Agenda item

[The report of the  Director for Planning, Regeneration and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning.]To seek authority to consult on: (a) proposals to update the Housing Allocations Scheme and Tenancy Strategy b) draft Homelessness Delivery Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning introduced the report which set out the potential changes that will be consulted upon, in three policy and delivery areas - the Housing Allocations Policy, the Tenancy Strategy and the Homelessness Delivery Plan.  These changes were necessary to support achievement of the new Housing Strategy or to comply with changes in legislation.

RESOLVED

To authorise public consultation with residents, partners and stakeholders on:

1.    The proposed changes to the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme set out in appendix 1.

2.    The proposed changes to the Council’s Tenancy Strategy set out in appendix 2.

3.    The new Homelessness Strategy and Delivery Plan set out in appendix 3.

Reasons for decision

A decision is required to ensure that the Council complies with its obligations to consult about changes in housing services.  There is a legal requirement that before making major changes to its Allocations Scheme the Council consults private registered providers of social housing and registered providers with whom we have nominations rights.  It is also good practice to consult residents.

There is a statutory duty to consult the Greater London Authority (GLA) and registered providers operating in the borough on its Tenancy Strategy; and again, it is considered best practice to consult more widely and the Council has done so previously.

The Homelessness Act 2002 requires local authorities to carry out a homelessness review of their area and from that information publish a homelessness strategy. The Council published its last 5 year Homelessness Strategy in 2012, as a multi-agency document delivered with partners.  The Council wishes to consult widely on a new homelessness plan and the views of our partners and all stakeholders are critical in developing this.  A decision is required to ensure that the Council properly engages with partners and stakeholders in tackling homelessness in the borough.

Alternative options considered

An alternative approach to the Allocations Policy would be to make no further changes to the Policy, which was last reviewed in 2014 (changes arising from that review were adopted in September 2015).  There is some merit in this approach as changing the Allocations Policy is an extensive exercise, and should be undertaken only when there is a need to make amendments as a result of legislation, policy change or case law.  However, there are a number of environmental and legal factors driving the need for change, such as the reducing supply of housing; and the need to ensure that those most unable to solve their housing problems in the open market are supported.  It has therefore been decided to bring forward these changes which should assist the Council achieve its objectives of ensuring that those most in need receive assistance, and that those most able to find alternative housing to social housing, are assisted to do so.  It is also important that the Allocations Policy supports the Council’s current and changing policy objectives, as reflected in the new Housing Strategy.

There is no alternative to consulting on a new Tenancy Strategy.  The legislation contained within the Housing and Planning Act 2016 means that the current Tenancy Strategy will no longer be effective when the legislation comes into force, as lifetime tenancies will be abolished.  If the Council does not adopt a new tenancy strategy, then new tenancies will become five year tenancies by default, and tenants will not be sufficiently aware of the change in their status, and the need to review their tenancies during the period of the tenancy.  The Council will also not have a legally compliant Tenancy Strategy.

It is a statutory obligation to have a Homelessness Strategy and to consult with those likely to be affected by it.  Not having a Homelessness Strategy would render the Council ineffective in setting out its strategic approach to tackling homelessness, working in partnership would be more difficult without a clear agreed direction and the allocation of resources would be more difficult to justify.