At the Heart Special Regeneration Edition 2017 by Havering Council

Magazine for tenants and leaseholders June 2017

l a i c e p S ration

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Dear residents Welcome to this special edition of At the Heart which aims to bring you up to date on what is happening regarding Havering Council’s Housing Regeneration Programme. This £1billion programme aims to provide around 3,500 new homes for Havering residents to replace some of those sold under the Right to Buy scheme. This is one of the most ambitious public sector house building programmes currently underway in London and the largest housing regeneration programme since Havering Council was formed in 1965. This is a key part of the new Havering Vision which was launched in March this year The main principle is that we will have new homes for affordable rent which will at least replace the original number of Council properties on the estates being regenerated. When complete, this will mean more homes available for Council tenants and, under current legislation, they will not be open to Right to Buy applications for less than the cost of building the property for 15 years which, in reality, keeps those homes available for rent for that period of time. We will also be building properties for Low Cost Home Ownership (LCHO), which is often called Shared Ownership, so that Havering residents wanting to get a first step on the home ownership ladder will receive a helping hand. Before anyone can join the Housing Register to become a Council tenant they must have lived in Havering for a minimum of six years and the LCHO properties are also only available to Havering residents. Throughout this magazine we have given you the latest information at the time of going to print, but the best way to keep up to date is through the web page link for each estate, as the web pages are regularly updated when changes occur. As always, if you have any questions or comments you wish to raise with me, please use the feedback sheet on the inside back cover of this magazine or come along to one of the Housing Surgeries we run regularly across the borough. Councillor Damian White Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing

OTHER FORMATS Havering Council will consider requests for documents to be translated or converted into other formats. More info

www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing

For details of Councillor White's surgeries please see page 19 For more information visit: www.havering.gov.uk/HousingSurgeries

At The Heart Regeneration Special 2017

Published by Havering Council | Job no. 5020 June 2017

Housing Regeneration Programme is biggest in Havering’s history

Albyns Close is a recent development completed by Havering Council The £1 billion Housing Regeneration Programme currently underway is the largest in Havering’s history and will deliver around 3,500 new homes for Havering residents over the next 10 years. Since Right to Buy started around 4,000 Council homes have been sold and these need to be replaced.

Family homes, with two or more bedrooms, are in particular demand. All the new properties are being built to high standards and are energy efficient, with many having solar panels installed to help keep fuel costs down for tenants.

Havering Council’s Cabinet decided in June 2016 to consult with residents on 12 sites across the borough to gather their views on the regeneration proposals. Director of Housing and Regeneration, Neil Stubbings, conducted a series of open meetings on each regeneration area to gather comments and suggestions from residents. Those views formed part of a report that Cabinet received in October 2016. Based on the support from residents, Cabinet gave the go-ahead for this ambitious regeneration programme. The land being used is owned by us and will remain in Council ownership. Many of the 3,500 new homes will be for rent, but some will be Low Cost Home Ownership, where we retain a share in the property and it must be sold back to the Council when the owner moves. Some will also be available for sale.

These new Council-built properties in Ongar Way, Rainham, show the high standard of design and build involved

Who will get the new homes? This year saw changes in the Housing Allocations Policy, which means people have to live in Havering for a minimum of six years before being eligible for Council housing. This will apply to all the new homes for affordable rent on all the regeneration sites.

How we keep you in touch

Throughout the regeneration programme there will be: Residents’ Open Meetings which will be open to any resident living on that regeneration area Residents’ Group Meetings for members of the focus groups being set up for each regeneration area Neighbour Meetings for people living near each regeneration area Newsletters for residents living in each regeneration area and also for people living adjacent to them Dedicated web pages for each regeneration area Social media postings as appropriate Media release to local press and television

• • • • • • • 3

At Theout Heart 2017 Find moreSpring at www.havering.gov.uk/HousingRegeneration

• Contact officer: Keith.Brown@havering.gov.uk

If you own your home If you own your own home in one of the regeneration areas then the Council is keen to buy it back from you. A dedicated officer, Ian Nolan, is leading on all the buy backs.

valuation you can, with prior permission, appoint your own RICS qualified surveyor to do a valuation and we will pay his fees.

There are three independent local firms of qualified surveyors who have been chosen to value your home.

We want to negotiate with you to agree a price but if agreement can’t be reached the final decision will be made by the independent District Valuer and a Compulsory Purchase Order will be served on the property.

You will be offered full market value plus 10 per cent if you are a resident home owner, or plus 7.5 per cent if you are not resident. When the offer is made you can accept it and we will buy from you straight away. If you disagree with the

What happens and when? All tenants in the regeneration areas have been offered a one-to-one meeting to discuss their housing needs and most have now had these meetings. The information gathered is put on a Decant Assessment Form (DAF) which is sent to the tenant for them to check and sign. The DAF information is then used to match their housing need against properties which become available. If a match is achieved an offer is made and people then move. Those moves have been taking place since January 2017. In March 2017 development companies across the country were invited to express interest in Havering’s

More information: Ian.Nolan@havering.gov.uk regeneration programmes and throughout the summer of 2017 discussions will be held with those companies to find one that matches the Council’s vision and desire for high quality homes and has the financial capacity to build them. In November or December 2017 Havering Council’s Cabinet will agree which development company is right for our borough. In the first half of 2018 a Joint Venture Company will be set up, half-owned by havering Council and half by the development partner. In the second half of 2018 plans and designs will be prepared for the first phase of the building work and consultation will be held with residents before formal planning applications are submitted. Residents will also be able to comment during the planning process. In late 2018 the demolition of the first sites is expected to begin and new homes for Havering people will then start to be built.

TPAS offers individual advice Havering Council has contracted TPAS to provide free, independent help and advice to individual tenants. TPAS will provide independent advice to any resident who needs help. They will support you and work on your behalf to ensure that you are fully informed. For more information on their approach, role and the standards that you can expect from TPAS please look at their Service Charter. More information: www.havering.gov.uk/TPASinHavering 44

At The The Heart Heart Regeneration Spring 2017 Special 2017 At

How to contact TPAS Phone TPAS on the Independent Advisor Freephone: 0800 731 1619. If you are calling from a landline the call is totally free to you but if you are using a mobile phone tell TPAS straight away and they will call you right back.

Waterloo Estate is leading the way

With 285 homes on the estate, this is the largest number of families who will need to move to allow the demolition of the existing premises.

the estate are able to sell it back to the Council and many have already done so, while others are having their home valued and negotiating the sale.

It is expected that the demolition work will start in late 2018. Most Council tenants have now had a one-to-one meeting to discuss their housing needs and have received their Decant Assessment Form (DAF) which summarises those needs.

Empty properties

The DAF is used to match empty properties that become available against residents’ requirements and if there is a match a viewing is arranged and the property is offered to that resident. If the offer is accepted a moving date is agreed and help given to make the move. Around one in six of the Council tenants on the Waterloo estate have already moved or been matched to a potential new home. It is possible that the regeneration of the estate will be phased and anyone who wishes to return to one of the new properties which meets their housing needs will have the opportunity to do so provided they let us know on their DAF. People who own their own home on

When a Waterloo Estate resident moves out to a new home, the property they leave behind is usually being used to accommodate families that are in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfast or in a hostel. These are being let on short term agreements which can be ended quickly when the property is eventually needed for demolition. As it becomes empty, the Queen Street sheltered housing scheme is being used as an extension of the Queen Street Villas hostel to provide additional temporary accommodation. The hostel will be demolished as part of the regeneration of the estate and alternative housing will be found for people currently living here.

Residents’ Group

Fact File

• • •

urrently: C 285 homes and one public house Proposed: 1,100 new mixed tenure homes Area: 45,000 square metres

Next meeting The next Residents’ Open Meetings are planned for Tuesday 19 September 2017 and Tuesday 16 January 2018

• •from 6pm until 7pm at

y Tuesda

BER 2017

SEPTEM

The Salvation Army, 50 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ 5

Find out more at: www.havering.gov.uk/WaterlooEstate At The Heart Spring 2017

A Residents’ Group has been formed to gather information and feedback from those living on the estate and to share information between the main Open Meetings. This group, which has around 20 members drawn from across the estate, meets when there is something relevant to discuss rather than on a fixed schedule.

The Reverend Lara Dose, from St Andrew's with St Agnes' Church, has agreed to be non-denominational chaplain for the Waterloo Estate and is available to listen to concerns or provide help as required to people of any or no faith. You can contact her on 01708 728583.

• Contact officer: Julieann.Brewster@havering.gov.uk or: John.Bloss@havering.gov.uk

Queen Street sheltered scheme first to be emptied Almost all of the 28 tenants in the Queen Street sheltered housing scheme have now been moved to alternative accommodation which meets their housing needs. This site is part of the Waterloo Estate regeneration area and there will be no new sheltered housing on this site. The sheltered housing Scheme Officers have worked closely with tenants to help make the moves happen as quickly and smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption for tenants. Because of the speed of finding alternative accommodation for tenants at the scheme, no Residents’ Group has been set up.

Neil Stubbings talks to residents about the regeneration scheme

Empty properties

When a resident moves out to a new home the property they leave behind is usually being used to accommodate families that are in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfast. These are being let on short term agreements which can be quickly ended when the property is eventually needed for demolition. The Queen Street sheltered housing scheme is being used as an extension of the Queen Street Villas hostel until demolition takes place, probably in late 2018. 66

At The HeartatSpring 2017 Find out more www.havering.gov.uk/QueenStreet

Fact File

• C28urrently: homes roposed: • PThe site is part of the 1,100 •

new mixed tenure homes on the Waterloo Estate Area: 5,000 square metres

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Tower block work is long overdue

The two tower blocks, which are Napier House and New Plymouth House in Rainham, have 98 flats between them. Both buildings have been earmarked as needing considerable work to meet modern standards, so demolition and building new homes on the site is the best possible option. It is expected that the demolition work will start in late 2018. Most Council tenants have now had a one-to-one meeting to discuss their housing needs and have received their Decant Assessment Form (DAF) which summarises those needs. The DAF is used to match empty properties that become available against residents’ requirements and if there is a match a viewing is arranged and the property is offered to that resident.

If the offer is accepted a moving date is agreed and help given to make the move. People who own their own home are able to sell it back to the Council and some have already done so, while others are having their home valued and negotiating the sale. Of the 10 leaseholders on the site eight are in negotiation regarding the sale of their home.

Empty properties

When a resident moves out to a new home the property they leave behind is usually being used to accommodate families that are in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfast or in a hostel. These are being let on short term agreements which can be quickly ended when the property is eventually needed for demolition.

Thursda

Next meetings The next Residents’ Open Meetings are planned for Thursday 28 September 2017 and Thursday 25 January 2018

• • from 6pm until 7pm at La Salette Church Hall, BER 2017

SEPTEM

Fact File

Currently: • 98 homes Proposed: • 200 new mixed tenure homes Area: • 7,300 square metres

1 Rainham Road, Rainham, RM13 8SP

Find out more at: www.havering.gov.uk/NapierandNewPlymouth 7 At The Heart Spring 2017

• Contact officer: Julieann.Brewster@havering.gov.uk or: John.Bloss@havering.gov.uk

At The Heart Spring 2017

Residents moving out of Hornchurch sheltered scheme

Sheltered Housing Manager Sharon Nunn and Community Engagement Manager Keith Brown talk to residents about the regeneration scheme There are 32 sheltered housing tenants in Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane and already many of them have been matched to suitable accommodation that meets their housing needs. Moving dates are being agreed and work is underway to help them move as quickly as possible to their new homes. Some of the sheltered housing properties are surrounded by general needs housing which is not ideal due to noise and other disturbance to older residents in the sheltered accommodation.

This site is part of the Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane Estate regeneration area and there will be no new sheltered housing on this site. The sheltered housing Scheme Officers are working closely with tenants to help make the moves happen as quickly and smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption for tenants. Because of the speed of finding alternative accommodation for tenants at the scheme, no Residents’ Group has been set up.

Empty properties

Fact File

• C32urrently: homes P roposed: • The site is part of the 200 new • 8

Find out more at www.havering.gov.uk/Maygreen

mixed tenure homes proposed for the Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane Estate Area: 14,000 square metres

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Double the housing in Hornchurch

With just 93 homes on the estate this has large areas of underutilised land which attracts Anti-Social Behaviour and fly- tipping. The aim is to demolish both the general needs flats and the Park Lane sheltered housing scheme and replace them with 200 modern homes for Havering residents. It is expected that the demolition work will start in late 2018. Most Council tenants have now had a one-to-one meeting to discuss their housing needs and have received their Decant Assessment Form (DAF) which summarises those needs. The DAF is used to match empty properties that become available against residents’ requirements and if there is a match a viewing is arranged and the property is offered to that resident. If the offer is accepted a moving date is agreed and help given to make the move. Several Council tenants on the estate have already moved or been matched to a potential new home. Anyone who wishes to return to one of the new properties which meets their housing needs will have the opportunity to do so provided they let us know on their DAF.

d Wednes

Property and Land Services Manager, Kevin Hazlewood, talks to residents about the regeneration scheme People who own their own home on the estate are able to sell it back to the Council and many have already done so, while others are having their home valued and negotiating the sale.

Empty properties

Next meetings The next Residents’ Open Meetings are planned for Wednesday 13 September 2017 and Wednesday 24 January 2018

• • from 5.30pm until 7pm at Maygreen Crescent BER 2017

SEPTEM

Fact File

Currently: • 93 homes Proposed: • 200 new mixed tenure homes Area: • 14,000 square metres

communal lounge, Park Lane, Hornchurch RM11 1EL.

At The Spring 2017 Find outHeart more at www.havering.gov.uk/MaygreenCrescent

• Contact officer: Kimberly.Miller@havering.gov.uk

At The Heart Spring 2017

Serena, Solar and Sunrise to become Older Persons’ Village

Serena, Solar and Sunrise sheltered housing scheme on Sunrise Avenue, Hornchurch will be one of the first sites to be developed as the scheme includes many bedsits which people do not wish to live in. Under the Housing Regeneration Programme the proposal is to demolish all the existing buildings and develop an Older Persons’ Village on the site.

When they move on, that property would have to be sold to people who meet the criteria for sheltered housing. Existing tenants are already being matched with properties which meet their housing needs. The sheltered housing Scheme Officers will work closely with tenants to help make the moves happen as quickly and smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption for tenants.

Empty properties This will include new sheltered housing, extra care sheltered housing and some dementia care sheltered housing accommodation. There will also be some Low Cost Home Ownership and sheltered housing for sale on the site, so that elderly people living on their own in a family home will be able to buy a smaller property more suitable for their needs.

Fact File

• C55urrently: homes P roposed: • 150 new mixed tenure homes • 1010

developed as an Older Persons’ Village Area: 10,100 square metres

At The HeartatSpring 2017 Find out more www.havering.gov.uk/SSS

Residents’ Group A Residents’ Group has been set up at Serena, Solar and Sunrise sheltered housing scheme. The group has around 15 members and will help contribute towards the design and layout of the Older Persons’ Village. If you live at Serena, Solar and Sunrise sheltered housing scheme and want to get involved in the Residents’ Group please let Community Engagement Officer Chelsea Potts or your Scheme Officer know.

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Scheme will boost Central Romford affordable housing

The 84 flats at Oldchurch Gardens, Romford were originally built as temporary accommodation for nurses working at the nearby Oldchurch Hospital. The hospital is long gone, and replaced by Queen’s Hospital, but the flats are still occupied by local residents. The state of repair leaves a lot to be desired and, having considered if refurbishment was possible, it was felt that the best thing to do was demolish the existing flats and build new ones on the site. At an open meeting residents agreed, so the proposal is to build 300 new homes on the site. These will be mixed tenure flats. It is expected that the demolition work will start in 2019 or 2020. Most Council tenants have now had a one-to-one meeting to discuss their housing needs and have received their Decant Assessment Form (DAF) which summarises those needs. The DAF is used to match empty properties that become available against residents’ requirements and if there is a match a viewing is arranged and the property is offered to that resident. If the offer is accepted a moving date is agreed and help given to make the move. Several of the Council tenants on the estate have already moved or been matched to a potential new home.

Fact File

Currently: • 84 homes P roposed: • 300 new mixed tenure homes Area: • 12,000 square metres

Neil Stubbings, talks to residents about the regeneration scheme Anyone who wishes to return to one of the new properties, which meets their housing needs will have the opportunity to do so provided they let us know on their DAF. People who own their own home on the estate are able to sell it back to the Council and many have already done so, while others are having their home valued and negotiating the sale.

Empty properties

Tuesda

Next meetings The next Residents’ Open Meetings are planned for Tuesday 26 September 2017 and Tuesday 09 January 2018

• • from 7pm until 9pm at YMCA, Rush Green Rd, BER 2017

SEPTEM

Dagenham, Romford RM7 0PH.

Residents’ Group Residents decided not to form a Residents’ Group at the moment but one may be launched in the future. If you are interested in joining such a group please contact Community Engagement Officer, Denise Kelly Email: Denise.Kelly@havering.gov.uk

At The Spring 2017 FindHeart out more at www.havering.gov.uk/OldchurchGardens

• Contact officer: Denise.Kelly@havering.gov.uk

At The Heart Spring 2017

Delderfield House to be demolished

Empty properties

Delderfield House in Portnoi Close, Romford has 14 sheltered housing properties, 10 of which were occupied when the Housing Regeneration Programme got underway. Some of those residents have already been matched with properties which meet their housing needs and are in the process of moving to their new homes. The sheltered housing Scheme Officers will work closely with tenants to help make the moves happen as quickly and smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption for tenants.

Because of the small number of residents at Delderfield House they decided not to set up a Residents' Group.

Fact File

• C14urrently: homes • P30roposed: new mixed tenure homes rea: • A10,000 square metres 1212

At The HeartatSpring 2017 Find out more www.havering.gov.uk/Delderfield

Director of Housing Neil Stubbings talks to residents about the regeneration scheme

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Going up to provide new homes

The regeneration proposal for Chippenham Road, Farnham Road and Hilldene Avenue, in Harold Hill, is unique in that it involves building two storeys of lightweight flats on top of the existing flats which are themselves above shops.

Many Council tenants in Chippenham Road, Farnham Road and Hilldene Avenue have now had a one-to-one meeting to discuss their housing needs and have received their Decant Assessment Form (DAF) which summarises those needs.

At the same time, work will be done on the existing properties to improve the standard of accommodation currently available. This is likely to include improved insulation, new lifts, electrical and drainage works and work on the balconies and exterior of the building.

The DAF is used to match empty properties that become available against residents’ requirements and if there is a match a viewing is arranged and the property is offered to that resident.

The proposal is to do the work one block at a time, moving all the residents of that block out while work is done on the existing properties and while the new homes are put in place by crane. Residents would then be able to move back to their flat if they wanted to do so. Monday

Next meetings The next Residents’ Open Meetings are planned for Monday 11 September 2017 and Monday 22 January 2018

• • from 6pm until 7pm at St George's Church Hall, BER 2017

SEPTEM

Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 8HX.

Residents’ Group A Residents’ Group has been formed to gather information and feedback from those living on the estate and to share information with between the main Open Meetings. This group, which has around 10 members drawn from across the estate, meets when there is something relevant to discuss rather than on a fixed schedule. 13

Find out more at www.havering.gov.uk/Hilldene At The Heart Spring 2017

If the offer is accepted a moving date is agreed and help given to make the move. People who own their own home in Chippenham Road, Farnham Road and Hilldene Avenue are able to sell it back to the Council and some have already done so, while others are having their home valued and negotiating the sale.

Empty properties

When a Chippenham Road, Farnham Road and Hilldene Avenue resident moves out to a new home the property they leave behind is usually being used to accommodate families that are in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfast or in a hostel. These are being let on short term agreements which can be quickly ended when the property is eventually needed for building work to take place.

Fact File

Proposed: • 63 new mixed tenure

homes built on top of existing structure

• Contact officer: Julieann.Brewster@havering.gov.uk or: John.Bloss@havering.gov.uk

At The Heart Spring 2017

Dell Court to become flats for over-55s

Dell Court has 29 sheltered housing units on the site at Ravenscourt Grove in Hornchurch. The existing building will be demolished and replaced with 40 flats for people over the age of 55 years. Because Dell Court is at the heart of the Ravenscourt Grove sheltered housing scheme it is an ideal site for such flats. The communal facilities in the existing building, which are also used by Ravenscourt Grove scheme residents, will be improved as part of the programme. The sheltered housing Scheme Officers will work closely with tenants to help make the moves happen as quickly and smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption for tenants.

Empty properties

When a resident moves out to a new home the property they leave behind is usually being used to accommodate families that are in temporary

These are being let on short term agreements which can be quickly ended when the property is eventually needed for demolition.

accommodation, such as bed and breakfast.

Fact File

• • • 1414

Currently: 29 homes Proposed: 40 new flats for people over the age of 55 years Area: 5,050 square metres

At The HeartatSpring 2017 Find out more www.havering.gov.uk/DellCourt

Director of Housing Neil Stubbings talks to residents about the regeneration scheme

Residents’ Group A Residents’ Group has been set up at Dell Court and will help contribute towards the design and layout of the new flats. If you live at Dell Court and want to get involved in the Residents’ Group please let Community Engagement Officer, Chelsea Potts, or your Scheme Officer know.

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Infill plans will lead to 350 new homes

Durham Avenue and Elvet Avenue in Gidea Park is run by the DELTA TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) on behalf of Havering Council. A number of sites on the estate have been identified as having potential for new homes to be built. These are mainly under used parcels of land, such as garage sites or open space, and between them a total of around 350 new properties can be built as well as reducing the potential for Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). The proposals have been discussed with the DELTA TMO Management Board (pictured), which has given broad

support to the proposals on condition that there is adequate parking provision following the redevelopment and that there is somewhere for children on the estate to play. A Residents’ Open Meeting also broadly supported the Management Board’s views. y

Tuesda

Next meetings The next Residents’ Open Meetings are planned for Tuesday 5 September 2017 and Tuesday 6 February 2018

• • from 5pm until 8pm at The Conference Room, BER 2017

SEPTEM

Havering College of Further and Higher Education, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 2LL.

Residents’ Group Fact File

Proposed: • 350 new mixed tenure homes Area: • 12,000 square metres

Instead of setting up a new Residents’ Group for the DELTA TMO estate, consultation will take place with the TMO Management Board which has been elected by residents to manage the estate. This Board include Council tenants and leaseholders.

At The Heart Spring Find out more2017 at www.havering.gov.uk/DELTATMO

• Contact officer: Joanne.Mahony@havering.gov.uk

Royal Jubilee Court to become Older Persons’ Village 16

At The Heart Spring 2017

Royal Jubilee Court, on Main Road, Gidea Park, has 52 sheltered housing units on the site but many of these are bedsits which people do not wish to live in. Under the Housing Regeneration Programme the proposal is to keep the two mock Tudor buildings at the front of the site while the remainder of the existing buildings will be demolished. These will be replaced by an Older Persons’ Village which will include new sheltered housing, extra care sheltered housing and some dementia care sheltered housing accommodation. There will also be some Low Cost Home Ownership and sheltered housing for sale on the site so that elderly people living on their own in a family home will be able to buy a smaller property more suitable for their needs.

Director of Housing Neil Stubbings talks to residents about the regeneration scheme

Empty properties

When they move on, that property would have to be sold to people who meet the criteria for sheltered housing.

When a resident moves out to a new home the property they leave behind is usually being used to accommodate families that are in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfast.

This scheme is due to be undertaken towards the end of the Housing Regeneration programme with work likely to start around 2020.

These are being let on short term agreements which can be quickly ended when the property is eventually needed for demolition.

Fact File

• C52urrently: homes P roposed: • 150 new mixed tenure homes as • 1616

an Older Persons’ Village Area: 12,100 square metres

At The HeartatSpring 2017 Find out more www.havering.gov.uk/RJC

Residents’ Group A Residents’ Group has been set up at Royal Jubilee Court and will help contribute towards the design and layout of the Older Persons’ Village. If you live at Royal Jubilee Court and want to get involved in the Residents’ Group please let Community Engagement Officer Chelsea Potts or your Scheme Officer know.

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Brunswick Court to be new sheltered scheme

Brunswick Court sheltered housing scheme on Brunswick Avenue, Cranham will be one of the last sites to be developed, even though the scheme includes many bedsits which people do not wish to live in.

Residents wanting to return to the site are welcome to do so but will need to move out while the building work takes place, which is likely to be in 2020. Sheltered Housing Team Manager Sharon Nunn talks to residents about the regeneration scheme Under the Housing Regeneration Programme the proposal is to demolish all the existing buildings and develop a new sheltered housing scheme on the site. This will include new sheltered housing, extra care sheltered housing and some dementia care sheltered housing accommodation.

Fact File

Currently: • 47 homes P roposed: • 50 new sheltered housing

• 17

properties Area: 5,000 square metres

The sheltered housing Scheme Officers will work closely with tenants to help make the moves happen as quickly and smoothly as possible with the minimum of disruption for tenants, including the move back for those who wish to do so.

Residents’ Group A Residents’ Group has been set up at Brunswick Court sheltered housing scheme. The group has around 15 members and will help contribute towards the design and layout of the new sheltered housing scheme. If you live at Brunswick Court sheltered housing scheme and want to get involved in the Residents’ Group please let Community Engagement Officer Chelsea Potts or your Scheme Officer know.

At The Heart 2017 FindSpring out more at www.havering.gov.uk/Brunswick

• Contact officer: Chelsea.Potts@havering.gov.uk

Helping you make your right move Available properties In the first quarter of 2017, 42 per cent of the properties which became empty were matched against residents moving from areas within the Housing Regeneration Programme with 58 per cent being made available through the normal bidding process for people on the Housing Register.

The Council is committed to maintaining a balance of empty properties being available for tenants moving through the Housing Regeneration Programme and those seeking a new home through the bidding process.

Disturbance Payments

Home Loss Payments

Disturbance Payments are designed to help cover the costs of moving, so that tenants are not out of pocket.

Every Council tenant who has lived in their current property for more than 12 months and is moving home because of the Housing Regeneration Programme is entitled by law to a Home Loss Payment.

These cover, for example, removal costs, cost of curtains and carpets if these can’t be moved from the former property, cost of disconnecting and reconnecting gas, electric, telecoms and other utility services, as well as redirecting post. If tenants choose to use the Council’s approved suppliers then the invoices are paid direct by the Council. If other suppliers are used then their quotes must be approved before they do any work and a proper VAT invoice received so that the tenant can then claim these costs back from the Council. Payments can take up to two weeks to process.

That is currently set as £5,800 per property. Before it is paid any rent arrears or other charges regarding the tenancy will be deducted, including any costs regarding damage to the property or it being left in a poor condition. The payment will be paid direct to the tenant’s bank account and will be authorised on the day they move in to their new home. Payments usually take around two weeks to process.

Downsizing If a tenant chooses to move to a smaller property as part of their Housing Regeneration Programme move they will still be entitled to the downsizing payment of £1,000 for the first bedroom they give up and £500 for every further bedroom they give up.

•

At The Heart Spring 2017 1818 More information: www.havering.gov.uk/HousingRegeneration Contact: housingregeneration@havering.gov.uk

Investing in your homes Alongside the Housing Regeneration Programme, investment is continuing in the rest of Havering Council’s housing stock.

Where the money will go

The budget allocates around £4.8 million for improvements to 12 sheltered housing schemes over the next two years, which will include improved security, such as CCTV and video door entry systems, as well as installing lifts where none currently exist and refurbishing existing lifts so that they meet modern standards, as well as replacing washing machines and dryers in laundries and otherprojects specific to each scheme. The aim is to bring Havering’s sheltered housing up to a higher standard so that tenants can live in comfortable and secure homes. There is also money being invested in general needs housing, with around £10 million allocated in the current financial year on projects ranging from improved insulation and new kitchens, replacing lifts to renewing roofs. Havering Council is committed to ensuring that its properties meet the Decent Homes Standard and this major budget allocation is evidence of that commitment.

These are some of the projects that will receive investment in this financial year • £1 million to be spent on external refurbishment • £ 2.5 million being spent on External Wall Insulation to 160 houses • £ 1.2 million to be spent renewing approximately 340 bathrooms • £ 450,000 to be spent on renewing approximately 70 kitchens • £ 1.5 million to be spent on renewing roofs • £ 300,000 to be spent on replacement boilers and heating systems • A pproximately £500,000 to be spent on replacement windows and doors • £ 450,000 to be spent on rewiring properties • £ 1.2 million to be spent on remodelling hard to let bedsit properties and creating one-bedroom homes • £ 2.3 million to be spent on refurbishment of communal areas in our retained Sheltered schemes, to create Community Hubs.

Cabinet Member’s Surgery Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damian White, is holding regular surgeries across the Borough so that Council tenants can call in and discuss housing issues with him.

The surgeries will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and any tenants are welcome to come along. All discussions will be confidential.

The next monthly surgery dates are: Date Fri 26 May 2017

Venue Town Hall

Fri 23 June 2017

Macon Way Council Office Macon Way, Upminster RM14 1NY

4 – 6pm

Fri 28 July 2017

Highfield Community Hall

Hillrise Road, Collier Row RM5 3DQ

4 – 6pm

Fri 25 August 2017

Hacton Hall

Haydock Close, Hornchurch RM12 6EA

4 – 6pm

Main Road, Romford RM1 3BB

4 – 6pm

Fri 29 September 2017 Town Hall Fri 27 October 2017

Address Main Road, Romford RM1 3BB

Macon Way Council Office Macon Way, Upminster RM14 1NY

Time 4 – 6pm

4 – 6pm

Fri 24 November 2017 Highfield Community Hall

Hillrise Road, Collier Row RM5 3DQ

4 – 6pm

Fri 15 December 2017 Hacton Hall

Haydock Close, Hornchurch, RM12 6EA

4 – 6pm

And there’s more Councillor White is holding extra surgery days in addition to his monthly evening surgeries. You will be able to book a 10 minute appointment to see him or Councillor Jason Frost. The dates are as follows: Wednesday 7 June, Wednesday 14 June, Thursday 22 June. The surgeries will be from 10am to 4pm, at The Salvation Army, 50 High Street, Romford Town Centre, RM1 1JJ. Pre-booking is essential – please log on to www.havering.gov.uk/HousingSurgeries and follow the link to book your appointment on a date and at a time of your choice. If your preferred date and time has already been taken you will be asked to choose an alternative, and when your booking is completed, you will be sent an email confirmation for your appointment. 19 At The Heart Spring 2017 www.havering.gov.uk 19

Havering Council Presents

NEW FOR 2 KOSHO017 VIP AREA

Free Entr y

The Havering Show 27 & 28 August, 11am - 7pm Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch

Time 107.5FM Main Stage Headline Acts

KENNY THOMAS RAY LEWIS AND THE DRIFTERS THE BLOCKHEADS ANGIE BROWN THE DUALERS Tribute Bands

MAJESTY – QUEEN TRIBUTE THE STYLE COUNCILLORS

www.havering.gov.uk/haveringshow @LBofHavering

At The Heart Spring 2017

CAR PARK

£2

• Fairk Live Stytes • Perfo age r manc e Stage

• Stree • Licen t Food sed Ba rs • Fun F air

/haveringevents lbofhavering