Issue - meetings

Haringey had an ageing population. The Council wanted to expand the offer to older residents beyond the current offer of sheltered housing or care homes. The Council’s engagement with older residents had revealed there was a strong demand for accessible, safe, and secure home which can be occupied for many years.

The Wingspan Scheme was a high-quality development of 272 new council homes located in Tottenham Hale. All these homes would be let at Council rents.

The Council believes that the 46 one-bedroom and 73 two-bedroom homes located in Redwing Court & Turnstone Court are particularly suitable for older residents looking for accessible, safe, and secure homes. The Council was therefore seeking to put in place a Local Lettings Plan (‘Lettings Plan’) that will ensure these 119 homes were let to people aged fifty-five or over.

In 2024/25 the Council let 739 homes meaning these homes were expected to be around 15% of lets. However, it was anticipated that many of these lets would go to existing social tenants who would release and so reducing the impact.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1. To note the Equality Impact assessment and the Consultation Report.

2. To approve the Redwing & Turnstone Local Lettings Plan.

Reasons for decision

The Lettings Plan was designed following research and engagement with older tenants on the housing offer to older residents.

The Lettings Plan would enable older residents to settle in long-term suitable homes with level access and accessible. It would also be an attractive offer to existing tenants who may release large family homes.

Alternative options considered

To not set out a Lettings Plan:

This option was rejected because the existing lettings arrangements (Neighbourhood Moves Scheme and then the wider Housing Allocations Policy) would have limited impact on the number of downsizing tenants seeking to move. It would also be a missed opportunity to develop a genuinely new offer for older people.