Agenda item

Sheltered Housing Review: Changes are being proposed to sheltered housing services. There are currently three levels of support, with a low degree of flexibility. Only sheltered housing tenants can access support at present.

The proposals seek to expand the provision of the service to the wider community, with the aim of encouraging independence. A system of flexible support is proposed, support which reflects clients’ changing circumstances. The service will be open to everyone.

The proposals recognise that the network of community rooms is currently under-utilised. Consideration will be given whether to open them up to wider community use, and developing their use in supporting people.

The twelve week consultation period ends on 24 September 2012. The consultation has included an on-line survey (over 1000 responses), various events and a presence at Forums such as this. In addition, there is a dedicated phone line.

Housing Allocations Review: Ian Swift, Housing Solution Manager outlined proposals for changes to the Housing Allocations Policy.

The current council housing waiting list contains nearly 10,000 people, with over 500 people in an emergency category. The numbers waiting for accommodation is increasing, and with the council only able to allocate around 1000 people per year, most people on the waiting list do not have any realistic chance of being housed by the local authority, particularly those on the lower priority bands. Currently, around 100 “affordable” units are being built each year, while the council receives 500 applications every month. Lettings are reducing due to the economic circumstances; there is relatively little movement in accommodation with an increased number of applications.

The Localism Act has given the council more flexibility in managing the housing waiting list. The proposals include removing Bands C and D, which in practice, are currently not being offered housing. A new system of priorities will be introduced, including people who do community and voluntary work and people leaving the armed services.

There are proposals for tenancy checks before being allowed to join the register, and potential tenants may be excluded if they have caused damage to properties, or have been convicted of committing hate crimes, or for people who have arrears in their rent.

It is proposed that, in the event of a prospective tenant refusing three property offers, they will be excluded from the housing register for twelve months.

One of the effects of the potential changes will be to reduce the housing register from nearly 10,000 to around 4,500. Part of this will be achieved by concentrating on the highest priority bands.

The extensive consultation has included: speaking at forums, fifty drop-in sessions, 30 sessions within the community and focus groups. The consultation ends on 23 October.

Q: Will people who are victims of hate crime be treated as an emergency?

A: A specific hate crime officer has been recruited to provide specialist advice to victims of hate crime.

Q: Will the housing service maintain its “champion” status?

A: The service has several accreditations, including by the Albert Kennedy Trust. Furthermore, a recent submission has been made to Stonewall.

Q: Is there any scheme for exchanging housing nationally?

A: The best way for someone in Band C is through mutual exchange. There is an internet service called HomeSwapper (http://www.homeswapper.co.uk/) which facilitates such exchanges.

Tenancy Strategy: Gary Parsons, the council’s housing Strategy and Performance Manager, outlined plans to develop the council’s tenancy strategy. Local Authorities need to develop their tenancy strategies by mid-January 2013. The strategy needs to cover how to offer tenancies, and for how long. Currently, following a twelve-month introductory tenancy, tenancies are offered for life.

It is proposed to introduce new five-year fixed term tenancies, as well as a lifetime tenancy (for elderly people and people who are disabled). There will be criteria for renewal for five-year tenancies once they have expired. In certain instances, tenants will not be eligible for an extension to their tenancies, for example where there is under-occupation of the property, where adaptations to properties are no longer required, or where changes to financial circumstances mean that tenants can afford the privately-rented sector.

If a tenant moves to a new address, this will be seen as a new tenancy.

The sixteen-week consultation ends on 23 October, 2012. The proposals will be considered by the council’s cabinet in December.

Comment: The proposed changes will remove security for council tenants. Many tenants currently have a stake in their home and take pride in it. If the tenancy is limited, they will not invest in their properties. There are many disincentives for people to improve their lives.

Response: The proposed changes will only affect new tenancies. All local authorities  are facing similar challenges.

Q: Will the bandings be made clear?

A: Yes, the same threshold will be used.