twyncarmel newsletter june 2014

Twyncarmel News June 2014

Exciting new developments on TwyncarmelPlans are currently being drawn up for ten new properties on the Twyncarmel estate.

“We have residents on the estate who need to downsize as a result of the “bedroom tax” or spare room subsidy changes brought in last year. However, we don’t have any one bedroom properties available on Twyncarmel for them” said Bridget Garrod, Housing Manager for Merthyr Tydfil.

“Wales & West have been allocated a share of Welsh Housing Finance Grant to help fund the development of 8 one bedroom flats and 2 one bedroom bungalows

on part of the field area to help us meet that need. This will not stop you or your children being able to use the remainder of the field area as you do now.”

An information sharing event to show you the plans is being held on Tuesday 15th July at The Fact Shop. Drop in anytime between 2.30pm and 6.30pm to view our plans and share your views.

What a place to live!“It’s a quiet

neighbourhood”“Good transport

to the town centre”

“Goodneighbours”

These are some of the comments you made when we asked you recently in a survey how you felt about living on Twyncarmel.

You scored us: 7/10 7/10 6/10 for how much for how safe for the condition of the you like living here you feel open spaces

New residents to the estate score us over 9 out of 10 for their experience of moving in to a Wales & West Housing home. Here’s what some new residents have said:

“Everyone has been brilliant”

“I couldn’t have wished for more. Everything and everyone has been fantastic. I absolutely love the house and it already

feels like home”“Housing officer was brilliant - really lovely”

“Much better than the council”

“Children love it right by the park”

Twyncarmel Newsletter | June 2014

| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitter: @wwha

On average people stay in their homes for over 10 years before looking to move. This shows how satisfied people are with us as their landlord.

Where we have other properties in Merthyr / Where we are developing:

Merthyr ValeMount View Quakers Yard - coming soon

Merthyr TownVulcan CourtBrewery CourtBrewery Mews

Abercanaid (ready for summer 2015)

Housing Choice

Wales & West Housing are part of a common housing allocation policy called ‘Housing Choice’ which is administered by Merthyr Council. All social landlords in Merthyr are part of this. This means that we allocate all our empty properties to applicants who are registered with Housing Choice. Once registered Housing Choice allows you to bid for properties in the areas you’d like to live.

Social landlords like us don’t select applicants. We offer properties to applicants who have bid for properties, meet the criteria and are suitable to be housed. This makes sure we are fair and open to all applicants. If you want more information on how this works please speak to us.

Transferring to another homeYou can move to another WWH property. You will need to register with Housing Choice, though speaking to us in the first instance will allow us to discuss your housing options with you in more detail and give you the right information.

Mutual exchangesYou are able to swap homes with other WWH residents or residents from other housing associations or local authorities. You’ll need our permission to do this, as certain things may stop you. You can put your details on www.homeswapper.co.uk or check out houseswapwales on Facebook.

We understand that your housing needs change over time. If you are looking to move then speak to us about what your options are. We will help you work out the best solution.

Greenstream is working with Wales & West Housing to provide residents with low cost reclaimed carpet tiles. They are able to offer three grades of tile at different costs:

Grade A: £4.80 per square metreGrade B: £3.60 per square metreGrade C: £2.40 per square metre

The above costs are based on supply only. Fitting of the tiles by Greenstream would incur an additional cost.

Wales & West have on display a selection of colours and qualities at No. 47 Twyncarmel which you can view. If you are interested, contact Sharon, Tenancy Support Officer on 07826 526511 between 9am - 5pm Monday to Wednesday.



You told us:that litter was an issue on the estate

In response we arranged litter picks over the February half term and Easter holidays. Alison Chaplin our Community Development Project Officer for the area leafleted the whole estate before each litter pick to gather support on the day.

Some of the rubbish collected in February by staff and partner organisations

Some of the staff, PCSO team and volunteers who helped with April’s clean-up

“Alison and I have arranged another litter pick on 31st July at 1.15pm. “ Herman said. “This was something the young people said they wanted to do. I’m also arranging a 4-aside football tournament for them on another day.”

WWH Housing Officer Alex Morris has also been in talks with local councillors, Merthyr Tydfil Council officers, Fly-tipping Action Wales, Keep Wales Tidy, the local farmer and land owners about clearing the fly tipping on the fields by the turning circle. An action plan has been agreed which will include:- • removing the

rubbish which will be sorted into recyclable and non recyclable off site.

• installing better lighting and raising the height of the fence

• Putting in cctv cameras to catch anyone dumping rubbish there in the future

• Putting up more prominent signage warning against fly-tipping

You told us:that you wanted us to be based more on the estate

In response, we investigated the possibility of renting a room in The Fact Shop. However, this didn’t work out and we are in the process of applying for planning permission for change of use to an office at 47 Twyncarmel. If successful, it would also double as a show flat with the main living area being furnished.



We listened and joined up with Treharris Boys and Girls Club on a project working with young people on the estate called ‘Getting Together’, managed by CWVYS (Council for Wales Voluntary Youth Sector).

The project has brought together organisations across Wales with approximately 45-55 young people, in 4 partnership project teams (of which the project in Twyncarmel is one) who will work together to develop:

• A community engagement event • A series of themed local activities in the community to help develop good community

relationships• The ‘glue’ holding the project together, will be the quality of relationships between the different

youth groups, young people and the community. • All participants, youth workers and young people will be provided with skill building workshops

to help deliver these outcomes.

“Herman Valentin, one of our Community Development Project Officers in Cardiff is also a trained youth worker which made him an ideal choice to lead on the project for us.” said Bridget Garrod, Neighbourhood Team and Housing Manager for the area.

Herman is also working alongside GFG’s youth workers, Kayleigh and Ryan. “I am at the Fact shop on a Thursday evening every fortnight. So if you would like to get involved, you can email me on [email protected], call me on 0800 052 2526 or see me at The Fact Shop” said Herman.

More information can be found at http://www.cwvys.org.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/CWVYS

You said:you wanted more activities for young people

Twyncarmel Youth Club @ The Fact Shop

Feeling bored through the week?

Why not pop into your local youth club open Monday’s and Thursday’s. Come and socialise with friends, learn new skills, get active in sports, ICT, gain qualifications, go on outings and trips, or just chill.

Mondays 5 - 8pm (ages 8+)Thursdays 6 - 8pm (ages 11+)

All you need is a registration form. Pop in to meet the youth workers and become a member of Twyncarmel youth.

Looking for advice on day-to-day issues? Pop in for a chat. We run regular workshops discussing:

• Drug and alcohol dependency• Smoking• Sexual health• Bullying• Crime and consequences

We also run projects including a camera club, a homework club, and singing/songwriting. If you are interested speak to Kayleigh during youth evenings.

Helping young people gain work experience

Earlier in the year Alison Chaplin and Herman Valentin called at properties where young people lived to tell them about an exciting and unique work experience opportunity.

Morgan Cole Solicitors’ work placement initiative, ‘ Growing Ambitions’ is aimed at young people aged 15 - 16 years. The work placement includes one week’s work experience in Morgan Cole’s offices in Cardiff, help with writing a CV and interview skills, and the support of a young solicitor mentor for up to 18 months.

An open evening was held on the 21st May and Toby Lagos from Twyncarmel has been offered a week’s work experience with Morgan Cole in August.

If you are interested in gaining some workexperience with the Association, register your interest on our website www.wwha.co.uk under the jobs section, stating what type of work experience you are looking for and for how long. We will then let you know if we are able to assist you.


Keeping you informed on changes to the way you apply for rented properties in Merthyr Tydfil

On 14th April 2014, Tai Dewis the common housing register listing all housing association properties to rent in Merthyr Tydfil became Housing Choice.

Properties to rent are no longer advertised in the Merthyr Express, but can be viewed on-line at www.merthyrhousingchoice.org.uk .

The new website will provide information on all aspects of housing advice, including: • social housing• assisted home ownership • information on supported housing services • enforcement• and private rented sector

You will no longer be able to bid via text or coupon.

Bidding for a property will be via the new Housing Choice website or via telephone, both of which can be done from the comfort of your own home.

If you do not have home internet access, you can still visit the One Stop Shop in the Civic Centre to place your bids. If you are unsure about using computers, advisors will be available in the One Stop Shop to help you with your search/bid. Telephone bidding will currently remain the same.

For the first time, the website will also link perspective tenants up with participating landlords in the private rented sector through the innovative Tenant Finding scheme.

If you need more advice, contact your Housing Officer Alex Morris, on 07929201423 or email [email protected].


What you should know about

Housing BenefitMost important - Do not delay, make the claim straight away!

• Either the tenant or partner can make the claim

• Make a claim if you are on low income - state benefits, part or full-time employment

• You must be a resident to receive housing benefit. New tenants must move in and claim housing benefit on the date the tenancy starts. A delay in moving in will mean that you will have to pay rent yourself for the period you are not in occupation.

• If you cannot afford your rent, complete and return your housing benefit claim form immediately even if you are not able to provide all the documentary evidence at that point. Housing benefit is awarded in line with the date of claim - hand in further information whne you have it available, eg. pay slips

• Always ask for a receipt when you hand in your claim form

• If the Housing Benefit section asks you to renew your claim or requests further information, do not delay in responding. You will lose benefit for a late claim

• If you have more than £16,000 capital you cannot claim housing benefit, unless you are receiving the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit

• If you have an adult living with you who is not your partner, tenant or a boarder, he/she is regarded as a non dependent. This could be a friend, parent, adult son or daughter. In such cases an amount is usually deducted from your housing benefit because

they could contribute to the cost of the accommodation.

• If you do not fully occupy your home (that is, you have more bedrooms than you need) housing benefit will not cover the cost of the surplus bedroom(s). You will need to pay either 14% or 25% of the rent yourself.

• If you or your partner has a disability that requires overnight care from a carer who does not usually live with you and you have an extra bedroom for occasional use by the carer, you may be able to get more housing benefit

• If you have a disabled child who cannot share a bedroom with another child because of the disability, you may be able to get more housing benefit

• If your housing benefit does not cover all your rent and you are struggling to meet your rent paymetns you can ask the local authority for a discretionary housing payment.


How to claim Housing BenefitContact your local authority Housing Benefit office by telephone or by calling at the office to advise them you wish to make a claim.

This will result in an appointment, where an adviser will help you to complete your claim. If, through illness or disability, you are unable to attend the office an adviser will visit you at your home.

The telephone contact number is:

01685 725000 / 725116The address of the Housing Benefit office is:Civic Centre, Castle StreetMerthyr Tydfil CF47 8AN

When you apply for housing benefit you will need to provide your national insurance (NI) number. If you are in work you will need to provide evidence of your income and capital.

Remember to report immediately all changes of circumstances which may affect the amount of housing benefit you receive eg. changes to income and capital, changes to who lives with you. You may be underpaid or overpaid if you delay in advising a change in your circumstances. Overpayments will mean you have to pay more money towards your rent and often result in rent arrears.

You may be entitled to a 4-week extended payment of housing benefit if you have been long-term unemployed and find work. The Department of Work & Pensions will notify the local authority if you qualify.

If you are refused housing benefit, and you think the decision is wrong, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again or you can appeal. You should do this within one month of the decision about your housing benefit.

If you want help or advice with paying your rent call Alex on 07929 201423 or Sharon Jones, Tenancy Support Officer, on 07826 526511, or call 0800 052 2526 and ask for Alex or Sharon.

We hope you have found this newslett er useful!

If there is anything in parti cular you’d like us to look at in the next editi on please let us know!

Contact Alison Chaplin, Community DevelopmentProject Offi cer 07929 [email protected]

Follow us on Twitt er @wwha

Check out our website:www.wwha.co.uk

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Tell us your views

Thanks for your comments.

Page 6| www.wwha.co.uk | 0800 052 2526 | Twitt er: @wwha

twyncarmel newsletter june 2014

Documents

housing manager

housing associations

housing options

registered housing choice

new properties

wales west housing home

bedroom properties available

wwh residents