Ink: First Memoirs: The Talk of the Town: The New Yorker

“I chose not to meet with her,” a publisher at another company said. “I got the impression that everyone was totally underwhelmed by her. That’s why there’s so little buzz.”Another publishing executive said that some of the editors who met Mrs. Bush were hoping to find “that she’s a closet Democrat, like in the Curtis Sittenfeld novel.” (Sittenfeld’s novel “American Wife,” which was purported to be inspired by Mrs. Bush’s life, portrayed the First Lady as passionately pro-choice and periodically agonizing over her husband’s hawkishness.) When the publisher who went to the White House was asked what impression of Mrs. Bush’s politics he came away with, he sighed and said, “You got the sense she’s just like him.”Even Curtis Sittenfeld, who spent months researching Mrs. Bush’s life story, is conflicted about the hypothetical memoir. “Do you remember after Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston separated, it was more interesting to wonder what Aniston thought than to find out what she thinks?” Sittenfeld said over the phone last week. “Sometimes when people share their thoughts it’s sort of disappointing.”

Ink: First Memoirs: The Talk of the Town: The New Yorker

2008 fARO iSLAND 30-12-2008 13-40-51

2008 fARO iSLAND 30-12-2008 13-40-51
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

2008 London 19-12-2008 11-22-45

2008 London 19-12-2008 11-22-45
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

Crisis Christmas

Memorial Mosaic to the Homeless

Memorial Mosaic to the Homeless
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

London Councils launches framework for future government housing reforms

08 August 2008
London Councils launches framework for future government housing reforms
UK - London Councils has set out eight simple policy tests to ensure that any future government housing reforms will benefit all the capital's communities.

The tests are outlined in the document 'Rethinking Housing', launched to influence the government's housing reform green paper, which is expected later this year.

The document spells out the challenges facing London's housing market. London remains the least affordable region in the UK with 1.6 million households on social housing waiting lists.

But it also points the way forward to begin developing solutions to these challenges.


As well as the eight policy tests, Rethinking Housing sets out six key reforms that the next government housing green paper should address, including:

More freedom and flexibilities for local authorities
More effective cross agency working
More targeted help for those who are workless and homeless
Better use of the private rented sector
Better support for owner occupation
More opportunities to house homeless households."

Confederation of Co-operative Housing

Confederation of Co-operative Housing
Fairgate House,
205 Kings Road,
Tyseley,
Birmingham B11 2AA

Telephone: 0121 449 9588

<info@cch.coop>

National Tenant Voice consultation paper

[07-07-2008] The CCH has been working with TAROE (Tenants & Residents
Organisations of England), NFTMO (National Federation of Tenant
Management Organisations), CLG (Communities & Local Government) and
others to develop proposals for a National Tenant Voice. A
consultation paper has been produced which organisations and
individuals are invited to respond - even if they just wish to say
that they agree to the proposals. The closing date for the
consultation is 12 September.

Word icon National Tenant Voice consultation paper (MS Word document, 94 Kb)
[Updated 19-07-2008]

Confederation of Co-operative Housing

Confederation of Co-operative Housing
Fairgate House,
205 Kings Road,
Tyseley,
Birmingham B11 2AA

Telephone: 0121 449 9588

<info@cch.coop>

National Tenant Voice consultation paper

[07-07-2008] The CCH has been working with TAROE (Tenants & Residents
Organisations of England), NFTMO (National Federation of Tenant
Management Organisations), CLG (Communities & Local Government) and
others to develop proposals for a National Tenant Voice. A
consultation paper has been produced which organisations and
individuals are invited to respond - even if they just wish to say
that they agree to the proposals. The closing date for the
consultation is 12 September.

Word icon National Tenant Voice consultation paper (MS Word document, 94 Kb)
[Updated 19-07-2008]

2008 March 27th (5)

2008 March 27th (5)
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

2008 March 27th

2008 March 27th
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

How do I get housing?

How do I get housing?



A Guide to Financial Capability for Social Housing Tenants

This guide is a resource for front line staff, social landlords and practitioners to use in financial capability work with social housing tenants.



Download the guide (PDF, 1.5 MB, opens new window)



The guide can be used for people who are new to the delivery of financial capability work or as a source of ideas, resources and prompts to those with more experience.



The guide may be used in several settings, including:

* life-skills courses for vulnerable tenants
* literacy and numeracy classes
* as a resource for your front-line staff.

Chapter 6 has been designed to support staff to act as advocates or champions for financial inclusion and capability within their organisation.

into the sun

 

2008 Market Estate 12-03-2008 08-47-28

2008 Market Estate 12-03-2008 08-47-28
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

inquietudine

2008 Market Estate 12-03-2008 08-45-48
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

Pink Floyd star's plan to aid homeless hits brick wall | Society | The Observer

Pink Floyd star's plan to aid homeless hits brick wall
David Gilmour sold his £3.6m London mansion to fund houses for the city's destitute. Five years on, opposition has turned his dream to dust * Jo Revill, Whitehall editor * The Observer, * Sunday March 2 2008 * Article history · * Contact usContact usClose * Contact the Society editor editor@societyguardian.co.uk * Report errors or inaccuracies: reader@observer.co.uk * Letters for publication should be sent to: letters@guardian.co.uk * If you need help using the site: userhelp@guardian.co.uk * Call the main Guardian and Observer switchboard: +44 (0)20 7278 2332 * o Advertising guide o License/buy our contentAbout this articleCloseThis article appeared in the Observer on Sunday March 02 2008 on p3 of the News section. It was last updated at 10:44 on March 02 2008.Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd performing on stageDave Gilmour of Pink Floyd performing on stage. Photograph: Yui Mok/PAWhen Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour sold his London mansion for £3.6m, he was putting into practice his 'house for a house' philosophy: the belief that the wealthy should sell one of their palaces to provide hundreds of homes for those who are less well-off.The rock star's move was inspired by a project in New York, where an Art Deco hotel had been turned into a block of 400 flats, half for low-paid key workers, the other half for homeless people. Those who were in work encouraged others to find a job, and supported them through their difficulties.Five years on, and the idea of bringing the New York dream to London has crumbled into dust. Successive attempts to find a suitable site and then push it through the labyrynthine planning system have failed. The energy and excitement behind the original idea has been replaced with a bitter scepticism about the way planning rules and nimbyism ('not in my back yard') have ended up blocking the idea.The homeless charity Crisis, which had spearheaded the Urban Village plan and was the beneficiary of the rock star's millions, has admitted defeat and is now looking at much smaller schemes.Gilmour says: 'Obviously this setback is a disappointment, but I am determined to make a success of the Urban Village project here in London and to continue to work with Crisis to bring real change to the lives of homeless people.'The charity's chief executive, Leslie Morphy, says the need is greater than ever. 'We have 40,000 people in London living in squats, B&Bs or on the streets. I think it does say something about us as a society if we cannot get a project as exciting as this off the ground. It is dispiriting and we need to learn a lot from this.'For Gilmour the sadness is that New York is now opening its fourth such scheme. Eight other properties are currently being developed, and the scheme has received dozens of accolades.At the time he sold his home to Lord Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, Gilmour explained his reasons eloquently. 'The effect of homelessness is damaging and debilitating to individuals. The crises and traumas in some people's lives are severe. I believe they need support and understanding, and this project gives people back their lives.'They are helped to find jobs and feel that they have some standing within the community at large and it costs the taxpayer less than any of the schemes in existence so far,' he said, pointing out that the scheme typifies charity by example. 'We know lots of people with lots of money. They have one house here, one house there. I'm, like, how many houses do you need?'The hope then was that the scheme of self-contained flats for 400 residents would be up and running within four years, and that Gilmour's money would go towards the £50m total needed to build such a block.The first possible scheme was in Camden, north London, but a tortuous two-year negotiation to buy the site didn't bear fruit. Then another site was found, also in Camden, and the government regeneration agency English Partnerships became involved, but this also fell through.In 2004 the former Mildmay mission hospital in Shoreditch, east London, became available. It seemed perfect, as it was built on a former NHS site, located in an area of huge housing need and there was strong church support. There would be 270 flats, and buildings would include facilities for counsellors and health workers to help the homeless.The planning officers at Tower Hamlets recommended the scheme, but in September 2006 the local councillors turned it down, following pressure from local residents. Documents show that residents were worried about the size of the scheme, but also had concerns about security since many residents would have mental health problems. Four months ago, faced with soaring legal bills, Crisis was forced to withdraw its plans to appeal against the decision. Morphy said: 'It is dispiriting that it fell through. If you think a group of people are going to be living near you who are vulnerable, people will feel worried about that.'But one difference between London and New York is the Americans' 'can-do' approach, along with the fact that big business is supportive and receives large tax credits for funding such schemes, ensuring that these get built. Last month the Common Ground charity raised $1.2m at a single fundraising dinner in Wall Street.One early supporter in London was Rabbi Julia Neuberger, a Liberal Democrat peer and mental health expert who in 2003 was head of the King's Fund think-tank. 'We were so excited by the scheme. The New York housing showed that the people who are in work can show their neighbour the benefit of having a job, and having a steady life,' she said. 'If we can't get a scheme like this running in London, with all of its wealth and all the great need for housing, that's pretty poor. There is a lot of nimbyism around, but we have to find a way of making this work. We can't give up on it.'

Pink Floyd star's plan to aid homeless hits brick wall | Society | The Observer

2008 Spitalfields 01-03-2008 15-22-18

2008 Spitalfields 01-03-2008 15-22-18
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

New guide to help social housing tenants manage their finances

Department for Work and Pensions' Financial Inclusion Minister James Plaskitt Toynbee Hall,  Financial Services Authority

Social Housing
New guide to help social housing tenants manage their finances

The National Housing Federation is aiming to create a network of 'financial inclusion champions' in the social housing sector, with the launch of a new guide to help housing workers to address the needs of tenants who have difficulty managing their finances...A Guide to Financial Capability was launched at the Federation's annual financial inclusion conference in London on 20 February, by the Department for Work and Pensions' Financial Inclusion Minister James Plaskitt.

This free guide has been developed by the Federation and Toynbee Hall, with support from the Financial Services Authority as part of its National Strategy for Financial Capability. It is designed for use by frontline staff in housing associations, local authority housing departments and arms-length management organisations.It highlights the excellent work already being done by many social landlords to empower tenants to be confident in managing their money and in choosing the right financial products. This ranges from advice on accessing benefits to the provision of low interest loans and basic banking services.The guide calls on every social housing provider to have its own financial inclusion champion, so that the best practice becomes widespread throughout the sector.At the launch, Mr Plaskitt will say: "Many people on low incomes don't know where to get free money advice or affordable credit and can get into serious financial problems. They can often feel there is no option but to use high cost doorstep lenders or even worse, loan sharks, to make ends meet, ending up deeper in debt. "I believe that housing associations have a valuable role to play in getting the message across that there is help available as they come into daily contact with the people we are trying to reach.

 "The National Housing Federation are working closely with our 'now let's talk money' campaign and their continued support will make a real difference to people's lives." Federation chief executive David Orr will add: "We have seen some real innovation on financial inclusion in the housing sector. Throughout the country, housing providers are offering financial services and impartial advice to their tenants. And through partnership working and investment, they are also providing much-needed support to community financial institutions such as credit unions - helping tenants to access low interest loans. "Often, these services have come about because one member of staff is passionate about helping tenants to manage their finances. I want to see this approach shared by the entire social housing sector." The guide is available to download here.

New guide to help social housing tenants manage their finances

Comfort in the kindness of strangers - Scotsman.com News

Comfort in the kindness of strangers - Scotsman.com News: "The enjoyable exception is homeless junk food addict Jules, who, with her mini-dresses, holey tights and metallic shoes, turns out to be oddly vulnerable behind that shield of bravado. That she should end up living with proud, independent, elderly Eleanor is unpredictable too, providing a good contrast between Eleanor's tendency towards a quiet and frugal life and Jules' propensity for argument, late
nights and calorific food."

Emily Thornberry MP for Islington South and Finsbury: News: Minister marvels at Market makeover

Emily Thornberry MP for Islington South and Finsbury: News: Minister marvels at Market makeover: "Minister marvels at Market makeover
25 January 2008, 4:50pm
Minister Caroline Flint MP (left) and local MP Emily Thornberry (right) with new and old Market Estate in the background Minister Caroline Flint MP (left) and local MP Emily Thornberry (right) with new and old Market Estate in the background

The new Housing Minister Caroline Flint MP, joined local MP Emily Thornberry and Holloway’s three Labour councillors earlier this week to the see the £40m transformation under way on the Market Estate in N7.

Under the Government's pledge to bring all social housing in Britain up to the Decent Homes Standard, Southern Housing Association was asked in 2003 - with the support of 88% of residents - to take over and rebuild the much-troubled estate.

In an ambitious scheme, the estate is being rebuilt in phases - allowing all current residents to move into new buildings as they are completed without the need for temporary decanting.

Visiting the estate just before her promotion to Housing Minister, Caroline Flint met representatives from Southern Housing Association to discuss the regeneration, and then visited local residents who have recently moved into their new homes.


Caroline said:

'Decent housing is fundamental to people having decent life chances, so I was"

Union accuses Shelter bosses of bullying

Union accuses Shelter bosses of bullying

Gareth Jones

Relations between the trade union Unite and management at homelessness charity Shelter soured further this week as the union’s national secretary accused some Shelter bosses of using intimidatory tactics in negotiations over staff pay and contracts, and prepared to hold a ballot for strike action.

Shelter’s chief executive Adam Sampson said he “totally refuted” any allegation of intimidation or bullying by managers and said the charity had kept staff fully informed of the challenges it was facing and how it was attempting to deal with them.

Doug Nicholls, Unite’s national secretary, claimed the union had been left with no alternative but industrial action, and confirmed a strike ballot among Shelter’s 450 union members would begin before the end of the month and conclude in mid-February.

The dispute arose over proposed changes to the staff pay and grading structure, with employees expected to sign new contracts foregoing pay increments and extending the working week to 37.5 hours.

“Our members are very angry that they’ve been forced into considering strike action,” said Nicholls, “and we still hope that management will see sense. We are particularly angry at the bullying and intimidation being used by some Shelter management to seek to force staff to sign new, inferior contracts.”

He praised Shelter staff’s commitment to their cause, but added they couldn’t live on “dedication alone”.

“We recognise that Shelter, like many other voluntary organisations providing vital services across the UK, is facing a continuing funding crisis. But this is partly the result of the government’s competitive tendering system which is forcing down the price of services provided by Shelter’s housing aid centres, for instance.”

Shelter has argued that the changes are necessary for it to be able to compete for grants, particularly from the Legal Services Commission (LSC), from which it currently receives more than £3m a year, but Nicholls said employees should not be the ones to suffer as a consequence.

“Shelter’s argument is with the government and the LSC which is driving down services by cutting funding with little regard to the effect on quality of service. We will happily join with Shelter’s management in lobbying to reverse that injustice.”

However, Shelter chief executive Adam Sampson, said the charity “totally refutes” any allegation of bullying and intimidation. “We have been negotiating with the trade unions, staff and managers for the last nine months, and through emails, management briefings, and questions and answers we are trying to give all our staff all the information we can, while pointing out the reality and hard facts of the situation.”

He said the charity had always tried to keep staff fully up to speed with the changes that are taking place.

“These are very difficult times for the charity, and of course emotions are running high. But the key objective is to move forward in a way that will minimise the impact both on our hardworking staff and the thousands of vulnerable people we work with every day,” said Sampson.

22 January 2008

Dr Jimmy Mallon, Warden of Toynbee Hall, Blue Plaque

2008 London 07-01-2008 09-44-37
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark

2008 Toynbee Hall

2008 dk (60)
Originally uploaded by caledonianpark