Posted on Oct 3, 2002

On-line Survey

The AGM provided a launch for an on-line survey of Jewish housing needs, which can be found on IDS’ new website www.ids.co.uk. IDS is confident that the survey will demonstrate a substantial unmet demand for housing from the Jewish community. The survey will enable IDS to gauge more accurately the level of housing need among the Jewish population in London and communicate that need to its local authority partners. It will also inform the IDS development programme enhancing its specialist expertise in the provision of housing for the Jewish community.

Chief Executive Paul Westbrook says “The housing needs of Jewish people often goes unnoticed as there is no monitoring of this significant ethnic minority in local surveys. Until 2001, no census had recorded ethnicity and, for historical reasons, many Jews are hesitant about being identified.”

The housing needs of Jewish people unable to afford private sector housing include a preference for living within a supportive community where a number of neighbours are from the same ethnic group, access to local synagogues, Jewish shops and community groups, and, for those practising a more orthodox faith, particular adaptations to the home to suit religious practices.

Housing Corporation News

Belinda Porich, Investment Manager at the Housing Corporation told the meeting that, earlier in the day, it had been announced that The Housing Corporation had lost the role of inspecting housing associations which will go to the Audit Commission.

In the same speech, she told the meeting, which was attended by some 50 board members, tenants and partner organisations, that John Prescott, the minister responsible for housing in the UK, was placing much greater emphasis on speed of construction and value for money in housing development. This would be achieved, amongst other measures, by encouraging more off-site and modular construction, to overcome the problems presented by winter weather and a shortage of skilled building trades.

She speculated that investment in housing would be increased but the government would work through fewer, larger housing associations that would work in partnership with the smaller ones.

IDS Reports on the Previous Year

Other news reported at the AGM was as follows:

****** IDS announced a surplus at the AGM of £192,000 for 2002, compared to a deficit of £111,000 in 2002, the increase arising from new tenancies and increases in rent. During the year, the association spent over £2.3m in acquiring and developing housing and almost £1.7m on property maintenance.

****** IDS is currently building 11 flats for elderly Jewish people, adjacent to Ilford Synagogue and, in partnership with Camden Abbeyfield Society, has completed ‘very sheltered’ housing for 12 elderly Jewish residents in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

****** IDS also created a new community hall, computer training suite and estate offices at Stoke Newington.

****** IDS had its Investor in People status reconfirmed.