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Dear [NAME],
Policy
“What’s the Benefit?” update
In a recent report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies the coalition government’s budget was deemed “regressive”. It is anticipated that budget cuts will be felt most profoundly by families in the bottom income bracket who stand to lose 5% of their income in comparison with the highest income bracket which stands to lose 1%. Although the treasury has condemned the report as “selective” a number of key campaigners have voiced their objections to the budget. Inside Housing is running a “What’s the Benefit?” campaign in an attempt to establish a fairer way of addressing the Housing Benefit Bill. Find out more here
NI Assembly
The Assembly has been in recess since June and will reconvene in early September. Much of the Social Development Committee’s forward work programme is focused on the Housing (Amendment) Bill and the Committee will be receiving briefings on this legislation from, amongst others, Housing Rights Service, Simon Community, NIACRO, CHNI, CIH and NI Human Rights Commission.
On 10th September the Social Development Committee is also scheduled to receive a departmental briefing summarizing responses to the Private Rented Sector strategy.
A research paper into attempts to curb anti-social behaviour in student areas through housing legislation was requested by the Committee for Employment and Learning and can be viewed here
Housing Rights Service has been invited to provide written evidence to the Committee for Work & Pensions on the impact of changes to Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance in the budget.
Training
Mental Health and Housing
A one day course offered in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry focusing on overcoming the issues that people with mental health problems face in accessing and maintaining accommodation. To find out more, click here.
Housing Advice Training Programme
Our training team has been busy over the summer revamping this perennially popular course, which provides participants with a comprehensive grounding in the most common areas of housing advice. To find out more, click here
From now on details of our training courses will be sent out on a separate bulletin. To subscribe to this bulletin simply visit our homepage and fill in your details.
Support Habitat for Humanity NI at our Night at the Races
A team of staff from Housing Rights Service will be heading out to Beius in Romania with Habitat for Humanity in October to muck in with the Big Build 2010. To bid them adieu and assist in raising funds for this worthwhile project Housing Rights Service is organizing a Night at the Races in Madison’s Hotel, Belfast on Friday 10th September 2010. Tickets cost £3 or you can pay at the door. For more information contact the Habitat builders…
It should be a great night out!
Don't forget...
In August, Housing Rights Service launched a new blog which focuses on our experiences as part of the Preventing Possession Initiative. We'd love you to read our posts and leave a comment. If there are any topics you think we should be covering on the blog, let us know.
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