We’d like to wish a very merry Christmas to everyone who is celebrating, and a happy and healthy 2024 to everyone in Redbridge.

In this edition of Housing News we’re pointing to the support available for anyone struggling financially this winter. Please reach out if you need it - help is available. There are updates on new, fast broadband for our social housing buildings, updates on the new homes we’re building for local people. Don’t forget to note down the bin collection dates for the Christmas and new year period, which are listed below.

Christmas can be the most magical time of the year but for some the festive period comes with pressure of creating the perfect holiday cheer, leaving families in debt after the season is over.

The temptation to defer paying your rent during this period can lead to devastating consequences. Please don't ever risk your home. 

Here are a few simple steps on how to maximise your income and keep on track with your spending this festive season: help and support page

• Prioritise rent and essential payments. 

• Take advantage of local resources and grants. 

• Switch to cheaper energy tariffs. 

• Reach out if you are in debt by emailing us at: earlyinterventionteam@redbridge.gov.uk 

• Set yourself a budget and stick to it. 

• Where possible talk to family and friends for support.

For additional information and access to all the support mentioned above, visit our dedicated     help and support page.

If you're facing challenges with rent payments or have concerns about arrears, please contact our dedicated Rents Team, we are here to help.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team, (IMLT) works in partnership with trading standards authorities to investigate and prosecute illegal lenders and support victims.

Make sure you can spot the signs that may indicate someone is a loan shark. 

These signs might include: 

• Being given no paperwork or details about the loan
• The lender demanding repayments that add up to much more than you initially borrowed
• Being intimidated or threatened by the lender if you struggle to pay
• The lender demanding you hand over items like bank cards or a passport until you can pay

If you need to access affordable credit, contact your nearest credit union by visiting www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk .

For further advice on debt and borrowing contact the Orchard Housing Office and book in for an appointment with Citizens Advice Bureau.

If you're worried about loan sharks, please get in touch with the IMLT as soon as possible in complete confidence. Their specialist officers can offer advice, support and even carry out investigations.

Useful contacts 

• Call the 24/7 IMLT confidential hotline 0300 555 2222
• Join a live chat on the website stoploansharks.co.uk (available Monday to Friday 9 to 5)
• E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
• Orchard Housing Office earlyinterventionteam@redbridge.gov.uk

Remember you have done nothing wrong if you have borrowed from a loan shark. Make sure you’re not inviting a loan shark into your life this winter.

If your're struggling financially with household costs,  our webpage gives you useful information such as financial advice and helpful hints on how to save money and cut down on bills.

We regularly update our pages with new information, help and advice. 

We're helping local people in social housing properties gain access to high-speed broadband as part of our investment in digital infrastructure across the borough.

Full fibre uses fibre-optic cables, rather than the old-style copper wiring used in standard internet services, providing access to fast, reliable internet speeds. High speed broadband allows you to enjoy gaming, video calls and  This will enable you television services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video across multiple devices at the same time without disruption to your connection. 

Work is well underway with our digital infrastructure partners  Openreach and Community Fibre. Look out for further updates on our website. 

After receiving a huge response from you on our housing strategy consultation, we completed our new housing strategy document, which sets out how we intend to shape and deliver housing services over the next five years. 

The strategy covers the following areas: 

• Increasing the number of houses available, especially for families on low-incomes.
• Providing enough homes for those in most need, and making sure we're doing all we can to help prevent homelessness.
• Improving the quality of homes, making them healthier places to live and increasing their energy efficiency.
• Making sure that we put you first by being easier to contact, and dealing with your  concerns effectively.

To find out more about our new housing strategy visit our Lets talk Redbridge Engagement hub here. 

In January and February we will be visiting a number of households to help us identify who needs our help, and the types of services you might require. 

 If you're eligible for one of the visits we will pop in (with ID) and  will discuss:

• Whether you feel vulnerable and how we can support you
• repairs needed in your property 
• Whether you need special arrangements to help in emergencies, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).

If you're eligible our visiting housing officers will come by in January or February. They will present a Redbridge Council ID badge upon their arrival.

The annual residents' conference for council tenants and leaseholders was held on Saturday 14 October at City Gates Church, Ilford.

The event included interactive workshops as well as updates on how we monitor the services we provide to you, the latest information on building safety regulations and preparing for the new Consumer Standards coming into force from April 2024.

The event served as a good opportunity to share information, engage with attendees, network and find out more about what you need from us  and the services we provide. Redbridge Council would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the event a success. 

Our Affordable Homes programme continues to gather momentum as we work towards our commitment to building 600 new homes by 2025.

Alongside our contractor Lovell, we will be building 159 new homes for local people at our Loxford Lane site. These homes will be completed by Winter 2025.

For further information and updates on our Affordable Homes programme, including completed developments, visit our lets talk Redbridge engagement hub here.

What to do if you are unhappy with our service

If you wish to talk about a problem with your housing you can speak to one of our friendly housing officers. We will try and resolve matters promptly.  You can do this by telephoning our duty line on 020 8518 2400. 

If you wish to make a complaint, you can inform one of our team, although the quickest and easiest way to make a complaint is by completing the online complaints form.  

Did you know you can contact the Housing Ombudsman at any time for support in helping to resolve a complaint?  The Housing Ombudsman Service is set up by law and is free, independent and impartial.

More information about the Housing Ombudsman, including their contact details can be found on the Ombudsman Website.