Thinking positively about 2009
I'm usually filled with optimism when a new year starts, but the seemingly constant news of job losses and companies in trouble, as well as people facing redundancy, debt and even homelessness, makes me wonder how long it will take us to pull out of this economic downturn, and what will happen to people at risk in the meantime.
My son has recently been laid off from his job, so I know how tough the employment market is, even if you have good qualifications and recent work experience, never mind if you haven't worked for some time. I'm particularly pleased that CIH is doing some work to support housing organisations in helping their residents back into work. Our new worklessness toolkit is a resource that gives useful guidance on how to help residents develop their skills and employability and how to help them overcome barriers to work, for example by providing subsidised child care places, like Places for People do through their Places for Children nurseries.
I am also encouraged to see how many fantastic initiatives there are to give residents better access to affordable credit and to encourage them to save, making them more financially independent and able to plan for the future. CIH will soon have a total of four staff working with housing organisations on developing partnerships with people like credit unions and money advice centres. Part of their role will also be to work with housing organisations to assist them in developing strategies to help their residents face the future with more confidence.
Despite the economic slowdown, the low numbers of housing completions and the drying up of credit, I feel that we have an historic opportunity created by the downturn to acquire good quality land at low prices for affordable housing provision. But most of all, I am encouraged by the continuing enthusiasm and energy of the people working in our sector and by their commitment to help improve people's lives and, in turn, their life chances.
My son has recently been laid off from his job, so I know how tough the employment market is, even if you have good qualifications and recent work experience, never mind if you haven't worked for some time. I'm particularly pleased that CIH is doing some work to support housing organisations in helping their residents back into work. Our new worklessness toolkit is a resource that gives useful guidance on how to help residents develop their skills and employability and how to help them overcome barriers to work, for example by providing subsidised child care places, like Places for People do through their Places for Children nurseries.
I am also encouraged to see how many fantastic initiatives there are to give residents better access to affordable credit and to encourage them to save, making them more financially independent and able to plan for the future. CIH will soon have a total of four staff working with housing organisations on developing partnerships with people like credit unions and money advice centres. Part of their role will also be to work with housing organisations to assist them in developing strategies to help their residents face the future with more confidence.
Despite the economic slowdown, the low numbers of housing completions and the drying up of credit, I feel that we have an historic opportunity created by the downturn to acquire good quality land at low prices for affordable housing provision. But most of all, I am encouraged by the continuing enthusiasm and energy of the people working in our sector and by their commitment to help improve people's lives and, in turn, their life chances.
posted by Howard Farrand at
10:10
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