Wed, 02 May 2023
Our latest news in bitesize pieces
Hounslow Homes' Volunteers
We currently have three local residents volunteering in various departments. It is organised through the PEP Trust programme who provide training and Prentis who take these volunteers onto their books after they complete their 12 month work experience. At the end of this time they will receive a qualification with the Chartered Institute of Housing.
We got involved to give work experience to people who have been out of the job market a chance to get back in and gain valuable experience in what is hopefully a rewarding industry. Did you know that National Volunteers week falls on June 1st - 7th?
Changes to social housing bidding and verification
The council are making changes to the way social housing will be provided. This may effect on you.
The London Borough of Hounslow has a high demand for housing and not enough houses to meet that demand, which means they have to change the way they allocate homes. Changes to the new service started on 1 April 2012.
London Borough of Hounslow wants to reduce the number of people who don’t show up to a viewing or who are not suitable for the property, so please consider carefully what you are bidding for before you bid.
Hounslow Homes achieves Investors In People GOLD!
Following a recent three yearly assessment review, Hounslow Homes has achieved Investors In People (IIP) Gold status, the highest possible level. The assessment looked at the 'people' side of our business, including the critical area of employee engagement. IIP found that Hounslow Homes excelled in all areas. Reviews such as this help us to continue improving our services.
A Reminer about changes to Housing Benefit services
From Monday 2 April 2012, there were changes to the services provided by Housing Benefit at the Langdale Centre, Summerwood Road, Isleworth and Brentford Housing Office, High Street, Brentford as follows:
Langdale Centre:
Mondays from 9am to 4.30pm (last ticket issued at 4.15pm)
Fridays from 9am to 4.30pm (last ticket issued at 4pm)
Housing Benefit closes both days for lunch from 1pm to 2pm.
Brentford Housing Office:
Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4.30pm (last ticket issued at 4.15pm)
Fridays from 9am to 4.30pm (last ticket issued at 4pm)
Housing Benefit closes both days for lunch from 1pm to 2pm
Diamond Jubilee
Let us know how you celebrated the Diamond Jubilee! Email your pictures to communications.team@hounslowhomes.org.uk and we will feature them in a future issue of Hounslow Homes News! The Diamond Jubilee weekend falls on June 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and celebrates 60 years of the Queens reign.
Rents and Service Charges
The rent and service charge increases were approved at the Council meeting on 31 January 2012. Tenants should have now received letters informing them of the new rents and service charges applicable from 2 April 2012.
If you have any concerns or questions about your rent, contact the Customer Service Centre on 0800 085 6575
Welfare benefits and money advice service
The Welfare Benefits and Money Advice service is a free confidential service we provide based at St. Catherine’s House. If you are facing complicated benefit problems, such as an appeal or need debt and benefit advice then we are available to help and advise you. Debt and benefit advice sessions are also available. To access this service ring 0800 085 6575 and asked to be referred to this service.
Get furniture for free!
Freecycle is an online service which offers free items locally. You can pick up anything from books to second hand clothing and electrical goods! Visit www.freecycle.org for more information.
Benson Close ASB event
Tenant Participation and Anti Social Behaviour and Tenancy staff teamed up with the Metropolitan Police Community Safer Neighbourhood Team on an Anti Social Behaviour Awareness event (ASB) on the Benson Estate on Saturday March 3rd.
The aim was to increase and improve awareness around ASB, reporting on the Benson Estate and local area and contribute to greater community engagement. The event also helped us consult with our residents about ASB on the estate and was a great opportunity for tenants to meet their neighbours and speak to agencies for advice and guidance.
Supporting our teams and ASB work were (HFTRA, The Neighbourhood Wardens, The London Fire Brigade, Doctor Bike and The Dogs Trust). We had a successful turnout with over 80 residents in attendance and a great community family day with entertainment and face painting for the children.
A new playground for Ivybridge
The Residents Association of Ivybridge, through the hard work of Ron Robinson our Chair and with help from Hounslow Homes Estate Management team secured almost £50,000 of funding for a new 'Play Garden' through Community Spaces, part of the Big Lottery. Hopefully it will encourage our kids to get out and play, interact with each other and have some adventures! This project really shows how a Tenant and Resident Association can make a huge difference to where they live. Huge thanks to Ron whose vision and determination turned the idea into reality. Chris Boucher Tenant, Ivybridge Estate.
Memory Enhancing Techniques
Do you want to improve your memory, is stress stopping you remembering or recalling things, do you have those ‘forgetful moments’? If the answer to any of these is yes, then you should attend this workshop! You will learn simple techniques and routines to enhance your memory and retain information and take part in individual and group exercises to help you test and improve your memory.
This one day workshop will include:
- Presentations
- Interactive exercises
- Group exercises
- Individual performance exercises
- Information pack and notes
- Copies of slide presentation
The workshop is suitable for people of all ages and takes place on Saturday June 9 2012 from 10am – 4pm at the Alf Chandler Centre, Benson Close, Hounslow TW3 3QX
For more information contact our Tenant Participation Team on 020 8583 4602
InfoBytes
Bid on Locata using DigiTV
If you have access to Sky, Virgin, Nintendo Wii or have a mobile phone with internet access, you can bid on Locata (Pin and passwords required) if you are registered for a transfer. If you’re on Facebook, you can access our app and bid when you go in to update your status! It’s quick, easy and FREE! For more information visit our website www.hounslowhomes.org.uk and click on the DigiTV link on the homepage.
10 good reasons…
to visit our website or switch on to DigiTV
1. Bid on Locata
2. Pay your rent and service charges online
3. Access a free ‘Money Advice Healthcheck’
4. Request publications, forms or make a complaint
5. View documents and reports from our meetings and committees
6. Report a repair and book an appointment*
7. Give us your feedback/complete a survey
8. Access Job Centre Plus, NHS information and other local services
9. Get information on free training
10. Get the latest news and information on events
You can access services and information quicker when you do it online!