Orchard & Shipman’s “What Next for Temporary Housing?” Breakfast Seminar event, held at the Institute of Directors on Friday 5th February was attended by over 40 delegates, representing 19 London Boroughs.

The main topic for discussion was how the Department for Work & Pensions’ (DWP) changes to subsidies available for temporary accommodation from April 2010 will impact on the future role of leasing in temporary housing provision.

Delegates listened to presentations from Housing Consultant, Andy Gale (speaking in a personal capacity), outlining the nature of the changes and the impact they will have on local authorities, including challenges they may face.  John Taylor, CEO for Orchard & Shipman, then suggested some innovative ways the private sector could assist local authorities in addressing these challenges.

The looming 2012 target on beating homelessness will be met, according to the Government and campaigners.

Scotland's housing and homeless leaders and senior academics have gathered today at the Delivering 2012 conference, hosted by Shelter Scotland and sponsored by Orchard & Shipman, to assess the real progress made under Scotland's internationally acclaimed homelessness legislation.  It will focus on how Scotland will be meeting commitments to give everyone the right to a home, as well as providing a platform for sharing ideas for ending homelessness.

A conference in Edinburgh next Wednesday (30 September) will examine how the Scottish Government and Scottish public sector organisations can adopt radical approaches to avoid cuts to vital public services.

Everyone can benefit from letting to tenants under a third-party scheme
By Richard Dyson (Mail Online)

Almost one million households on housing benefit are renting from private landlords. And property investors who target this huge pool of tenants have found it a profitable and dependable business.

Orchard & Shipman, the UK's only national provider of private sector leasing and temporary accommodation specialists, has been awarded certification by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to the quality management standard, ISO9001.

New scheme aims to stop 300 people becoming homeless

A NEW scheme launched in Edinburgh aims to find places to live for up to 300 people on the brink of homelessness.

The LetFirst service provides accommodation in private rented properties for people who cannot get council housing but are said to be at risk of becoming homeless.

The scheme is to be run by Orchard & Shipman after it won a tender to provide an assisted private rental scheme as part of the council's drive to tackle the problem.

As a result of the City of Edinburgh Council’s (CEC) recent successful tendering of advice and support services, Orchard & Shipman has been commissioned to deliver an innovative and comprehensive solution to help people find homes in the city.

Orchard & Shipman LetFirst is an assisted private rented scheme designed to encourage and assist people who are having difficulty finding good quality, affordable, accommodation.

The number of mortgages handed out by lenders rose slightly in February but activity in the market remains weak, according to a lenders' group.

Interest from home-buyers is starting to gain "real momentum", although sales remain low, UK surveyors say.

The number of houses sold in Edinburgh is back on the rise after hitting a record low early this year.