News
Press releases 2008
November 2008
26 November 2008
Enfield Homes promotes respect at Turkish faith event
Officers from Enfield Homes represented the organisation at a unique event on Monday, which was aimed at promoting local services to the Turkish and Kurdish Community.
Officers, which included those from the Anti Social Behaviour Response Team, outlined the services they provided, including anti social behaviour and how to report it. Also they gave advice on hate crime, which is a crime committed due to a person’s colour, race, ethnic origin, disability or sexuality. There were a number of services available to help people who have been a victim of hate crime, and there were also officers available on the day that people could talk to, either from Enfield Homes, the police or from Enfield Council’s Community Safety Unit.
There was also be a chance to get involved with the Respect Standard Resident Steering Group, which gives residents an opportunity to shape and influence the way Enfield Homes responds to anti social behaviour. Any resident who would like to get involved was very welcome to sign up on the day.
Mike Culligan, Director of Housing Operations said “I was delighted to see us join with police colleagues and other organisations in the new Mosque, which is currently under construction, to meet with the Turkish and Kurdish Community on Monday.
“Enfield Homes is keen to be as inclusive as possible and involve everyone in the community in everything that we do. It is also incredibly important that people know about the facilities we offer to tackle anti social behaviour, and the services available to stamp out hate crime.
“It was a really great event.”
21 November 2008
Enfield Homes is awarded ISO accreditation
On the 12th November 2008 inspectors from quality assessors ISO gave their verdict on Enfield Homes’s Anti-Social Behaviour procedures, and concluded they were “absolutely delighted” with the work.
The inspectors also said that the team had “systems in place which demonstrate a clear audit trail in managing the caseload”.
One assessor also commented that this was way in excess of what they have been reviewing elsewhere, and said that what Enfield Homes had produced was "absolutely fantastic".
Jan Powell, Principal Housing Manager said “We are absolutely delighted with our accreditation, and we look forward to receiving our certificates very shortly.
“This is the result of good teamwork. Special thanks should go to Carmel Naessens for the hard work that she has put into this, and the extra support that we have had from Colin Pullen and Felicity Parker who helped us through the process.
“This is an excellent result for the Anti-Social Behaviour Team.”
14 November 2008
Enfield Homes helps over 50's with fuel poverty at event
Thursday saw Enfield Homes joining forces with Enfield Council, Age Concern, Enfield PCT, the Pensions Service and others at an event to help people over 50 keep warm and well over the winter.
The Enfield Energy Efficiency Community Event was held at Edmonton Leisure Centre. There were FREE gifts on offer and lots of information on how to reduce bills.
People had an opportunity to bring along a recent gas or electricity bill, and speak to an expert who could advise if there was a way that they could reduce their expenditure but still keep their home warm.
Brendan Wells, Director of Property and Technical Services at Enfield Homes, a speaker at the event said, “It is absolutely crucial that we ensure our housing stock is energy efficient.
“Good housing is easier for tenants to heat adequately, especially if they are on a low income. This means that they have a healthier home, reducing the risk of problems such as condensation or mould.
“At a wider level we at Enfield Homes need to deliver an Affordable Warmth Strategy. This looks at a number of things such as building stock and its energy efficiency, delivering energy training for staff in the field, and giving advice to tenants and leaseholders on how to cut bills.
“We are also targeting properties which have the lowest energy ratings or where people are at risk of the cold. By doing all of these things we can make a real difference to the lives of our tenants and leaseholders.
“It was really interesting to talk to people on the day, and find out how important it was for them to be able to heat their homes without spending a lot of money. Many older people who visited the event were on fixed incomes, and it drove home the importance of energy efficient homes.”
14 November 2008
It's Fireworks as Jessie reaches 106
Enfield’s oldest sheltered housing resident, Jessie Budd, turned 106 on Wednesday 5th November, and to celebrate this amazing age staff and residents at Norton Close sheltered housing gave her a special big party.
A cake was baked and decorated, but there was not enough room for 106 candles!
The Mayor of Enfield Cllr Lee Chamberlain, and Mike Culligan, Director of Housing Operations for Enfield Homes, Jessie’s landlord, were both in attendance to help her celebrate.
Jessie said she has always enjoyed life to the full “I was very hard working” she remembers, “I was a cook in the West End and that kept me very busy, and I met some real characters!”
Born in Grays in Thurrock in 1902, Jessie moved to Enfield when she was seven. She worked in a French restaurant hotel in Old Compton Street in London’s West End where she learned to cook and she cultivated a liking for fine food.
She still prepares some of her own meals and enjoys singing.
Mike Culligan, Director of Housing Operations for Enfield Homes said “Jessie is a real character, to reach 106 is truly amazing!
“Every year the residents of Norton Close all look forward to Jessie’s party, it’s a very important social occasion.
“It was wonderful to see her here on her birthday celebrating with her family and friends.”
13 November 2008
Council house too big? Downsize with Enfield Homes
Enfield Homes is relaunching its popular ‘Under-occupation Scheme’ next week, to encourage council tenants who are living in a home which might be too big for their needs, to downsize.
Enfield Homes makes it easy to move to a smaller property, they even offer money for downsizing:
- £500 for downsizing by 1 bedroom
- £1,500 for downsizing by 2 bedrooms
- £2,500 for downsizing by 3 bedrooms
Enfield Homes will also pay for removal costs, disconnection and reconnection of utilities, and they will also help with other aspects of moving to another council property in the Enfield Homes area.
Thekla Frangeskou, Rehousing Manager for Enfield Homes said “We often get tenants ringing us saying that the home they have lived in for a long time is now too big for them to manage but they do not know how to go about moving to smaller accommodation.
“It might be that some of their family have moved out, leaving spare room, or that as they grow older they find that dealing with a bigger house and garden has become too much.
“We desperately need larger houses for families, so we make it really easy for anyone who wants to downsize to come to us. We will pay all your removal costs and will help you find a nice new place to live. Any problems you have moving, we will try and help you with, it couldn’t be easier.”
If you want to find out more telephone 0800 40 80 160 and ask for the Rehousing Team.