Agenda item

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which summarised the key areas of work being undertaken by the Service on supporting tenants who were affected by the Welfare Reform Act 2012 particularly the Social Housing size criteria (“bedroom tax”) and Universal Credit.

The key areas that extensive work had taken place on were:-

Communication of Changes/Advice and Support

-          Every opportunity had been taken to communicate the changes to Council tenants and build on the existing work via the Deprived Communities and Troubled Families agendas

Money Advice

-          Reducing expenditure e.g. energy bills, loan consolidation

-          Increasing income e.g. benefits maximisations, best interest rate for any savings

-          Comprehensive support via the website, telephone and referrals to partner agencies

Rent Payments

-          All new tenants would be required to set up a direct debit

-          Existing tenants encouraged to set up direct debits or a rent direct account with the Credit Union

Supporting People into Employment

-          Try to identify sustainable solutions to help people into training and employment

-          Link with other services more effectively

-          Wish to reinstate Employment Solutions Officers or similar

Money Advice Service (£70,000)

-          It was hoped to provide a comprehensive service for 1 year for Council tenants

-          Preferred option to fund 2 x Money Advice Officers who would be responsive and reactive to supporting Council tenants in financial difficulties

-          Alternatively, outsource the Service to existing specialist debt advice provision

-          If approved, a more detailed discussion required regarding which groups of tenants would be targeted and how they would be reached

Target Support to cover key ICT skills e.g. online transactions and claiming benefits (£35,000)

-          Hoped to match fund by Adult Services Commissioning Team

-          Potentially train 800 tenants in Year 1

-          Anticipating initial pilot targeting deprived communities to be rolled out Borough-wide if clear outcomes were being achieved

Provide Employment/Training advice from the Property Shop and to undertake home visits for 1 Year (£28,000)

-          Preferred option to employ an Employment Solutions Officer.

-          Help to prevent homelessness and support tenants back into employment or training

-          Alternatively arrange for Prospects (National Career Service) to provide a dedicated officer to be based at the Property Shop

Encourage and incentivise tenants to set up bank or Credit Union accounts (£17,000)

-          The cost per tenant to set up a rent direct account was approximately £20

-          The charge would be waived to encourage take up

-          Encourage 850 Council tenants to set up accounts which would enhance rent collection rates

Draft Downsizing Policy – significant changes

-          Budget of £50,000 to provide practical support to those who needed to move to a home with fewer bedrooms

-          The Policy would be applied in all cases where the new home would have at least 1 less bedroom than their present home

-          Council tenants who had rent arrears would not be prevented from moving – the arrears would be transferred to their new property

-          Mandatory for Council tenants to sign a Direct Debit form to pay their rent (where applicable) before and after the move

-          With regard to Council Tax support, the tenancy start date would be forward dated to the following Monday after the viewing or to the Monday when the next available gas uncap appointment was available

Furnished Homes

-          Option of reducing the number of furniture items thereby reducing the charge to a lower band

-          Leave the Scheme and tenancy status amended to “unfurnished”

-          Ability to purchase items from the Council’s second hand furniture service

Joint work on early intervention with families

-          Possible establishment of service to help families with multiple problems who could not pay their rent – work with Children and Young Peoples Services to jointly tackle the underlying causes

Advice on taking in lodgers

-          Guidance notices to be produced for staff and tenants explaining the advantages and disadvantages

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·           The incentivising of tenants to set up bank or Credit Union accounts had been perceived as those in receipt of benefits, however, if there was a genuine barrier preventing a tenant paying the £20, consideration could be given to the waiving of the fee

·           The Post Office was to offer a basic account to those who had been declared bankrupt/those who had difficulty in opening an account

Resolved:-  (1)  That the actions being taken to tackle the effects of Welfare Reform be noted.

(2)  That £150,000 Housing Revenue Account funding be allocated for additional advice and support.

(3)  That the draft Downsizing Policy be noted

(4)  That £50,000 Housing Revenue Account funding to help Council tenants downsize be approved.

(5)  That Discretionary Housing Payments be monitored closely to identify whether further Housing Revenue Account support was necessary.

(6)  That the intention to promote joint working with Children and Young Peoples Services to deliver early intervention to families affected by Welfare Reform be noted.