industry news
Affordable housing a step closer T
ower Hamlets Council’s bid to build genuinely affordable housing in the borough is a step closer.
The council’s Housing Policy and Affordability
Commission (which first met in December 2015) has published its recommendations, which were approved by Cabinet on 10 May. The Commission was led by the Mayor of
Tower Hamlets, John Biggs and a panel of experts to look at ways to tackle the housing crisis in the borough, with the aim of delivering genuinely affordable housing. Chaired by Cllr Rachel Blake, cabinet member
for Strategic Development, the Commission met three times before putting forward its recommendations, based on evidence from residents, housing providers and industry experts. The key recommendations of the Commission
were as follows:
• To deliver 100 per cent rented housing on new build council schemes combining social target rents and homes at ‘living rent’
• To explore reducing rents on S106 schemes to more affordable levels, taking into account impact on viability, and possible reduction in overall affordable housing units.
• To review council policy on commuted sums for affordable housing, with reference to mixed and sustainable communities, and the overall output of affordable housing.
The Commission made a number of other recommendations around low cost home
ownership; making best use of council-owned land; private sector licensing; and developing a multiple occupation model for younger residents. Mayor Biggs said: “We know there are big
challenges ahead if we are to deliver genuinely affordable homes for residents. The recommendations made by the Housing
Policy and Affordability Commission mark the start of what will be a long process in achieving that goal. Cllr Rachel Blake added: “The Commission has
brought together experts from across the housing sector, and we thank them for their time and dedication to this important initiative. The Commission found that Affordable Rent
doesn’t work for Tower Hamlets residents, with the cost of renting increasing more than local incomes. Households on average incomes in Tower Hamlets are struggling to afford their rent. The recommendations help us to achieve our
“The Commission found that Affordable Rent doesn’t work for Tower Hamlets residents, with the cost of renting increasing more than local incomes. Households on average incomes in Tower Hamlets are struggling to afford their rent”
Universal Credit rollout problems highlighted
Private and social landlords are pushing the Government to improve how the new Universial Credit system is administered as problems beset its roll-out across the country. Complaints about the performance of staff at
the Department of Work and Pensions and their unwillingness to share information on tenants’ claims with landlords, are leading to predictions of large increases in both rent arrears and evictions of tenants. Bill Irvine who provides training for the
Residential Landlords Association said “Every week I meet and discuss Universal Credit’s implementation and operational nuances, with housing association staff, private landlords and agents. On every occasion, we unveil more and more complexities and anomalies, damaging to rent collection, which, most likely, will create significant rent arrears.” He said landlords are complaining of a
DWP administration that is ill-prepared, operating at arms-length, making schoolboy errors, and generally impeding and frustrating
attempts at improving their communication and performance.
Empathy
DWP staff are accused of lacking an appreciation of the complexity and importance of the “housing costs” element and showing a lack of empathy to tenants and landlord staff alike, when problems are encountered. Recent data sharing regulations which should
have helped to improve communications and relations are not always being adhered to, resulting in no or delayed notifications of tenant awards. Tenant mandates, designed to permit
landlord access to claim information, are not being accepted, undermining staffs’ attempts to assist those tenants experiencing problems and this is putting tenancy sustainment in jeopardy. “The roll-out will prove exceptionally
challenging for social landlords’ staff who will be expected to support tenants through the new
process with little support from DWP or local advice agencies who are already swamped” warned Mr Irvine.
Pledge
The Government’s new Work and Pensions Secretary of State Stephen Crabb MP has reportedly pledged to improve Universal Credit procedures this summer, following concerns from social landlords that they are frequently not informed that their tenants are claiming the benefit. A spokesperson from the DWP said “We have
worked closely with social landlords and will be introducing an improved system to address their concerns.” The changes, due to be introduced in the
summer, include enabling landlords to be informed via email, rather than post. This should reduce the number of ‘lost notifications in the post’.
goal - ensuring that everyone who lives in the borough has somewhere genuinely affordable to call home.”
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM May 2016 | 23
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