Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood  and Building Services is to outline financial assistance currently offered to access private sector accommodation to those that qualify.  To outline options for extending financial support to others who do not currently qualify.

RECOMMENDED

(1)       That the Cabinet Member for Housing notes the current forms of provision and the criteria under which residents can access this. 

(2)       That the Cabinet Member for Housing instructs officers to update the information published by the council outlining the current offer of assistance with rent deposits, as part of a plan to update the information we provide online to tenants and landlords.

(3)       That the Cabinet Member for Housing stresses the administration's desire to expand access to the private rented sector beyond the current offer, to help more residents secure affordable and sustainable tenancies.

(4)       That officers review the potential options, and risks, in expanding financial support beyond the current schemes and return to councillors with a detailed options paper regarding the expansion of financial support to access the private rental sector.  In order to expand provision beyond the current schemes, the Cabinet Member for Housing will identify and make available a source of funding, in agreement with the Director for Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services and the Section 151 officer.

(1)  The Cabinet Member for Housing noted the current forms of provision and the criteria under which residents can access this. 

(2)  The Cabinet Member for Housing instructed officers to update the information published by the council outlining the current offer of assistance with rent deposits, as part of a plan to update the information we provide online to tenants and landlords.

(3)  The Cabinet Member for Housing stressed the administration's desire to expand access to the private rented sector beyond the current offer, to help more residents secure affordable and sustainable tenancies.

(4)  Officers will review the potential options, and risks, in expanding financial support beyond the current schemes and return to councillors with a detailed options paper regarding the expansion of financial support to access the private rental sector.  In order to expand provision beyond the current schemes, the Cabinet Member for Housing will identify and make available a source of funding, in agreement with the Director for Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services and the Section 151 Officer.

Mark Sage, the Tackling Poverty Co-ordinator presented the report on behalf of the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Buildings, and explained the financial assistance currently provided and the options to extend help to those who do not qualify now.  It was reported that roughly 7 households per week use either the Homelessness Prevention Fund or the Discretionary Housing Payments to secure a private rented home, and the number of those assisted is significantly higher this financial year than last year.

Maria Cole from the Residents' Consortium, asked if loans could be repaid back with rent; in response it was reported that the council are working with private sector landlords who will receive the rent direct, and may not wish to collect loans on behalf of PCC and that rent affordability is a significant problem.  The idea would however be explored.

Councillor Stubbs, Conservative Spokesperson, asked why the numbers of people assisted using the Homelessness Prevention Fund had seemed to double in a year?  It was reported that the Homelessness Reduction Act had meant that a wider group of people were being helped and more were also being directed to Housing Benefits for Discretionary Housing Payments.  Councillor Stubbs supported exploring links with a credit union.

Councillor Coles, Labour Spokesperson, asked if a Local Housing Letting Agency had been considered?  Councillor Sanders responded that this had previously been looked at approximately 5 years ago but a lot of options were being investigated and this could be revisited.

Councillor Sanders, as Cabinet Member for Housing, stressed the need for easier access to renting privately so he wished to investigate expanding the rent deposit scheme and looking further at guarantors and the level of demand.  This also tied in with the Homelessness Strategy with people coming to the council having lost private rented tenancies and the reasons needed to be known for this.

DECISIONS:

(1)  The Cabinet Member for Housing noted the current forms of provision and the criteria under which residents can access this. 

(2)  The Cabinet Member for Housing instructed officers to update the information published by the council outlining the current offer of assistance with rent deposits, as part of a plan to update the information we provide online to tenants and landlords.

(3)  The Cabinet Member for Housing stressed the administration's desire to expand access to the private rented sector beyond the current offer, to help more residents secure affordable and sustainable tenancies.

(4)  Officers will review the potential options, and risks, in expanding financial support beyond the current schemes and return to councillors with a detailed options paper regarding the expansion of financial support to access the private rental sector.  In order to expand provision beyond the current schemes, the Cabinet Member for Housing will identify and make available a source of funding, in agreement with the Director for Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services and the Section 151 Officer.