Acceptable behaviour contract (ABC)
Acceptable Behaviour Contract. A resident or their children can
be asked to sign an ABC, agreeing to behave in an acceptable way.
If not, further tenancy action may be taken against the
resident
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is housing built with subsidy from the
Government, Housing Association or other means, either for rent,
outright sale, or shared ownership. The subsidy enables the cost of
rent/purchase to be affordable for households who cannot otherwise
afford the market rent/sale price in the area.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
Is behaviour which goes against what is generally acceptable to
society. This can include criminal acts as well as less serious
behaviour such as general un-neighbourly behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour order (ASBO)
Allows a Council and/or a Housing Association to apply to the
court to stop an individual behaving in a particular way and/or
from going to particular places.
ASBO's can be issued against any individual over 10 years old.
Breaching the order can carry a 5 year prison sentence.
Annual Efficiency Statement (AES)
An annual report submitted by every Housing Association to the
Housing Corporation detailing how they will make savings or
increase the level of services for the same cost.
Assets
Things that have a value and which can be expressed in money
terms. 'Fixed assets' cannot be readily converted into cash, such
as properties which take time to sell, and which will benefit the
organisation for more than one year. Current assets include cash
and bank balances and those assets which are readily convertible
into cash e.g. debts due.
Audit Commission (AC)
Is the Government's inspection and assessment organisation. It
inspects the services of Councils and Housing Associations.
Bench marking
When organisations compare their performance to other
organisations.
Benefit Overpayments
Is a housing benefit payment that is made for a variety of
reasons in error to a resident who is not entitled to it. Housing
benefit overpayments are not rent arrears and cannot be included in
possession proceedings via the court.
Best Value
Is used by Councils and Housing Associations to review the
services they provide and improve service quality and cost
effectiveness. This must be done in consultation with people who
use the services and the wider community.
BME
Black Minority Ethnic, term used to describe minority groups
recognised as falling under the Race Relations Act 1976.
Capital Expenditure
The term covers investment in permanent assets such as land,
buildings roads, etc. and major investment in existing homes and
providing new homes.
Clifton Estate Ltd
Clifton Estate Limited administers a small number of non Social
Housing dwellings and garages and passes any surplus it makes to
the JRF by way of Gift Aid to help support the Research
programme.
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
A mandatory means-tested grant payable by a local authority to
meet or contribute to the cost of improvement and/or adaptation to
a disabled person's property, the adaptation which is intended to
assist with independent living in the community.
Early Years provision
Generally describes services for children under school age -
e.g. toddler group playgroup & nursery provision.
Egan Compliant
Conforms to the principles of the Egan Report (1999) that set
standards for improving quality and eliminating waste in the
construction industry.
Extra Care
Extra care is now widely used to describe retirement housing,
for rent, owned or part owned, where care is available. As
residents' needs change, the level of care they receive can also
change without the resident having to move.
Homebuy
Homebuy enables people who cannot afford to buy a home outright
to purchase a share in a new home and rent the remainder (formerly
known as shared ownership).
Housing Benefit (HB)
A means tested welfare benefit administered by the local
authority providing eligible residents assistance in meeting the
cost of rent.
Helps residents to pay their rent. All tenants, Council, Housing
Association or private, are eligible to apply. How much help anyone
receives depends on their income and other circumstances.
Homes and Communities Agency
The new housing and regeneration agency for England. They
provide funding for affordable housing and improve quality of life
by raising standards for the physical and social environment.
Housing Ombudsman
The Ombudsman can investigate complaints and other matters
referred to them and make recommendations for action. They are
independent of the people and organisations they investigate. They
are impartial. Residents can refer matters to the Housing
Ombudsman, for example, complaints not satisfactorily addressed by
JRHT procedures.
Integrated Children's Centre (ICC)
A Government led initiative bringing together a range of
agencies who provide community facilities. These will typically
include a school, child care, family support and health services.
These centres may also have links to jobcentres.
Key line of enquiry (KLOE)
Key Line of Enquiry forms the basis on which the Audit
Commission makes inspection judgements. Key lines of enquiry detail
what will be covered in inspections and the standard expected of
excellent and fair housing services.
Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
Key Performance indicator - see performance indicator.
Major repairs
Improvements to housing stock that are substantial and usually
planned in advance.
Management Agreement
A legal agreement between the landlord and a partner who manages
a property on behalf of the Housing Association usually used for
supported housing projects. It sets out the responsibilities of the
Housing Association and the managing agent.
Mutual Exchange
A tenant's right, under certain conditions, to exchange his/her
tenancy with the tenant of the same landlord or another public
sector landlord.
Notice of Intention to Seek Possession (NOSP/NISP)
Is a notice served by a landlord on a rented resident telling
the resident that the landlord intends to apply to court for
possession.
Ombudsman
Once people have exhausted a complaints procedure they can go to
the Housing Ombudsman to arbitrate.
Partnering
This is a more flexible way of working with contractors to
provide services on our behalf.
Performance Indicators
Reports on performance for specific elements of the service.
Procurement
The process of buying land, building on it and delivering the
completed project in accordance with a predetermined design and to
an agreed cost. Procurement also relates to buying in other
services which another organisation will then deliver on our
behalf. Eg cleaning services
Programme Maintenance
Maintenance scheduled in advance for works such as gas
servicing, painting, replacement of heating systems, renewal of
fabric of the building and modernisations.
Racial Harassment
Violence which may be verbal or physical and which includes
attacks on property as well as on the person. The violence is
suffered by individuals or groups because of their colour, race
nationality or ethnic or national origins.
Registered Social Landlord (RSL)
Housing Association
Rent Convergence/ rent restructuring
Is the Government's aim of Council and Housing Association
tenants paying similar rents for properties of similar size and
condition, in a Council area. The aim is to achieve this within 10
years (2011/12).
Rent Debit
The term used to describe the amount of money - the total rent
which is payable by all the rented residents of the Housing
Association put together.
Reverse staircasing
The term used when a shared owner sells back shares in their
house to the Housing Association.
e.g when a shared owner who owns 75% sells back 25% to the
Association. The shared owner then receives a lump sum equivalent
to the 25% value of their house. The shared owner then owns just
50%.
Responsive Repairs
Day to day repairs to homes done in response to requests made by
residents.
Right to repair
A scheme under the Housing Act 1985 as amended by the Leasehold
Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 that gives rented
residents the right to claim compensation if certain small urgent
repairs (costing less than £250) are not carried out within
prescribed time limits.
Risk Management
A method of identifying, assessing and monitoring risks in a way
that enables an organisation to minimise losses and maximise
opportunities.
Residents Voice
Residents Voice meet 4 times a year and provide the opportunity for
residents from each of the residents groups, to meet and discuss
issues affecting services and local issues.
SAP
This is the energy efficiency rating of a home
SAVE Scheme
Sale of alternate vacancies. This scheme operates in New
Earswick. When a rented property becomes vacant we may consider
selling that property rather than renting it again to ensure a
balance of rented and owner occupied homes is maintained.
Section 106
A section 106 agreement is an agreement drawn up by the local
planning authority setting out conditions on new development which
must be met by the developer e.g. restrictions on allocations,
requirements for childrens' play areas
Section 9 consent
This is the consent required from the Homes and Communities
Agency if a Housing Association wishes to dispose of/sell off any
land it owns.
Service Charges
The money leaseholders pay for services such as caretakers,
common rooms and cleaning, lighting and maintenance of common parts
and gardening.
Shared Ownership
Shared ownership helps people who cannot afford the full cost of
buying a home outright. With shared ownership you buy a share of
your home and rent the rest.
Social Housing Grant
Grant from the Homes and Communities Agency to subsidise the
cost of developing affordable housing. It is given to Housing
Associations to develop schemes in their area
Staircasing
When purchasing a shared ownership property, the new owner may
purchase, for example, 50% of the property value. If the owner's
financial circumstances improve the owner may choose to purchase
more shares and this is known as staircasing. Therefore, the new
owner may staircase up from 50% ownership to 75% ownership, for
example.
Starter tenancies
The Housing Act of 1996 allows Housing Associations to offer
introductory tenancies to new rented residents. These last for a
year and then would become assured tenancies. They are optional.
Also known as probationary tenancies or introductory tenancies.
Stock Condition Survey
Stock condition surveys help to assess the need for planned
maintenance. Some landlords carry out sample surveys every few
years; others have a rolling programme of property inspections. An
energy efficiency appraisal of each building type can be usefully
included in the survey. Forecasts all works needed to all homes,
over the next 30 years.
Supported Housing
Housing which has additional support services with it for the
residents.
Target rents
These are the rent levels for Council and Housing Association
properties. They are set by using a Government formula based on
size, location and condition. They are also worked out on local
incomes and the value of homes.
Technical Arrears
These are arrears arising as a result of delays in receiving
housing benefit payments from local authorities. Some residents
choose to have their housing benefit paid direct to the Trust;
however, these payments are made by the Council 4 weeks in arrears,
thus showing as "technical arrears" as we know the money will come
through at the end of the 4 week cycle.
Tenant Services Agency
This is the organisation that oversees Housing Associations in
England to make sure they deliver good quality services to
residents.
Top Quartile
The Tenant Services Authority assesses the performance of all
Housing Associations nationally. Housing Associations are monitored
on the same indicators. They are then grouped according to how well
they perform. The top quartile performing Housing Associations are
those Housing Associations that fall in the top 25%.
Void Costs
These are the costs associated with an empty property and can
include the cost of repairs to that property or the rent loss from
that property whilst it is empty
Void
A term used to describe a bedspace or property which is not let.
For example a project with ten bedspaces, two of which are empty,
might be described as 'currently having 20% voids'.
Voids
Empty rented properties or bedspaces generating no income.
Void Loss
Rents lost as a result of non-occupation of a property
INITIALS AND ACRONYMS
Trustees:
AEB - Ann Bowtell
AJ - Ashok Jashapara
BM - Bharat Mehta
DO - Debby Ounsted (Chair)
RJM - Robert Maxwell
JNN - Nigel Naish
SVH - Susan Hartshorne
TS - Tony Stoller
MMcD- Mavis McDonald
DB - Don Brand
Directors:
JU - Julia Unwin
JH - John Hocking
AH -Anne Harrop
JPK- John Kennedy
NI - Nigel Ingram
JAD - Jacquie Dale
JL - Julia Lewis
PD - Paul Dack
JRHT Board Members
DB - Delroy Beverley
AB - Ann Bowtell
AJ - Ashok Jashapara
CV - Chris Vellenoweth
CW - Claire Warren
GW - George Wood
GM - Graham Millar
MMcD - Mavis McDonald
JNN - Nigel Naish
RB - Ros Batchelor
SVH - Susan Hartshorne
TB - Thoedore Bacon
A-Z - MISCELLANEOUS
ADSS - Association of Directors of Social Services
CAPI - Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing
CASPAR - City-centre Apartments for Single People at Affordable
Rents (PPD Programme) (Birmingham & Leeds)
CCRC - Continuing Care Retirement Communities (Hartrigg Oaks &
Hartfields)
CDB - Communications Departmental Board (now superseded by ECG but
acronym still sometimes used)
CLT - Community Land Trust
CREUE - Centre for Research and European Urban Environments
CSC - Care Services Committee
CTC - Communities that Care
CoYC - City of York Council
CURDS - Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies
DARC - Drug and Alcohol Research Committee (Single Programme
Research Committee)
DCMS - Department for Culture, Media and Sport
DiP - Dissemination Planning Group
ECG - External Communications Group
EFC - European Foundation Centre
ESH - Easing Shortages of Housing (PPD Programme)
FPC - Finance and Personnel Committee
G&PS - Governance and Public Services (Single Programme
Committee)
GAYE - Give As You Earn - staff committee
GIS - Geographical information Systems
HANC - Housing and Neighbourhood Committee
HCA - Homes and Communities Agency
HDC - Housing and Disabled Children (PPD Programme)
HMO - Houses in Multiple Occupation
HO - Hartrigg Oaks
HOMC - Hartrigg Oaks Management Committee
I&I - Immigration and Inclusion (Single Programme
Committee)
ILC - Independent Living Committee (Single Programme
Committee)
INSP - International Network on Strategic Planning
ITSG - Information Technology Support Group
JRCT - Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
JRF - Joseph Rowntree Foundation
JRHT - Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust
LLiC - Local Labour in Construction
LSPs - Local Strategic Partnerships
LTC - Paying for Long Term Care (PPD Programme)
MB - Management Board
MINCs - Mixed Income New Communities (PPD Programme)
MUDs - Multi-User Domains
NCR - New Commitment for Regeneration
NCVCCO - National Council of Voluntary Child Care
Organisations
NCVO - National Council for Voluntary Organisations
NDC - New Deal for Communities
NECA - New Earswick Community Association
NERF - New Earswick Residents Forum
NYA - National Youth Agency
PAD - Poverty and Disadvantage Committee
PAG - Project Advisory Group
PAIN - Public Affairs Internal Network
PDC - Policy Development and Communications
PIC - Partnership Initiative for Communities
PIFs - Property Investment Funds
PIPI - Public Interest in Poverty Issues (PPD Programme)
PPD - Policy and Practice Development
PPD - AG's Policy & Practice Development Advisory Groups
PPG - Programme Planning Group
PR&DC - Parenting Research & Development Committee (Single
Programme Committee)
PRS - Private Rented Sector
REITs - Real Estate Investment Trusts
RICS - Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
ROC - Research and Operations in Concert
RPG - Regional Planning Guidance
RSIMG - Resident Services Improvement Monitoring Group
RSL - Registered Social Landlord
SEU - Social Exclusion Unit
SEZ - Social Enterprise Zone
SEZ - Social Exclusion Zone
SPARK- Special Partnership for Action and Research
Co-operation
SPC - Single Programme Committee
SPRING - Strategic Policy, Research and Influencing Group
SSC - Sports and Social Committee
SIWP - Service Improvement Working Group
TAROE - Tenants and Residents Organisation for England
TPAS - Tenant Participation Advisory Service
TSA - Tenant Services Authority
WFTC - Working Families Tax Credit
WoW - Ways of Working Group