 

By receiving one of 

these alerts you will be 

able to take some simple 

steps to help you reduce the 

impacts of pollution to your 

health. For example carrying 

your inhaler with you, avoiding 

outdoor activities on days 

when pollution levels are high, 

avoiding areas where pollution 

levels are high i.e. along 

congested streets etc. 

For more information visit 

Air Quality: Health Effects 

- http://www.hounslow.gov. 

uk/index/environment_and_ 

planning/air_quality/health_ 

effects.htm 

Fun Days 

Summer Fun days across the borough were a ray of sunshine for Southern Avenue, New Chapel 

Square and Worton Road Estates 

Face painting, rides, bouncy 

castles, BBQ’s and great weather 

(sometimes) all made this a 

memorable summer. 

The opening of Sutton Lane’s 

new Multi Use Games Area 

was celebrated by a football 

tournament run by Brentford 

FC as well as plenty of fun and 

festivity. 

Deputy Mayor, Councillor 

Poonam Dhillon officially 

opened the area which has 

been a much wanted recreation 

space on the Sutton Lane 

estate. 

WHAT’S ON? 

A slimming and fitness club 

will be starting in Feltham in 

January for all residents. A £2 

fee will go towards the cost 

of classes which will consist 

of gentle exercise so it will be 

suitable for all ages and fitness 

levels. 

Also starting in Feltham in 

January is a free monthly 

Art & Craft group that all are 

welcome to. 

Volunteers book club. Any 

book can be read, the only 

pre-requisite is to participate! 

The first meeting will be held 

on Thursday 23 September and 

then every month, 7–9pm at 

the Oriel Community Centre, 

Oriel Estate, Hanworth. 

Refreshments provided. 

Congratulations to Southern 

Avenue on being granted 

£3,000 through grass roots 

applications to fund football 

on the estate. For the next 12 

months Brentford FC will run 

training for the kids in their new 

ball game area, funded by the 

Rainbow Project. 

For more information on any of 

these activities please contact 

the Tenant Participation team 

on 020 8583 4602. More 

information will be published in 

Hounslow Homes News closer 

to the date. 

Want to quit 

smoking, but not sure 

how? 

Quit smoking classes are being 

run by Hounslow Homes 

and the NHS Hounslow Stop 

Smoking Service for 6 weeks 

on Monday evenings from 

7-9pm starting the 1st of 

November. 

Some of the benefits include 

saving money, convenience, 

you are four times more likely 

to quit with NHS support and 

of course your health. 

Classes will be held at the 

Oriel Community Centre, 

Oriel Estate in Hanworth. 

Please contact the tenant 

participation team on 0208 

583 4602 to book your place. 

12 | News 

News 

| 13

How we performed 

July 2010 

Repairs completed at 

first visit 

Target: 85% 

Performance: 85% 

Satisfaction with responsive 

repairs service 

Target: 4.26 out of 5 

Performance: 4.35 out of 5 

Garden Grant for Kirkstone Lodge 

proves a reason to celebrate 

An afternoon tea was organised by Hounslow Homes and residents of Kirkstone Lodge to 

celebrate achieving Stage 1 of their Garden Grant 

Part of the side garden now has 

been relandscaped by residents 

and they have installed brand 

new garden furniture and with 

all the hard work they’ve put 

in over the last several months, 

this was indeed a reason to 

celebrate. 

Stage 2 is now underway 

with environmentally friendly 

plants, bushes and bulbs now 

It’s good to talk! 

being selected and readied for 

planting so that next Spring, 

residents will be able to enjoy all 

their hard work. 

Mary, Tilly, Laura, Peggy and 

Tommy in particular have spent 

a lot of time, money and effort 

bringing this to fruition but 

have been supported by all the 

residents of Kirkstone Lodge in 

this endeavour. 

This grant comes in 

particularly handy as residents 

had spent a lot of their own 

money beautifying their open 

space, a space that can now be 

enjoyed by all. 

The afternoon tea was 

prepared and provided by Anne 

Gook, Chair of the Residents 

Association. 

Hounslow Homes’ Concierge Team and Hounslow Police working together for better estates 

The Concierge Service is here 

as a helpful onsite presence 

dealing with all kinds of issues 

on a daily basis throughout the 

year. 

We are always looking to 

improve our service to you, 

so we have teamed up with 

Hounslow Police to pilot an 

enhanced communication link 

on Brentford Towers between 

the Concierge and the local 

Police. We hope this will 

improve our joint response to 

tackle anti-social behaviour. 

Overall satisfaction 

with ASB 

Target: 7 out of 10 

Performance: 7.1 out of 10 

Customer Service Centre 

calls resolved at first 

contact 

Target: 80% 

Performance: 81.28% 

Average re-let times 

(excluding sheltered 

properties) 

Target: 30 days 

Performance: 36 days 

Gas service checks 

Target: 100% 


Rent collection 

Target: 97.5% 


Communal repairs 

completed on target 

Target: 95% 


% of estate inspections 

resulting in 2/3 star rating 

Target: 75% 


Overall Leaseholder 

satisfaction 

Target: 42% 

Performance: 46% 

14 | News 

News | 15

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE (CSC) 

Please ring our freephone number for all council housing queries 

0800 085 6575 

Minicom: 0800 389 9821; Language line: 0800 389 9830; Email: customerservicecentre@hounslowhomes.org.uk 

Open: 8am-8pm Monday-Friday. The CSC is no longer open on Saturday mornings (at all other times call 020 8583 2222) 

Report your repairs 

Call the freephone number above or email housing.repairs@hounslowhomes.org.uk 

Go to www.hounslowhomes.org.uk and report a repair as well as book an appointment online 

DigiTV through you Virgin Media/Sky box 

EAST AREA 

FOR TENANCIES IN BRENTFORD AND CHISWICK 

There are two offices open part-time hours. For emails and post, 

please only contact the Brentford office. 

BRENTFORD OPENING HOURS 

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 5pm 

CHISWICK OPENING HOURS 

Monday and Tuesday 9am - 5pm 

ADDRESSES 

Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Chiswick W4 4JE or 

58-59 Brentford High Street, Brentford TW8 OAH 

CENTRAL AREA 

FOR TENANCIES IN HESTON, CRANFORD, 

HOUNSLOW AND ISLEWORTH 

OPENING HOURS 

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm 

The Langdale Centre, 240 Summerwood Road, Isleworth, 

Middlesex TW7 7QN 

WEST AREA 

FOR TENANCIES IN FELTHAM, BEDFONT AND HANWORTH 

OPENING HOURS 

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm 

St Catherine's House, 2 Hanworth Road, 

Feltham TW13 5AB 

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Services 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am - 4.45pm 

Thursday by appointment only 

Friday 9am - 4.30pm 

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS 

020 8583 3737 

Fax: 020 8583 4336 

Minicom: 0800 389 9821 

complaints.team@hounslowhomes.org.uk 

REPORT ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR 

Contact our customer service centre on 0800 085 6575 and 

Police: 020 8577 1212 or 

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 

Neighbourhood Wardens hotline number: 020 8583 4141 

Wardens can be contacted between 3-10pm everyday 

LEASEHOLDER SERVICES & HOME OWNERSHIP 

020 8583 4295 (Brentford & Chiswick) 

020 8583 3418 (Feltham) 

020 8583 3417 (Hounslow) 

Fax: 020 8583 4133 

home.ownership@hounslowhomes.org.uk 

RIGHT TO BUY 

020 8583 3916 

For heating repairs and maintenance 

call T Brown freephone 0800 634 9434 

LONDON BOROUGH OF HOUNSLOW CONTACTS 

HOUSING ADVICE SERVICE 

020 8583 3844 

Minicom: 020 8583 3111 

RE-HOUSING UNIT 

020 8583 4422 

HOUSING BENEFIT 

HELPLINE 

020 8583 4242 

HOMELESS PERSONS UNIT 

020 8583 3842 

Translations 

HOUNSLOW FEDERATION OF TENANTS’ AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS 

0794 840 1584 or www.hftra.co.uk 

If you need language assistance with this publication please ring 020 8583 2299 or Minicom 020 8583 3122. If you would like a copy 

of this publication in large print or Braille please ring 020 8583 2299. 

Somali 

Albanian Panjabi Gujarati 

Wargeyska Hounslow ee Guryuhu waa soo saarid qoraal ah oo 

loogu talo galay qofkasta oo ku nool Hantida ay leeyihin Qaybta 

Guryuhu. Haddii aad qoraalkan wax kaalmo ah aad uga baahatid 

fadlan soo garaac 020 8583 2520. 

“ËÎµLÁ·˘ Ë˘QÁ L›Ò{” Á‹Î«Îfl ’hÎ¿, ¿Îµ„LÁ·fiÎ ‹¿Îfi˘‹Î_ flËı÷Î_ ≠I›ı¿ ·˘¿˘ ‹ÎÀı ‹ÎÏË÷Ì ≠⁄_‘ 

¿fl‰Îfi˘ Ëı÷apple flÎ¬ı »ı. Ωı ÷ı‹Î_fiÌ ¿˘¥’HÎ Ï‰√÷˘ ÷‹fiı √apple…flÎ÷Ì‹Î_ ΩHÎ‰Î ‹ÎÀı ‹ÿÿ Ωı¥÷Ì Ë˘› ÷˘ 

¿Ú’›Î ±Î fi_⁄fl ’fl ÀıÏ·Œ˘fi ¿fl˘— 020 8583 2294 

‘ø√ÒØ ‘ØÓ˜ «È¿±˜ ¿∞‘Èª √≈apple∂ ÒØ’ª Ò¬∆ ‘À ‹Ø ‘≈¿±«√≥◊ «‚Í≈apple‡ÓÀ∫‡ Á∆ «ÁºÂ∆ ‘Ø¬∆ «apple‘≈«¬Ù 

”⁄ apple«‘ apple‘∂ ‘ÈÕ ‹∂’apple Â∞√ƒ «¬√ ÍÃ’≈ÙÈ ˘ √Ófi‰ Ò¬∆ ÓÁÁ ⁄≈‘πøÁ∂ ‘Ø Âª «’appleÍ≈ ’apple’∂ @B@ 

HEHC BBIG ”Â∂ ¯ØÈ ’appleØÕ 

Hounslow Homes News eshte per njerezit te cilet jetojne ne shtepija 

te Keshillit (Council Houses). Nese keni nevoje per ndihme per te 

kuptuar kete botim ne gjuhen tuaj, ju lutemi thirrni Sherbimin per 

Perkthime ne 020 8583 2298. 

Farsi Arabic Urdu Hindi 

Hounslow Homes Ltd. Registered Office: St. Catherine’s House, 2 Hanworth Road, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 5AB 

Registered in England and Wales - Company No. 4375061

September / October 2010 - Hounslow Homes

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