Agenda item

Marianne Upton, Tenancy Services Manager:

a)    presented the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee with an update on the initial 6-month pilot of the Downsizing Policy

b)    stated that the original policy was written and agreed in 2023 with a view to helping tenants receive Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) to meet the shortfall in their rent due to being impacted by the spare room subsidy

c)    highlighted that the original budget for the 6-month pilot was £80,000 and it was anticipated that this could help up to 20 tenants downsize to a more suitable property. The 6-month pilot ended in June 2024

d)    explained that the LTP requested a review into the process and had been involved in this area of work. The Panel agreed to carry out a mini scrutiny exercise on the current policy and the outcomes, carry out benchmarking exercises against schemes that other housing providers operated and be involved fully in reviewing the scheme to make recommendations about the future of the scheme and improvements.

e)    referred to Appendix 1 of her report stating the current policy and its outcomes

f)      concluded that the next steps were for the panel to make proposals for any improvements to the policy, alongside proposals from officers involved in the process and co-produce an updated policy if it was recommended to continue

g)    welcomed members comments and questions

Question: How was the Policy going to be publicised?

Response: If taken forward, it would be advertised widely through internal communications. Officers were gathering more up to date contact details and the initial batch of people would receive letters. All Housing Officers were aware of what to do and were working closely with housing solutions to complete a downsizing application.

Question: What was the timescale of review before the decision making took place?

Response: It depended on the review of the scheme. It was beneficial to wait until the 5 had been completed to know the exact costs but ideally, as soon as possible.

Question: Would feedback be provided by the people involved?

Response: Yes, LTP members had been welcomed to provide feedback on behalf of the public.

Question: In relation to the eligibility of the scheme, why had low demand properties such as maisonettes and flats not been included?

Response: It wasn’t part of the initial criteria, but it could be added in at a later date.

In addition to the above, Daren Turner, Director of Housing and Investment advised the Committee that the policy could be referred to as the Right Size Policy rather than Downsizing Policy. The key to the policy was maximising stock and ensuring that one move led to 4 or 5 other moves. Once the review had taken place, the scheme would be looked at from a wider perspective and how it could be used more effectively on all Housing stock.

Question: In relation to the 5 cases outstanding following the 6-month pilot, how would the scheme work in the future? How were arrears cleared?

Response: Incentive payments would be considered to look at debts owed. Officers would be in a better position to advise once cases were complete and agreed to set up a working group to discuss the outcomes once they had been decided.

Question: Who would manage the scheme going forward?

Response: The Tenancy Services Team were the lead on it.

Question: In relation to properties that weren’t approved long term, was there reconsideration for the same person if they had a change in circumstance?

Response: Yes, it would be a consideration.

RESOLVED that:

1.    A working group be set up to update the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee on the outcomes of the 5 outstanding properties following the 6-month pilot scheme, once completed.

2.    The report be noted with thanks.