Agenda item

(Director of Communities) To consider the attached progress report.

The Panel received a progress report regarding the HomeOption Choice Based Lettings Scheme from the Assistant Director (Housing Operations).

The Choice Based Lettings Scheme introduced in November 2007 was administered externally by Locata Housing Services (LHS). Under the scheme, all vacant social rented properties were advertised to applicants on the website and a two weekly Property List giving details of location, type, rent, service charge, council tax band and landlord of the available accommodation. Applicants applying for a property by expressing an interest in up to a maximum of three properties for which they had an assessed need.

At the end of the two weekly cycle, the Council analysed the expressions of interest received and allocated each property following a process in accordance with its own Housing Allocations Scheme. Generally, the property was offered to the applicant in the highest band, who was registered the longest and had expressed an interest for the specific vacancy. The results on properties advertised was published on the Council’s website which helped applicants see how long the successful applicant had been waiting and gave greater transparency in the allocation of accommodation.

Between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 345 properties had been allocated to home seekers on the Housing Register. A further 49 properties were allocated direct to homeless applicants and an additional 11 to applicants leaving supported housing.

Some of the 345 properties allocated from the Housing Register had been advertised on more than one occasion, as they were difficult to let, this had resulted in 427 advertisements being placed on the website and in the Property Lists. With 24,307 expressions of interest being made, this was an average of around 70 expressions of interest from home seekers each time a property was advertised. Most properties attracted in excess of 200 expressions of interest. Almost 97% of home seekers expressed an interest in properties over the Internet.

Around 71% of all applicants registered on the Housing Register had participated in the scheme during the last year.

Housing Register Activity Report

The Housing Register Activity Report for the same period showed the number of lets and number of home seekers in each of the three priority bands. It should be noted that there were 82 (23%) properties refused during the period.

As a result of the introduction of the Local Eligibility Criteria under the current Housing Allocations Scheme, the numbers of home seekers on the Housing Register on 1 September 2013 had substantially reduced. As at 31 August 2014 there were 1,563 homeseekers on the Housing Register compared to 6,219 in June 2011. Under the revised scheme, a new Supplementary Waiting List was created enabling applicants over 60 years of age who had not met the residency criteria, or had a housing need, to bid on properties in sheltered accommodation. As at 31 August 2014 there were 210 applicants on this list.

Support currently Provided to Vulnerable Applicants

The Housing Allocations Team within the Housing Options Section offered a great deal of support to vulnerable applicants including the following:

(1)  A list of all vulnerable applicants was maintained.

(2)  The Relocation Support Officer provided assistance to vulnerable people to join the Housing Register.

(3)  Scheme Managers were given lists of older tenants they visited who were on the Housing Register. When visiting, they ensured the residents understood how to participate in the Choice Based Lettings Scheme.

(4)  New applicants joining the Housing Register were given an Information Pack which gave details of the scheme and how assistance could be obtained.

(5)  Articles had been included in “Housing News” on the scheme explaining that applicants could seek assistance from staff.

(6)  A letter was sent to all those not participating in the scheme for more than 6 months asking if they wished to remain on the Housing Register and if they required any assistance in the scheme.

(7)  Access to the scheme was provided electronically by way of a kiosk and a computer terminal currently provided in receptions at the Civic Offices, Area Housing Office(South) at The Broadway, Loughton and at the Limes Centre, Chigwell.

(8)  Staff were able to refer applicants to Essex County Council’s floating support provider, Family Mosaic, for assistance with a range of housing related support matters.

The Panel supported the progress made with the scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the HomeOption Choice Based Lettings Scheme for the period 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014 be noted.