New Homes at Keel Close, WinterslowOn the 28th July 2017 the Association took ownership of five new spacious apartments in the village of Winterslow, near Salisbury. The properties consists of 2 x 1 bed apartments and 2 x 2 bed apartments let at an affordable rent and 1 x 2 bedroom apartment which has been sold on a ‘shared ownership’ basis. Full story on page 2.

NewsletterIssue 4 - October 2017

White Horse Housing Association - Newsletter Issue 4 October 2017

Inside this issue: Please find your FREE Fridge Magnet from 3 Solutions.We hope you find the enclosed fridge magnet useful. It shows all the numbers that you will need to keep in touch with us and 3 Solutions. More importantly, it shows our ‘Out of Hours Emergency number’.

New development

On the 28th July 2017 the Association took ownership of five new spacious apartments in the village of Winterslow, near Salisbury.

The properties form part of a small development built by Southcott Homes and the Association’s homes were provided through the Section 106 planning gain agreement.

All the apartments are designed to meet the Code of Sustainable Homes Level 3. They are heated with the latest Dimplex Quantum electric storage heaters which, combined with high levels of insulation, ensure the properties remain warm throughout the year. The properties are also fitted with thermostatic showers, modern kitchens and bathrooms, double glazing and a communal ariel/satellite dish system. The property also benefits from photo-voltaic panels installed on the roof that will generate electricity to help light the communal areas and cycle store. The properties have their own allocated parking spaces.

The total scheme cost was £635,000 including legal and agents fees.

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Keel Close, Winterslow near Salisbury

All smiles at the official handover of the 5 new homes at Winterslow.Left to right: Darren Harman - Managing Director of Southcott Homes, Mike Ash - Chair of White Horse Housing, Steve Warran - Chief Executive of White Horse Housing, Andy Mogg - Commercial Director of Southcott Homes, Dave Richards - Site Manager of Southcott Homes, Richard Kitson - Board Member of White Horse Housing.

The properties have been allocated to local people on the Homes4wiltshire housing register who demonstrated a high level of housing need.

The shared ownership apartment was sold through the Help to Buy scheme to a family with a strong local connection.

New Homes for the Future

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The Association continues to look for new development opportunities across its area of operation and maintains close links with each of its Local Authority partners. In particular, we are always keen to assess s106 ‘planning gain’ opportunities where we are able to buy a number of properties directly from the developer to rent or sell on a shared ownership basis. Such opportunities represent good value for money for the Association as the developers provide quality homes that meet our specifications at a price that ensures long term viability to the Association.

The next s106 development confirmed for 2018 is in Corston near Malmesbury. 4 x 2 bed ‘shared ownership’ houses. These properties are being built by Hills Homes of Swindon who are due to commence on site shortly. The new homes are expected to be completed by November 2018.

New homes in Allington near Amesbury.7 new homes which will include 5 affordable rent, (3 x 1 bed, 1 x 2 bed and 1 x 3 bed) and 2 x 2 bed and 1 x 3 bed houses for shared ownership.

New homes in Henstridge, South Somerset10 new homes which will include 4 social rented, (2 x 1 bed; 1 x 2 bed and 1 x 3 bed) and 4 x 3 bed affordable rented plus 1 x 2 bed, 1 x 3 bed shared ownership homes.

The Association is currently negotiating with a number of developers and their agents for further ‘S106 sites’ both within Wiltshire and Somerset. Much depends on the schemes overall viability and the availability of finance.

It is important to continue building a ‘pipeline’ of future schemes to grow the Association, improve our overall financial viability and of course, provide more affordable homes for local people in need.

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When do you have to claim Universal Credit?Universal Credit is for working aged tenants. If you are retired, it does not apply to you at present.

It is mostly a change of circumstances that triggers a Universal Credit application.

Not everyone who has a change of circumstances though will need to move to Universal Credit. They need to claim Universal Credit where that change would, under the old system, have meant them needing to make a new claim for an old benefit; i.e. a new claim for housing benefit, Income Based JSA, Income Related ESA, Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.

A new claim will not be needed where, for example, a working age person on Housing Benefit moves home within a local authority area (unless they have to make a new claim for one of the other old benefits.) Or where a dependent child becomes independent; e.g. turns 18 and leaves school/college.Also, due to the new 2 child limit for benefits, anyone who had 3 or more children as at 6th April 2017 has to claim the old benefits and not Universal Credit, this will be until 1st November 2018.

How is a claim for Universal Credit made?All areas of White Horse Housing’s operations are now subject to Full Service Universal Credit processes. The Full Service is digital by default and only in exceptional circumstances can a claim be made on the telephone. The Helpline Number for applicants is 0345 600 0723.

Tenants need to be able to get on-line, have an e-mail address and some way of checking their Universal Credit digital Journal regularly.

To make the on-line claim go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. Tenants also need to telephone the Universal Credit Service Centre after they have claimed on-line, this is to make an appointment at their Jobcentre to take their documents in. The claim will be cancelled if they do not do this.

Tenants should apply for Council Tax Support immediately as this is not usually included in their Universal Credit claim and is not able to be backdated.

Tenants should apply for Universal Credit if in work because this will be the only way for some to continue to receive the replacement benefit for Child and Working Tax Credit.

How can White Horse Housing help the tenant get on-line to complete a claim or access their Journal?As long as you have an internet connection in your own home, we can visit and assist you make a claim on-line.

If you do not have an internet connection, we can give you access to a PC in the office to make your on-line claim with staff support and assistance.

Universal Credit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tenants can also make an appointment to go in to a local library to get support with making an on-line application. Please get in touch for full details of where you can do this and how to make an appointment.

How long is the Assessment Period?Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears so tenants will have to wait one calendar month from their assessment date before their first Universal Credit payment is made. This is called their monthly assessment period (MAP). They then have to wait up to seven days for the payment to reach their bank account, making it a 5 week wait. If they are subject to the additional 7 waiting days, their assessment period will not commence until 7 days after the date of their Universal Credit application. This means it will take up to 6 weeks after the claim is made to get the first payment.

You are unlikely to be affected by the additional 7 waiting days if you:-

• Have claimed Universal Credit within the past six months• Are splitting up from, or moving in with, someone who’s already claiming Universal Credit• Are moving on to Universal Credit from another benefit• Are terminally ill• Are vulnerable, for example, recently been a victim of domestic violence is leaving care or prison

Can I get an Advance Payment?Tenants can ask for an advance payment of Universal Credit (up to 50% of their entitlement) to help them get by while they are waiting for their first payment. They should ask for an advance payment if they do not think they will have enough money to live on between when they apply and when they get their first payment.

How much can I earn when on Universal Credit?Claimants with children or limited capability for work due to poor health can earn £192 per month without it affecting their Universal Credit or £397 if not in receipt of housing costs. Single people and couples with no children have all their earnings taken in to account. For every pound they earn tenants will lose 63p of their Universal Credit after applying the above work allowance.

How does Universal Credit affect Non-Dependant Deductions?Under Universal Credit, there is a standard deduction amount for non-dependents living in the household. The amount is currently £70.06 per month for each non-dependant over the age of 21. There will be no deduction for anyone under the age of 21 whether working or not. There will also be no deduction for those over the age of 21 and in receipt of Pension Credit, middle or higher rate care component of DLA, Carer’s Allowance or if they are the primary carer of a child aged 4 or under.

Please call the office if you require further information regarding Universal Credit. We will be happy to help you.

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Repairs & Maintenance

The contracts formally started on 3 April 2017 with 3 Solutions. We are pleased that they have already delivered many of the improvements we specified.

☑ Repairs appointments at first point of contact through new integrated IT systems.

☑ Two new response times : P1 - Emergency (attend within 4 hours) and P2 - Standard (by mutual appointment).

☑ More appointments: These are now made for all jobs, including external and communal work, so that tenants know exactly when the repair will be done.

☑ Improved Image - Logoed vans and distinctive uniforms ensure all tenants know who the operative works for.

☑ Expanded choices for tenants having new kitchens, bathrooms and external decoration.

☑ Improved performance and higher levels of tenant satisfaction.

Responsive RepairsSince the introduction of the new repairs contracts the Association has also seen an increase in overall satisfaction with the repairs service - rising from 95% in 2016 to 98% now. This is an excellent result, particularly given the increase in repairs orders and the major changes to the service we have made.

Your feedback counts...We have been working with you, the residents of White Horse Housing for just over seven months; looking after your property repairs and maintenance throughout Wiltshire, Kilmersdon and the surrounding areas.

We actively use your feedback to constantly improve our business and provide you with the best possible service we possibly can.

If you have anything that you’d like to share, please contact us today by phone on 01749 344155 and speak to one of the team, you can also email us at enquiries@3solutionsltd.co.uk or write to us at 3 Solutions (2011) Ltd, Three Winds, Downside, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4FH.

We look forward to hearing from you... The 3 Solutions Team

Neighbourhood News

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Annual Resident Feedback GroupsDuring the year Resident Feedback groups have been held in Kilmersdon, Codford, Wroughton and Devizes. Over the four meetings, 47 tenants attended and gave their views on quality and value for money of the services we provide.

The Association also held an event in the wildlife area at Codford in conjunction with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. We try to hold an event at the wildlife area every year so that the children can get involved. The children especially enjoyed the nature activities, which included pond dipping and wild art.

The topics discussed this year centred on the review of the repairs and maintenance service. Tenants were asked for their opinions regarding response times, contractors performance and value for money.

Tenants were reminded that a Residents Scrutiny Panel had been established to comment on performance, customer-facing policies and value for money. Their views would be fed back to the Board in order to influence our policies and how we should deliver our services. To date, there have been two meetings of the Resident Scrutiny Panel. If you would like to join the Residents Scrutiny Panel, please contact Belinda Eastland, who will be able to give you further information Tel: 01380 850916 or Email belinda.eastland@whitehorsehousing.co.uk

Neighbourhood VoiceResidents discussed the new “Neighbourhood Voice” initiative and were given an example of a scheme where we have a local resident willing to assist with keeping the area clean, tidy, and reporting any repairs that need doing.

Tenants were asked if overall, they felt they got value for money for their rent and everyone agreed that they did. One tenant commented that the solar panels we installed on his home has meant that his electricity bill is now extremely low and it has made a big difference to him.

Dates for next years Resident Feedback Group will be illustrated in our April 2018 newsletter. Please look out for these dates as we would very much like you to come along for a chat, its a way of meeting staff and tenants discussing what affects you and finding out information about the Association.

Picture coloured in by Sophie Woolhouse aged 5.

White Horse Housing Association LtdNew HallMarket PlaceMelkshamWiltshireSN12 6EXT: 01380 850916E: info@whitehorsehousing.co.uk

www.whitehorsehousing.co.uk

6 Monthly Date of Scheme Visit

BurbageCollingbourne Milton LilbourneRushallNorth Newnton

21/11/2017

RedlynchWhiteparishWinterslow

09/11/2017

South MarstonWanboroughWroughton

21/11/2017

TilsheadCodfordCorsley

17/01/2018

Neighbourhood Scheme Visits 2017/2018

Reader ServiceIf you would like any information on any of the items in this issue or if you would like to join one of our Postal or Virtual Consultative Groups, please contact us on 01380 850916 or Email: info@whitehorsehousing.co.uk.

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My Tenancy In October 2016 the Association launched the ‘My Tenancy’ service, which enables all tenants to

securely log onto their own personal records through our website and check their rent accounts, repairs history, personal details and much more.

Feedback from tenants is good. We presently have an average of 15 users logging in and using ‘My Tenancy’ . If you are one of these users and you feel the ‘My Tenancy’ system is a useful tool to check your rent account, update your personal details etc. please let other tenants know, so that we can get as many tenants using this

system. It is important our tenants have access to their personal information at all times.