Monday 16 December 2013

Intensifying our fight against poverty


As 2013 comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what the CHC Group and the sector have achieved in 2013. This is the time of year where those of us brought up as part of the Band Aid generation tend to think of those less fortunate. With increased austerity, and the impact of welfare reform and the introduction of the 'bedroom tax', concern for the less fortunate has been at the very forefront of our minds throughout the year.

We held a successful Annual Conference in November, with some clear messages from the Minister on the need to increase supply. So at the end of November I was delighted to attend the Housing Europe network in Denmark and to showcase the Welsh Housing Finance Grant as an example of EU Housing good practice, building 1,000 affordable homes without traditional capital subsidy or traditional bank lending. A real achievement in 2013.

At our Annual Conference, I was also deeply impressed by Sian Williams from Toynbee Hall and her messages about fighting poverty and financial inclusion. Financial education isn’t enough - there has to be access to affordable finance too.

The week after going to Denmark, I took a trip with the Four Feds to Northern Ireland and a tour of Derry and the Bogside to see some impressive housing projects, but also communities exploited by loan sharks. What hit home were the barriers local people encountered in accessing affordable credit, despite the maturity of the credit union movement in Ireland. This is why I’m so proud that members and CHC have worked so well together this year in extending Moneyline services to Merthyr, Swansea and Wrexham and helping so many people through the Your Benefits Are Changing campaign.

When we re-emerge in 2014, I want us to redouble our efforts in fighting poverty and extending social justice. As Sian from Toynbee Hall told us, 'We shouldn’t be worried about welfare reform – we should always have been angry about poverty' … our members are at the leading edge.

You can find out more about the CHC Group's activities over the last year in our Annual Review for 2013


Nick Bennett
Group Chief Executive

Wednesday 11 December 2013

What impact will the Lobbying Bill have on charities across the UK?


There is often hyperbole around the impact of policy and legislation at any stage of its deliberation and, working in public policy, it is important to look beyond the headlines – the devil really is in the detail. When I saw claims that the Lobbying Bill currently going through Parliament could have ‘a chilling effect on campaigning in the voluntary sector’, I wondered whether the impact of the legislation was really going to be as shocking as some of the headlines. The further I delved into the legislation and the policy, the more I was shocked.

When the Lobbying Bill was originally released, the limited plans to register professional lobbyists caused a bit of a stir, but this proved to be somewhat diverting the attention from the real issues with the legislation. Part 2 of the Bill seeks to change the law on what non-party organisations, and charities such as CHC, can do in the run up to a general election (UK and Welsh!). Such was the outrage at the measures – which propose huge regulatory obstacles for groups wishing to campaign - the Countryside Alliance and the League Against Cruel Sports came together to campaign on the issue.

We were lucky to receive support from a number of parties in Wales in our opposition to the Bill, but it took an enormous amount from the Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement to get support at Westminster, and eventually a six week pause in the bill for consultation. I was delighted to see in the Commission’s second report today that they are recommending an exemption for all charities from the legislation, but this is far from the end of the journey. We must now work with the 100 or so other charities supporting the Commission’s work to ensure that our voices are heard in opposition to the legislation, and ensure that the Commission’s recommendations are applied.

Lobbying is a key function of CHC, and the housing sector has been successful in recent years in making the case to politicians about the importance of the work we do. Regardless of who is seeking election, or who may be in government, we must be allowed to continue in this role to affect positive change across society.

Whether it’s Russell Brand or Nigel Farage telling us, we constantly hear that people are disillusioned with politics, and it beggars belief that any politician could support a bill that will prevent ordinary people coming together to campaign on the issues that matter to them.

For more details on the bill, see the Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement website.

You can also show your support for 38 Degrees’ petition against the bill here.



Aaron Hill
Policy Officer, CHC

Friday 6 December 2013

Older People's Commissioner for Wales: Listening to HA residents across Wales



For the last two months, I have been travelling across Wales meeting and speaking with people who are tenants of housing associations. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to find out about the work of the Older People’s Commissioner and let me know what matters most to them.

The role of the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, is to stand up and speak out for older people across Wales. That is why it is so important that we meet with people and talk with them about what matters most to them.

Older people across Wales have told us that they want their lives to have value, meaning and purpose. The people I have met as part of this series of visits have echoed this.

Public transport, especially buses, has come up time and time again. There is huge concern about the cuts to routes, but also the location of bus stops and the need for benches and bus shelters. Public transport helps people to get out and about and maintain their independence, allowing them to stay in touch with friends and do things they enjoy, as well as getting to doctors and hospitals. People have told me that they are really struggling to get to health appointments and visit loved ones in hospital.

Tenants have also told me how much they value the people who work on site for housing associations, particularly those who support activities and social events. Tenants had also clearly built strong friendships with their neighbours, which has resulted in strong communities. The link to having a good quality of life is clear – people who are not isolated are less likely to be lonely and suffer from depression. Many people were worried that this support may be cut and told me that staff were a lifeline; “I don’t know where I’d be without them” has been a common refrain. It is a testament to the hard work of housing association staff that their services are so valued. It has been inspiring to meet people who show that individuals really can make a difference.

I am looking forward to meeting many more housing association residents and staff over the next few months.

If you would like someone from the Older People's Commissioner for Wales to visit your scheme to let tenants know about our work and listen to their views, please contact Kate Hughes, Engagement Coordinator on kate.hughes@olderpeoplewales.com or 08442 640670.


Kate Hughes
Engagement Coordinator