Housing content from the Audit Commission, an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services.http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/en-gbCopyright 2012, Audit Commission.webmaster@audit-commission.gov.ukhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/PublishingImages/Template/logo_print.gifhttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Pages/housinggoodpractice.aspxAll current positive practice found by housing inspectors since April 2006 has been collected into the spreadsheet available on this page.13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/Pages/default.aspxOur work in the housing sector over the years. Between 2000 and 2011 we undertook 1,400 housing inspections, and published more than 20 national studies on housing.09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Pages/almobestperformers.aspxAs well as identifying individual examples of positive practice and innovation, the Commission also highlights those organisations which deliver very strong all round performance in individual service areas. This is a list of best performers.31 Mar 2011 03:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/marketrenewalpathfinders/strategicreviews/Pages/Strategicreviewofprogress2010.aspx10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/marketrenewalpathfinders/Majorperiodicreports/Pages/hmrprogrammereview2010.aspxWe have published Housing market renewal (HMR) - Programme review 2010 and individual reports for 10 HMR Pathfinder projects for housing regeneration in the north and midlands, which between them attracted £3.2 billion of public and private funding. 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/nationalstudies/againstheodds/Pages/default_copy.aspxSince the release of the report on 7 July 2010, we have produced a series of maps detailing changes in the proportion and numbers of young people not in employment education and training (NEET) 2007 and 2009.07 Jul 2010 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/nationalstudies/Pages/20100521areviewofcollaborativeprocurementacrossthepublicsector_copy.aspxThe National Audit Office and the Audit Commission have jointly produced this review. It describes the landscape of collaborative procurement across the public sector, and makes recommendations to support a more coordinated approach to procurement. 21 May 2010 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Supportingpeople/Pages/effectiveatworkingwiththecreditunion-leedseastnortheasthomes.aspxENHL is highly effective at working with the credit union to ensure financial inclusion for local people including tenants on low incomes. ENEHL promotes these services to tenants and provides a financial contribution05 May 2010 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Residentinvolvement/Pages/mysteryshoppers-soha.aspxNew mystery shoppers are recruited to take part in each 'shop'. Once an area for mystery shopping is agreed, residents who are not actively involved in the formal involvement structure can volunteer to take part in the exercise. 05 May 2010 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Accessandcustomercare/Pages/furnishedtenancyscheme-nottinghillhousingtrust.aspxThere is a popular furnished tenancy scheme which is offered to all new tenants and chosen by about 43 per cent.05 May 2010 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Accessandcustomercare/Pages/creditunionpayments-dalevalleyhomesre-inspection.aspxD&VH has made a financial contribution to support the credit union to offer a paypoint facility. This addresses a lack of collection points for customers wishing to make payments into their credit union account.05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Accessandcustomercare/Pages/customercarekits-durham-wearvalley.aspxAll staff dealing with tenants carry customer care kits. These include the equalities statement, language translation cards, a magnifier and a special pen for customers suffering with arthritis.05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Residentinvolvement/Pages/outofhoursrentarrearsservicey-stadiumhousingassociation.aspxStadium HA has a number of 'Stadium4work' projects which are supporting residents into employment.05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Residentinvolvement/Pages/accessandcustomercare-SOHA.aspxSoha has effectively used its tenant profile information to target its audience of Home Talk, the tenant newsletter.05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Residentinvolvement/Pages/digitaltvservice-northlincolnshirehomes.aspxNorth Lincolnshire Homes, in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Police and NHS North Lincolnshire, has launched a digital TV service to help communicate with residents who may be excluded from using website services05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Stockinvestmentassetmanagement/Pages/increasingaccountabilityofcontractorstocustomers-irwellvalleyhousingassociation.aspxIrwell Valley Housing Association (IVHA) is running an initiative providing an unconditional service guarantee that compensates customers if the Association or its contractors fail to attend a repair which a customer has reported.05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Supportingpeople/Pages/pilotingamenuofsupportservicesforshelteredhousingtenants-suttonhousingpartnershipre-inspection.aspxAn innovative pilot scheme is offering a menu of support levels to sheltered housing tenants. Tenants can choose to receive different levels of care for different service charges. 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Diversity/Pages/promotingdiversity-greatplaceshousinggroup.aspxGreat Places holds a diversity week designed to raise awareness and ownership among staff across a range of areas relating to diversity. Staff suggest and develop sessions on particular areas, such as women into construction.05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Stockinvestmentassetmanagement/Pages/proactiveapproachtoaccessforgasservicing-incommunitieshousingassociation.aspxTo help the gas servicing contractor gain access to properties, Incommunities officers identify previously hard to access properties and properties where tenants are vulnerable. 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMThttp://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing/goodpractice/Stockinvestmentassetmanagement/Pages/repairstrainingforresidents-midlandheart.aspx05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT