Great Homes Thriving Communities

Great Homes
Thriving Communities
nifha.org
Annual Report 2013-14
REGISTERED OFFICE
MEMBERS In 2013-2014
6C Citylink Business Park
Albert Street
Belfast BT12 4HB
Abbeyfield and Wesley Housing Association
Alpha Housing
Apex Housing Association
Ark Housing Association
Clanmil Housing Association
Connswater Homes
Covenanter Residential Association
Craigowen Housing Association
Filor Housing Association
Flax Housing Association
Fold Housing Association1
Glenall Housing Co-operative*
Gosford Housing Association1
Grove Housing Association
Habinteg (Ulster) Housing Association
Habitat for Humanity NI*
Harmony Homes
Hearth Housing Association
Helm Housing
Newington Housing Association
Northern Ireland Co-ownership Housing Association
Oaklee Homes Group2
Open Door Housing Association
Rural Housing Association
South Ulster Housing Association
St Matthew’s Housing Association
The Abbeyfield Belfast Society*
Triangle Housing Association
Trinity Housing2
Ulidia Housing Association
Ulster Provident Housing Association*
T: 028 9023 0446
E: [email protected]
W: www.nifha.org
Find us on Facebook
Twitter @NIFHA
Company Reg. NI 11996
BOARD MEMBERS
Alan Shannon
John McLean Fold Housing Association (Vice-Chair)
Peter Caldwell Apex Housing Association
Liz Cuddy (resigned June 2014) Helm Housing
David Duly Habinteg (Ulster) Housing Association
Hazel Francey
Tony Kennedy Ulidia Housing Association
Sarah Lennox
Dr John McPeake
1
Gosford Housing Association merged with Fold Housing
Association on 30 June 2013.
2
Oaklee Trinity was formed on 25 March 2014 following
the merger of Oaklee Homes Group and Trinity Housing.
* These are members that provide housing but are not
registered housing associations with DSD.
2
CHAIR’S InTRODuCTIOn
Alan Shannon
Throughout my first year in post, I have seen at close
quarters the contribution nIFHA is making in supporting
our members and the lives of the thousands of people who
rely on them.
In increasingly difficult operating conditions, housing
associations continue to provide high-quality housing and
care & support whilst meeting stretching government targets
for new homes.
During a period of profound change and uncertainty, NIFHA
is providing an effective voice for housing associations and all
their tenants and is securing impressive wins that will benefit
the movement for many years.
Members rightly expect NIFHA to be an effective lobbying
and influencing voice for housing associations and to provide
strong sector leadership.
While the full effects of welfare reforms are yet to be felt,
hard-won concessions on the so-called ‘Bedroom Tax’ and the
funding of rates support provide important security for
tenants and members. These achievements are significant and
set us apart from the rest of the UK.
We are advocating for members through meetings with
Ministers, MLAs and other partners. We are making strong
contributions in key groups including the Minister’s Housing
Supply Forum, the All-Party Assembly Group on Construction
and the DSD Procurement Board. High-quality consultation
responses have been submitted, increasing our credibility and
influence with government departments.
The sector’s case has been made strongly in the national and
regional media and perceptions and understanding of the
movement are demonstrably improving.
However, we are not complacent. There remain considerable
challenges ahead and we are committed to energetically
supporting and representing members in the year ahead.
Our effectiveness has been further enhanced through internal
changes including the overhaul of our committee structures.
In my first year as Chair, I’ve been pleased and impressed by
the calibre and professionalism of our new board which, for
the first time, includes people from outside the sector.
Effective leadership at senior level is critical in any field and
strengthening sector governance is one of our key priorities.
As well as providing a full programme of training and events,
we have continued to support housing associations in
recruiting high-quality board members.
NIFHA has achieved much in 2013-14 and I strongly believe
the sector is well placed to grow and flourish, confidently
meeting the challenges ahead. We look forward to continued
partnership with you in working to create the best possible
operating environment for housing associations.
I would like to thank the NIFHA staff and the board for their
work on behalf of housing associations. Officers and board
members of our members have also contributed significantly
to our successes in 2013-14, and we thank you for your
ongoing investment in us. As ever, we are stronger together.
3
CHIEF EXECuTIVE LOOKS AHEAD
Cameron Watt
nIFHA is focused on creating the best possible operating
environment for housing associations to build great homes
and thriving communities.
Over the past year, housing associations have ably risen to the
changes and challenges confronting them.
In delivering high-quality services to tenants, meeting the
most ambitious development targets in the UK (in relative
terms) and providing exemplary care and support, housing
associations are meeting and exceeding customers’
expectations. The high regard of investors is enabling record
levels of competitively priced private finance to be raised to
fund this work. With continued high performance, our
growing sector can be confident of its place in the future
housing landscape.
The pace of change is quickening and associations are seizing
the resulting opportunities. New and innovative partnerships
are emerging, organisational structures are being reformed
and governance further strengthened. As independent
organisations, we can implement change quickly and
effectively.
procurement. We are contributing fully to the Social Housing
Reform Programme, for example in the design of a tenant
participation strategy. Advocating for risk-based and
independent regulation will remain a priority, along with
continued flexibility in rent-setting to support our ambitious
development programme.
Public spending constraints now present the NI Executive with
some very tough choices. In the midst of fierce competition
for scarce resources, we will vigorously make the case for
investment in housing, care and support. And through
NIHACT and our broader work, NIFHA will provide greater
assistance to members in delivering an expanding range of
community services.
Whilst the uncertainties facing our sector are considerable,
housing associations have huge opportunities to further
innovate in meeting housing need and helping build more
resilient communities. We can and must deliver for the tens of
thousands of families depending on our movement. I am
confident we will.
Continued growth and flourishing depends on a supportive
operating environment. Through strong relationships with
DSD, NIHE and other key partners, we will pursue necessary
reforms, such as a more flexible, sector-led approach to
Florence Cathart, an OakleeTrinity tenant, pictured at Parklands, a supported living scheme in Lisburn
4
5
LOBByInG AnD InFLuEnCInG
Making the case for housing associations
We have been effectively campaigning for:
•
A ‘game-changer’ on land for new homes
•
Retention of Supporting People as a ring-fenced,
properly funded programme for housing related support
•
A fairer deal for tenants and landlords under
welfare reforms
•
Decisive moves towards more independent,
risk-based regulation
•
An increased role for housing associations through
social housing reforms
A lot has happened in housing in northern Ireland
over the last year. As the pace of change has quickened,
we’ve stepped up our efforts to create a policy and
funding environment that allows housing associations’
work to thrive.
Through a clear, strategic programme of lobbying and
influencing, NIFHA has been able to respond effectively to
developments, amplify the voice of our members and shape
government thinking on the critical issues that affect our
sector.
We have prioritised building and maintaining good
relationships with politicians, civil servants and other partners.
Particular emphasis has been placed on establishing close
engagement with Ministers and members of the Social
Development, Health and Environment Committees.
Over the course of the year, we have produced detailed
consultation responses and policy papers – available on
www.nifha.org – and, when necessary, secured media
coverage in support of lobby asks. This work has provided
strong advocacy that has benefited the sector.
It has helped persuade Ministers to commit to concessions
that will protect existing tenants who would have been
6
affected by the Bedroom Tax. A commitment has also been
won that, unlike in GB, rates support will continue to be fully
funded in NI, prior to the introduction of Universal Credit.
In recent months, DSD has delivered much useful scoping
work as Stage 1 of the Social Housing Reform Programme
(SHRP) has been completed. NIFHA agrees with the overarching vision for ‘Housing structures that support the
provision of social and affordable homes, in thriving
communities, where people are proud to live.’ However
we will continue to lobby for more proportionate,
independent regulation and make the case against the
introduction of rent-setting.
Housing associations are major providers of high-quality social
and affordable housing with unique expertise in raising private
finance for this, matching and multiplying public investment.
Our movement has demonstrated that it is willing and able to
take on a bigger role in the future and should be given a fair
opportunity to do so.
Associations are working to start construction on 2,000
new homes this year, a 64% increase compared to 2013.
In development, our members are punching well above
their weight with what is, in relative terms, the largest
affordable new homes programme in the UK. This year we
have pushed hard for a ‘game-changer’ on land supply to
support this delivery.
Politicians rightly want to see a step-change in the delivery of
new social homes. We do too, but there needs to be
concerted effort across government to unblock barriers to
development.
This includes introducing a more supportive planning system
and flexible procurement regime. We have lobbied hard on
these on 2013-14 and expect of efforts to be rewarded in the
coming year.
The sector’s commitment to care and support is as strong as
ever. However, providing high-quality care and support is
increasingly challenging and we are pressing for political
leaders to stand with us and protect our ability to provide
important services.
Of particular concern is the future of the Supporting People
(SP) programme. Not only has its budget now been frozen for
seven years, a real terms cut of at least 20%, its future as a
ring-fenced housing programme remains in doubt and will be
influenced through an ongoing policy review.
From GB, we know that when ring-fenced programmes for
housing support are removed, the funding is inevitably lost to
shore-up acute services. NIFHA is helping lead a broad
coalition lobbying for SP to be properly funded as ring-fenced
housing budget and for a proper joining-up of housing,
health, care and support.
If government engages with us in developing housing-led
solutions, housing associations can hugely contribute to
helping people live more healthily in their homes for longer.
While many challenges remain, NIFHA is taking a leading role
in delivering key wins that cumulatively have significant
benefits for the local sector. We have also fostered stronger
ties through the Four Federations – our sister bodies in
Scotland, England and Wales – and CECODHAS, the
European Federation of Public, Cooperative & Social Housing,
to give our movement a stronger voice in wider UK & EU
lobbying.
NIFHA has provided strong representation
on key groups including the Housing Supply
Forum, the All-Party Assembly Group on
Construction, and the Procurement Board
64%
The increase in the number of
new home starts targeted for 2014-15
1,275
2,000
19,000
Vulnerable people living independently
with the help of the Supporting
People programme
7
BuILDInG THE SECTOR’S REPuTATIOn
Further enhancing housing associations’ profile
Our sector’s reputation may be our most valuable asset
and it is important that we all invest time to protect
and build it.
This is vital if we are to be valued and properly funded by
government in future. As well as improving relationships and
credibility with politicians, senior civil servants and other key
partners, NIFHA is helping the sector to raise its profile and
get recognition for its contribution.
We have worked hard to build a network of media contacts
and earn a place as a leading commentator on housing and
related subjects. This has delivered extensive and meaningful
coverage on issues that matter most to our sector including
welfare reform, the need for a ‘game-changer’ on land supply
and the imperative to properly fund the Supporting People
programme. Projects such as our production with PwC of
annual global accounts have also generated high-profile
coverage of our sector’s considerable economic contribution.
Securing influential interview slots and column inches has
helped make our sector more engaging and better
understood, but we are not content just to react to external
events and announcements. Opinion editorials and planned
media campaigns have offered leadership on important issues
and demonstrated the movement’s commitment to deliver
high-quality homes, care and support. Our prominent
advocacy through the media for a strengthened planning
system to better support housing delivery is just one area in
which our views are having influence.
Evolving technology continues to change the way people and
organisations interact. NIFHA is capitalising on the rise of
‘always-on’ social media and its power to shape public
debates. Last year, followers of our Twitter account swelled by
60% delivering our message to a 1,200 strong audience
comprising politicians, editors, academics, businesses, housing
professionals and many others.
8
Content sharing platforms, such as YouTube, have enabled us
to amplify our message and broadcast our own series of
engaging videos that reflect the commitment, enthusiasm and
impact of the movement. We were pleased this year that more
housing associations joined us on social media to promote
their work.
Twitter feedback
2,200
Traffic to www.nifha.org rose to more than 66,000 visitors last
year and more than a fifth of all visitors were referred by our
social media platforms.
Views of NIFHA films
Face-to-face engagement remains important to our work,
especially when communicating the social impact of our
sector. Representations at party conferences have enabled us
to strengthen relationships with elected representatives,
provide more detailed briefings on housing motions and
promote the achievements and potential of the movement to
a wide range of audiences.
1,200
The perception of housing associations is positively changing
as the movement responds strongly to public and government
concerns. The opportunity is there for us all to build
understanding for our work and the positive relationships with
partners on which success depends.
nifha.org
youTube films
Twitter followers – a 64% increase
66,000
Visitors to nifha.org in 2013-2014
9
Fiona McAnespie, Fold Housing Association, and
Cameron Watt give evidence to Assembly Health
Committee on Transforming Your Care
Cameron Watt gives an interview
to UTV on the draft Strategic
Planning Policy Statement
Cameron Watt comments on
Clanmil’s record funding deal
and sector success in raising
private finance
Cameron Watt, NIFHA Chief Executive, gives an interview to UTV’s Live Tonight Programme
10
11
SuPPORTInG MEMBERS
Delivering an increasing range of high-quality services
NIFHA exists to serve and support our members.
Events and training
Providing members with access to high-quality events and
training is a priority for NIFHA.
Over the last year strategic level events such as our Making
the Case annual conference and Effective Strategic Leadership
conference have been supplemented by a wide range of
practical training sessions on topics as varied as Housing
Benefit verification, tenancy fraud, tackling anti-social
behaviour and new accounting standards.
During the year, and excluding annual conference, more than
550 people took part in 22 events and provided hugely
positive feedback. In tough times, we’ve focused on making
sure our members can access training that helps to strengthen
practice in key areas of their business and we were pleased to
be able to offer almost half of these events free of charge.
Annual Conference
The sell-out Making the Case 2013 Annual Conference, held
at the City Hotel in Derry/Londonderry, brought together
leading figures in housing, government, academia and
industry to share insight and strategic thinking.
Making the Case Annual Conference
4.62
Our highest ever conference
rating (scored out of 5)
200
Delegates packed the City Hotel’ in
‘Derry/Londonderry’ over two days
21
Exhibitors from across the UK and Ireland
attended the conference
PwC
Over two days a packed room with 200 delegates heard from
the Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland MLA;
Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan MLA; and Stephen
Smyth, Managing Partner at PwC, which was also the main
sponsor for the event.
Gavin Megaw, Director at Hanover Communications,
explained the importance of protecting and building
organisational reputation while Carol McTaggart, Director of
Property Services and Asset Management at Clanmil,
provided a practitioner's perspective on development and
regeneration and unblocking the key barriers to delivery.
Broader services
NIFHA has continued to provide and improve a number of
critical services that meet members’ needs from data and
analysis services for Housing Benefit and Supporting People
payment data, to administering NICORE analysis and coordinating tenant satisfaction and benchmarking exercises.
Feedback on Making the Case was extremely positive with
65% of delegates grading it as ‘Excellent’ and 31% scoring it
as ‘Good’. The overall rating was 4.62 out of a possible 5.00,
making this the highest-rating NIFHA has received since such
surveys were introduced in 2001.
NIFHA warmly thanks members, sponsors, exhibitors as well
as speakers and other contributors that helped ensure Making
the Case was a highly successful event.
Extensive coverage for coinciding publication
of sector global accounts by PwC
1
4.62
5
4.62
Our highest ever conference
rating (scored out of 5)
What was said
Excellent conference @nifha today. Social networks
very important to getting the NI housing message
across. #nifha13 – @ruralhousingni
Outlining the sector’s strong performance, Chief Executive
Cameron Watt discussed the issues on the movement and
called for effective regulation and adequate funding to enable
the continued provision of high-quality services.
These events facilitate networking, raise the profile of
associations’ work and create a suitable environment for the
frank exchange of views on key housing issues. They are also
helping to establish and promote excellence in all our
operations and service delivery.
Strengthening sector governance is one of our key priorities.
As well as strengthening our training and events offer for
board members, our voluntary board member register has
been used to good effect and we’ve increased our efforts to
attract high-quality board members to the sector.
12
Communication with members has been enhanced with fuller
and more timely information shared through our website and
fortnightly email bulletins, as well as regular Chief Executive’s
reports. We are also liaising more closely with individual
members, including attending board and senior management
meetings, speaking at board strategy days and staff
conferences.
Importance of independent regulation recognised
by housing association sector why not by DSD?
#nifha 13 – @jenny_muir
Really enjoyed this years @NIFHA conference.
Really good inspiring speakers and enjoyed the
introduction of the short films #NIFHA13 – @homergreen
£116M
Payments data processed
Data Services
£116M Payments data processed
477K
Transactions data processed
477,000
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13
Delegates view film of new Apex Housing community centre
Many seminars are hosted in NIFHA offices
Making the Case delegates discuss the topics of the day
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan MLA addresses the Making the Case Conference
14
Gary Orr, Yarlington Housing Group,
share experiences with delegates
Social Development Minster Nelson McCausland MLA
enjoys a lighter moment at the Making the Case Conference
15
FInAnCIAL STATEMEnTS
FInAnCIAL STATEMEnTS
Income and Expenditure for the year Ended 31 March 2014
Turnover
Administrative expenses
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2014
2014
£
2013
£
514,591
(518,832)
453,202
(442,350)
2014
£
2013
£
447,222
453,428
Debtors
32,118
15,822
Investments - short term deposits
51,143
77,039
8,446
8,378
91,707
101,239
(43,359)
(47,285)
48,348
53,954
495,570
507,382
(114,929)
(123,675)
380,641
383,707
(237,000)
(494,000)
143,641
(110,293)
8,000
6,000
Profit and loss account
135,641
(116,293)
Shareholders' funds
143,641
(110,293)
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Current assets
Operating (loss)/profit
Other interest receivable and similar income
(4,241)
982
10,852
1,899
Interest payable and similar charges
(6,807)
(8,969)
Other finance income/(costs)
27,000
(6,000)
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation
16,934
(2,218)
-
-
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation
16,934
(2,218)
Transfer (to) designated reserve for future major repairs
(2,000)
(2,000)
Profit/(loss) for the year
14,934
(4,218)
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Tax on profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Retirement benefit obligations
Capital and reserves
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
Major repairs reserve
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the
small companies' regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the financial reporting standard for smaller
entities (effective 2008).
Note: The full accounts are available on request.
Audited by Toner McDowell Chartered Accountants
16
17
NIHACT Annual Report
NIAHCT Committee
Members
nIHACT REVIEW OF THE yEAR
Review of the year
Tom O’Neil (Chairman)
Northern Ireland
Charitable Charitable
Trust (NIHACT)
northern
IrelandAssociations’
Housing Associations’
Trust (nIHACT) supports a variety
supports
a variety ofbut
under-resourced
but sustainable
Ray Cashell of under-resourced
sustainable organisations
that improve the quality
of life in
organisations
that
improve
the quality
of life in
communities in
communities in
which
housing
associations
operate.
Lorna Dougherty
which housing associations operate.
Alan McCay
nIHACT AuDITED ACCOunTS FOR 2013-14
Northern Ireland Ho u sing A s s o c i at ion s
C h a r i ta bl e Tr u s t
Trust Committee
Tom McCurley
The
The Trust
Trust Committee
Committee meets four times per year to consider applications. Whilst the grant sums allocated are relatively small,
Joe McKnight
their
impact
on the recipient
organisations
considerable.
The Trust
Committee
meets four
times per is
year
to considerThe Trust aims to distribute up to £30,000 per year and the
maximum
grant
is normally
£5,000.
John McLean
applications.
Whilst
the grant
sums allocated are relatively
small, their impact on the recipient organisations is
John Patterson
considerable.
Trust
Income The Trust aims to distribute put to £30,000 per
Derek Rankin
year housing
and the association
maximum grant
is normally
£5,000.
The
movement
provides
the majority of NIHACT’s income. The Trust is extremely grateful to donating
associations, especially those that contribute on a regular basis.
While
not reflected on the balance sheet, the charity fully recognises it is indebted to the volunteer committee members who freely
Trust Income
contribute their time, expertise and enthusiasm. We greatly appreciate both their efforts and the financial contributions of all those
The housing association movement provides the majority of
who make their important work possible.
NIHACT’s income. The Trust is extremely grateful to donating
associations, especially those that contribute on a regular
basis.
Committee
Members
WhileO’Neil
not reflected
on the balance sheet, the charity fully
Tom
(Chairman)
recognises
it
is
indebted
Ray Cashell (Secretary) to the volunteer committee members
who freely contribute their time, expertise and enthusiasm.
Lorna Dougherty
We greatly appreciate both their efforts and the financial
Alan
McCay of all those who make their important work
contributions
possible.
Tom McCurley
Joe McKnight
John McLean
John Patterson
Northern Ireland Ho u sing A s s o c i at ion s
C h a r i ta bl e Tr u s t
Sources of Income
Conference Dinner - charity donations
Donations received (4 housing associations)
785
5,600
Bank Interest
499
Total Income
6,884
Grants Issued
Lurgan Foyer
2,750
Shelter NI
3,000
Council for the Homeless NI
2,960
Macular Society
2,000
Catalyst Ireland
5,025
Horn of Africa People's Aid NI
7,500
Lakeland Special Olympics Club
5,200
Apex Housing
1,200
Ardoyne Association
6,000
Homeplus NI
3,000
Kids in Control
3,500
Belfast Experts by Experience (BEBE)
2,100
PBC Foundation
2,750
46,985
Derek Rankin
Bank Interest and charges
Administration costs
Total
Young people involved with Horn of Africa People’s Aid NI (HAPANI)
take part in a training session in Derry/Londonderry.
18
£
79
3,114
50,178
(Deficit) for year
(43,294)
Accumulated fund at 31 March 2014
106,043
19
6C Citylink Business Park
Albert Street
Belfast BT12 4HB
Company Reg. NI 11996
Hospital
Community Centre
HOSPITAL
School
028 9023 0446
Contact us
[email protected]
Find us on Facebook
nifha.org
@NIFHA