Glossary of Terms

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Factoring: The process of managing and maintaining property in multiple ownership either by an RSL, a specially appointed agent or by one of the owners. In tenements, the tradition is for factors to be independent agents acting for a variety of owners. Factoring can apply to the 'closes' and other common parts of a tenement and also common areas in estates where footpaths, play areas and landscaped areas have not been adopted by the council. The factor may also administer communal insurances.
Feu Duty: A cash payment due by the owner of land or property to the original feudal superior of the land or his successor. The payment is in return for permission to build or own buildings on the land. In most cases feu duty can now be 'redeemed' or bought out. The law on this is about to change.
Feu Superior: The individual or body which has rights (written into the title deeds) to control (within limits) the use of land or buildings owned by someone else.
Financial Inclusion: Measures taken, usually locally, to help people and groups get access to funding they would otherwise be denied because they do not have a bank or building society account. Credit unions and other community banking initiatives help increase financial inclusion.
Flexible Tenure: A form of tenure where residents can switch from renting to owning and vice versa.
Foyer: A type of project, aimed at young unemployed people, which combines housing and training or employment.
Fuel Poverty: The Scottish Executive considers a household to be in fuel poverty if, in order to keep the home sufficiently heated, it would have to spend more than 10 percent of its income (including housing benefit or income support for mortgage interest) on all household fuel use.
Futurebuilders: A Scottish Executive programme, managed by Communities Scotland, that will invest £18 million in the social economy sector from 2005 to 2007. The programme will help social economy sector organisations deliver better public services and increase their financial stability.
Governance: This term describes the collective conduct and practices of the RSLs management committee or board in exercising its responsibilities.The leadership, direction and control of the RSL should ensure that it achieves its agreed aims and - in doing so - best serves the interests of its stakeholders and the general public.
Grant Planning Target: Each RSL with a development programme being funded by Communities Scotland is given a target for how much grant is to be claimed in any year. Each RSL is consulted about its target. This was previously known as the Cash Planning Target.
Greenfield Site: A planning term to describe land which has not previously been developed. (Contrast with Brownfield Site).
Group Structure: A legal term to describe the situation where more than one organisation is linked through a parent/subsidiary relationship.
Guarantee Company/Company Limited by Guarantee: A popular form of company in the voluntary sector, members do not buy shares but guarantee a maximum payment of a small sum (usually £1) in the event of financial difficulty. Board members are unpaid. A minimum membership of 2 people is required.
Homeadvantage: A website offering homes in Edinburgh for sales, shared ownership or mid or market rent by Link or Castle Rock/Lothian HA. www.homeadvantage-edinburgh.co.uk
homehunt®: A choice-based house letting scheme used by Link, developed by Berwickshire Housing Association and used by Link, Servite, East Lothian Housing Association and others.
Homeless: Given a wide interpretation to include not only "not having a roof over your head" but also being under threat of eviction, living inappropriately in an institution, sharing with friends or family, etc.
HomePoint: A team within Communities Scotland that supports providers of housing information and advice services.
Homestake: Original pilot scheme aimed at helping people on low incomes who wanted to be home owners but could not afford to pay the full price for a house. Housing associations funded part of the price of the house, using a Homestake grant, and retained a corresponding equity in the property. Homestake was replaced in early 2008 by a very similar scheme called LIFT.
Housing Association Grant (HAG): The capital grant which was paid to a registered housing association by Scottish Homes to meet the bulk of the costs of particular rehabilitation and new build projects. This has now been superseded by the Social Housing Grant (SHG).
Housing Benefit: A means-tested benefit payable to low-income households to cover their housing costs. Payment is made by the DSS via local authorities or Communities Scotland.
Housing for varying needs: Homes which are adapted or adaptable in future for people whose families will expand or who might be or become physically disabled.
Housing in Multiple Occupation: Properties in which more than one household share basic amenities.
Housing Support: Systems of help and advice for a range of people in different tenures to help them live independently in their communities. Aspects of support include rent and benefits, cooking, bills, furnishing and life skills to assist them in community integration and to take control of their lives (see also Community Care and Care in the Community).

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Page last updated on Tuesday, 25 November 2008