Issue - meetings

The Committee NOTED the report of the Director of Housing Demand which was included in the agenda pack at pages 21-23.

The Director of Housing Demand advised the Committee that Housing Services and Children’s Services had agreed that a quota of social housing lets would be set aside each year for care leavers. The quota level was based on a projection of the number of people that were due to leave care that year and a consideration of the range of needs. The current quota was 60 one bedroom properties and 6 two bed properties. Liaison was undertaken with the Young Adult Services for nominations to the quota and allocation of Band A status.

The Committee was advised that there were two training flats which were used as a supported living scheme to help young people who may need to develop some additional skills or experience before managing their own tenancy. The Director of Housing demand also advised that HfH were also looking to add some studio flats to this provision where the young person would be provided with floating support. In response to a question on the timing of the studio flats, the Director of Housing Demand commented that she could include the next suitable property into this provision but advised that the volunteer support needed to be in place from the YAS. The Director of Housing Demand agreed to discuss this with Emma Cummergen. Action: Denise Gandy.

The Director of Housing Demand advised that homelessness legislation supported the Leaving Care Act; 18 – 21 year olds who are care levers had an automatic priority need and so the Council would owe them a homelessness duty if they were in housing need. It was noted that since the introduction of the social housing quota, most care leavers moved on to their settled accommodation without the need for temporary accommodation.

The Committee was advised that if a care leaver preferred to move into private rented accommodation, they could be supported to do this through an incentive payment to a private landlord. Care leavers were exempt from the shared room rate in the private sector until they were 22 and so would be able to rent a one bedroom flat rather than just a room.

The Director of Housing Demand suggested that consideration was being given to whether there was more that could be done to enhance the Council’s offer as corporate parents. Options included: Working with contractors to offer a day course on painting and decorating and basic home maintenance; an enhanced housing management offer and offering an apprenticeship to a care leaver. The Director of Housing Demand agreed to progress working with contractors to offer a course on painting and decorating. Action: Denise Gandy

The Committee expressed significant concerns with the experience of the Young People’s Involvement Officer when she accompanied an Aspire Member on a housing visit. Concerns were raised that the visit was carried out in hurried manner with a number of other prospective tenants waiting outside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 456