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Welfare Benefit Reform Bill

Letter to MPs:

On Tuesday the Welfare Reform Bill returns to the Commons and you will have the opportunity to accept an amendment that will make a difference to the lives of thousands of families in social housing across the country.

As you know, on February 14th Lords voted once again to limit the impact of the bedroom tax. Peers backed a much more modest amendment to the one that came back to the Commons last time. Tabled by crossbencher Lord Best, it protects certain vulnerable groups including disabled people, war widows and those unable to work from the bedroom tax unless they turn down a suitable smaller flat.

The facts are stark. There are simply not enough smaller homes for every household hit by the bedroom tax. Community Housing Cymru believe that around 40,000 social tenants in Wales alone are 'under-occupying' properties and with a backlog of unmet need already estimated at 248,000 until 2026 - there are simply not enough smaller properties for people to move into.
 
The lack of mobility in the sector is not a product of wanton under-occupation, but a log-jam created by a national shortage of affordable homes.

Please accept Lord Best’s amendment on Tuesday. For some of the most vulnerable families in your constituency, your support could mean the difference between making ends meet and living in poverty.

New Resident Liaison Advisors are facilitating Tai Ceredigion’s improvements project

Resident Liaison Advisors are providing a key role within a local housing association as homes are being brought up to Welsh Quality Housing Standard. Keen to employ local people, six new posts have been created by Tai Ceredigion to assist in facilitating the upgrading of tenants homes. Both Sian Davies and Hayley D'Alessio recently joined an experienced team of four who consult with tenants on the much needed upgrading work needed to properties to bring up them to the Welsh Quality Housing Standard.

Llyr Edwards, Director of Property Services at Tai Ceredigion said “We would like to welcome our new Resident Liaison Advisors to the team and wish them the best. Every Tai Ceredigion home will be brought up to the WQHS within the next three years. This is a very large project and our friendly Resident Liaison Advisors will be the main point of contact for our tenants concerning the works to be undertaken to their homes.”

Sian Davies said “Since joining Tai Ceredigion before Christmas I have assisted many tenants with the choices we offer, and re-arranged for contractors to undertake work at a more convenient time when tenants have had hospital appointments and other commitments. It is a fulfilling role and I am looking forward to the next few years and getting things done.”

Katy Williams, a Resident Liaison Advisor in North Ceredigion since last year said “It is an extremely interesting role which I am enjoying. You meet lots of different people every day and I can put all my organisational skills to work liaising with contractors and making sure that tenants are happy with the work. It is great to see the difference being made to people’s homes and therefore very satisfying.”

Tai Ceredigion is looking for keen and eager tenants to join their Board and have their say

This year there will be an opportunity for a tenant to stand for election to the Tai Ceredigion Board and to have their say on decisions and future plans the housing association makes. Any tenant of Tai Ceredigion can stand for the position which is voluntary with out-of-pocket expenses paid. Fellow tenants will then elect their chosen member this spring and the tenant will join the Board in the summer.

The Tai Ceredigion Board is made up of 15 unpaid volunteers who include 5 tenants, 5 Council nominees and 5 independent members who all bring different expertise and experience to the table. The position holds some responsibility and therefore it is advisable for candidates to have some training before the election which will be provided.

Jim Scanlan, Chair of the Tenants Monitoring Group said “It is key that Tai Ceredigion tenants have a voice about what the housing association does day to day and what the plans are in the future. Therefore it is crucial that tenants apply for this position. We, the Tenants Monitoring Group will provide any training that a candidate requires, so don't be afraid to apply. Remember your feedback and participation is vital to help ensure that Tai Ceredigion provides the best service possible! If you are interested, please contact Sue Thomas, your Tenant Participation Advisor now.”

Closing date for applications:    Friday 30th March 2012