Agenda item

Sharon Malia, Housing Programmes Manager introduced the report which gave an update on work being undertaken by the Strategic Housing Service in preventing homelessness in Peterborough.  The report updated members on the activity around homelessness, rough sleeping, the mortgage repossession scheme and rent deposit scheme.  The report focused on the key challenges to housing that the city faced which included:

·         Changes to the local housing allowance and general welfare benefit reforms

·         The end of the transitional arrangements for the A8 nationals as of the first of May

·         The potential demand of university places and the impact on accommodation in the city

·         General social housing reforms proposed by central government

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Observations and questions were raised around the following areas:

·         How many homes are vacant in the City and what is the churn.  Do you think there should be more done to improve the situation?  There were approximately 2000 empty properties across the city with approximately 700 long term (vacant for more than six months). A key focus of the new housing reforms would be to bring empty homes back into use. 

·         Can you give examples of why properties are empty and for so long?  There were many reasons. An example that was being dealt with at the moment was a home where the owner has died, there was no will, and it was currently going through probate.  The solicitors had found a beneficiary but he was a fugitive in America. Some cases could take a long time to resolve.

·         What action is being taken with regard to registration of Private Landlords and ensuring the accommodation is not sub standard.  There was no statutory requirement for landlords to register.  A lot of work had been done around the city with regard to identifying houses of multiple occupation and measures had been introduced to identify the landlords of these properties.  It was hoped that the landlord accreditation scheme would be relaunched and this would help to engage with landlords and identify good landlords.  In the Housing Options service there was a tenant’s relations officer who worked on behalf of the council where landlords were harassing or exploiting their tenants.

·         Councillor Todd congratulated Sarah Hebblethwaite on the excellent work completed with Boarder Control and the homeless.

·         From May 2011 the A8 nationals will have the same rights as the rest of the European Union nationals. Have you made any estimates on the impact this will have.  People would still be dealt with on an individual basis and it would be weather they pass the habitual residency test as to weather they are passported through to welfare benefits.  Those who had worked continuously for a year while registered on the welfare workers registration scheme would probably be eligible.

Members congratulated officers on presenting a comprehensive and informative report.

ACTION AGREED

That a further progress report be brought back to Scrutiny in March 2012.