Two years on – HECS data released
Work, Training and Housing scheme helps more than 4,000 people in first two years
28th May 2010 - A new report highlights the success of The Housing Employment Connections Service (HECS) in directing more than 4,000 social housing tenants towards employment or training opportunities. HECS was launched just one year ago by social enterprise Home Connections following a year-long pilot.
The report shows that nearly 9,000 job vacancies were viewed by HECS users – though there is also valuable insight into why some people do not want the opportunities offered, such as worry about childcare arrangements, health and loss of benefits.
Tenants looking for a new home through Choice Based Lettings schemes are encouraged by the HECS system to take stock of their employment and training needs, then take action to improve their employment status and thus their housing situation. Michael Jones, from the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at the University of Cambridge, said: ‘Looking for a home through Home Connections offers people the opportunity to think about their future more generally, and to explore a range of training and job opportunities, but it is still the case that problems around childcare, health and the benefits system can deter people from being able to benefit from these’.
HECS gives home seekers the opportunity to apply for jobs or training whenever they access local authority housing options through Choice Based Lettings (CBL) or standalone housing systems, during their search. Since its launch the London Boroughs of Camden, Barnet, Haringey, Islington and The Royal Borough of Kensington, Westminster and housing association Peabody have witnessed widespread enthusiasm from housing applicants.
Ninesh Muthiah, chief executive of Home Connections, said: ‘Our report shows the impact the HECS system has had across many housing associations and local authorities. It also gives insight into people’s perceptions about barriers to them improving their housing conditions through better paid and more secure employment – and that’s an invaluable resource for all those interested in breaking the cycle of the more negative links between lack of skills, housing tenure and employment status.’
The full report can be downloaded here: hecs report may 2010 final
