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Completion of Raploch Homes
We are delighted that the opening of our 50 newest homes, in Raploch, was marked by the unveiling of a plaque by Alex Neil, Housing Minister, on Monday 10th May.
The new homes have been built to the EcoHomes 'very good' standard, incorporating high insulation levels, efficient heating systems and utilising sustainable construction techniques and materials. Residents will therefore experience reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
Gordon Mason, Chair of Forth Housing Association, said: "We are delighted to be providing homes of the highest standard for our tenants.
Our partnership with the Raploch URC, the Scottish Government, Stirling Council and the Raploch Community has certainly brought real benefits".
The 50 new homes for rent have been allocated in line with a lettings plan agreed with Stirling Council and this prioritised three groups of people. These groups are existing Raploch residents whose homes are earmarked for demolition to facilitate further regeneration, those in general housing need and those who find themselves homeless.
A film focusing on the partnership approach which is transforming Raploch was also screened. Click here to view.
Forth Obtains National Standards for Information and Advice Providers
We are pleased to announce that we are the first housing provider in this area to be accredited by the Scottish Government for the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers.
Staff undertook on-line training on 15 housing information and advice topics. This was facilitated by Shelter. An audit was also undertaken on behalf of the Scottish Government in February 2010: policies and procedures were reviewed and staff were interviewed. The audit assessed the quality of advice given by staff.
Judi Reid, Information & Advice Standards Unit, Scottish Government said: “ by obtaining the accreditation Forth have demonstrated that they are providing quality advice and information which is an integral part of their service.”
Promoting Equality of Housing Services – Happy to Translate
We recently held a joint multi-cultural event with Ochil View Housing Association, at Raploch Community Campus, raising awareness of our Happy to Translate (HTT) pioneering language service.
Guests from Black and Minority Ethnic groups, Stirling & Clackmannan Councils, Central Scotland Police and the Central Scotland Racial Equality Council, heard speakers explain Happy to Translate: a service which ultimately overcomes language barriers, and enables good customer service to be provided to all, whatever their nationality.
Staff have been trained to use the Happy to Translate toolkit and intranet. This enables staff to determine the language spoken by the customer and the services required. Point pages can be downloaded from the intranet, and these enable customers and staff are able to have a conversation and most importantly, understand each other.
Rohini Sharma Joshi, Housing Equal Opportunities Manager, HTT, said: “It has been great to work with Forth and Ochil View on this multi-cultural partnership event. Forth and Ochil View are building links and trust with communities, through initiatives like HTT, and are demonstrating they are organisations which value diversity.”
Annual Gas Safety Checks
We have a legal duty to ensure that gas appliances and flues which we provide for tenants' use are maintained in a safe condition at all times.Therefore, we are required to complete a Landlord Annual Service Inspection within each 12 month period. Our Contractor, Stirling Council Housing Services (SCHS) will carry out a programme of service inspections. Please click here for your service inspection date.
Joint Tenant Satisfaction Survey (July-September 2010)
From the end of July to September 2010, BMG Research will be conducting a survey on our behalf to find out how satisfied you are with our services. We will use this information to see what changes we need to make to our services in the future.Over 200 of our tenants will be surveyed. These tenants will be selected at random. All researchers will be wearing identification badges. For more information regarding the survey contact Angela Laley at our offices or call BMG Research Helpline on 0800 358 0337. If you do complete a survey, you will have the chance to win £50 in shopping vouchers.
Invite To Stirling Tenants Assembly Conference – Sat 2nd October 2010
Stirling Tenants Assembly is holding a tenants conference on Saturday 2nd October in the Mayfield Centre, St Ninians, Stirling from 10am till 3pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Speakers from the Scottish Government will discuss :
• Scottish Social Housing Charter – a chance to influence a new policy known as the Tenants Charter.
• the 'Fresh Thinking' discussion paper - the Government discussion paper on the way forward for housing in Scotland.
To reserve your place please contact our office for a booking form.
New Partnership to Deliver Housing in Forth Valley
A new innovative housing partnership between 3 locally-based housing associations in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire Council areas is launched today.
Strath For Housing Alliance (‘Strath For’ is Gaelic for Forth Valley) is made up of Forth Housing Association, Ochil View Housing Association and Rural Stirling Housing Association. The three housing associations already have a substantial track record of providing quality housing and services; by combining their skills, experience and resources they hope to deliver an increased number of houses and enhanced value for money for the communities they serve. The arrangement does not affect the independence of the three associations.
The Alliance is responding to the Scottish Government’s desire for greater efficiency in the current difficult funding environment, particularly in the way in which new housing is provided and funded. The Alliance has received the support of Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils and will work closely with the councils to help them deliver their strategic housing objectives.
Strath For Housing Alliance has set out its plans in a Statement of Intent which has been agreed by the Committees of all three associations. It includes:
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Exploring the benefits of a collaborative approach to development including:
- a joint procurement strategy
- framework agreements for contractors and consultants
- shared design guides
- Identifying the potential for joint policy development and review across the range of our activities
- Considering the potential to jointly procure reactive maintenance services
- Agreeing priorities for mutual support in the event of emergencies
- Seeking to work with other partners who share our vision and commitment to local service delivery
Further information is available here.
Points of View Card Winner
Congratulations!!! to Margaret Lowe for returning her Points of View Card and winning a £25 shopping voucher during April-June 2010!!!
HomeSwapper News
If you are a Forth tenant you may be able to find someone to exchange houses with using HomeSwapper. We have recently joined HomeSwapper which is a mutual exchange matching web site. Our tenants can now register with HomeSwapper free of charge and get information about tenants in the Stirling area who want to exchange houses, as well as details of people wanting to move here from outside the area.
For more information about HomeSwapper visit their website at www.homeswapper.co.uk or refer to the Thinking of Moving/HomeSwapper section of our website.
Gas Safety Register
If you are looking to have someone to fix or install a gas appliance, then make sure that the contractor is on the new Gas Safe Register. The new register replaced the CORGI standard on 1st April 2009, meaning only Gas Safe engineers can legally install gas appliances, boilers, hobs, ovens or fires in your home. Please click here for more information.
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