Agenda item

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report proposing the introduction of Under Occupancy and Housing Assistance incentives to encourage tenants that were under occupying large Council houses to downsize.

Currently there were 142 households in Rotherham that were under occupying 4 bedroom houses and 5,025 under occupying 3 bedroom houses.  Of those, 2,538 households had applied via the Housing Register for a transfer to a smaller home.  Since December, 2008, only 18 under occupied households living in family houses had actually transferred to a flat or bungalow.  This was because overall the demand for accommodation was extremely high and most certainly outweighed supply.  In total there were 7,981 single applicants on the Housing Register wanting to move to smaller accommodation.

Currently, there were no financial incentives offered, however, the Allocation Policy did award Priority status to households who wished to downsize to a flat or bungalow.  Since December, 2008, 120 households had been awarded Priority status to enable them to transfer.

Implementation of an enhanced Under Occupancy Policy to encourage downsizing could include:-

-        Better provision of information to tenants about the availability of suitable housing and the process of securing it could help encourage people in under occupancy situations to secure smaller properties

-        Amend the Allocation Policy to allow under occupiers of 4 bedroom houses to downsize to 2 bedroom houses and permit more than 2 refusals

-        Suggestions from customers and Elected Members including:-

o       Work with internal and partner agencies

o       Undertake chain lettings

o       In cases of secure tenants, when a successor was a family member other than a spouse, award of Priority Plus status to offer suitable alternative smaller accommodation

o       2 tenancies for 1

o       Local Lettings Policy giving preference to Council tenants who were under occupiers, with a proven record of “Good Tenant”, move to RSL and Council New Building

o       Promote positive features of sheltered housing

The implementation of a cash incentive scheme to encourage downsizing, a Mutual Exchange incentive or direct payment of expenses and removal costs were not supported at the present time but may be reconsidered dependent upon the success of the other options.

It had also been agreed by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Services (Minute No. J.142 of 1^st March, 2010), that the Director explore the possibility of nominating a dedicated officer to work on this issue.

Discussion ensued with the following issues highlighted:-

-              There was a critical under supply of 2 bedroomed bungalows – 1 bedroomed bungalows were unpopular

-              How many 3 bedroomed properties were there in the Borough?

-              Could financial incentives be given those willing to move into a 1 bedroomed bungalow?

-              Were the additional charges for the Warden Service and Rothercare a disincentive for people to move?

-              Balance between sensitivity to people’s demands and need and not forcing them unduly

-              There would be Local Lettings Policies for the 72 new Council build.  Work would take place with Registered Social Landlords around their development opportunities

-              Work would take place over the next year to ascertain what could be done and what difference it would make.  The work would then be reviewed and a further report submitted

-              Possible negative effect at the other end of the Housing Register i.e. young people wanting starter homes

-              Instead of a cash incentive there could be “support” e.g. arranging decorators, transport etc.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Policy review include a detailed action plan and consultation with tenants.

(3) That the action plan and details of consultation be submitted to the Panel.