Agenda item
SOCIAL HOUSING GREEN PAPER
Presented by Mark Baigent, Interim Divisional Director Housing & Regeneration.
The Social Housing Green Paper published for consultation on the 14 August 2018 is the government vision for a new deal for social housing. The Committee will receive a presentation outlining government proposals through 5 of the key priorities: 1. Decent homes, 2. Effective resolution of complaints, 3. Strengthening regulation and empowering residents, 4. Tackling stigma and celebrating communities, 5. Housing supply and ownership. The committee is to comment on proposals.
(18:45-19:05)
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from Mark Baigent, Interim Divisional Director of Housing, on the Social Housing Green Paper.
Questions from Members:
- Is there any way for the Council to collate the individual responses to the consultation from other registered providers and provide a summary for the committee?
- How will registered providers engage with residents on the Green Paper?
Tower Hamlets Housing Forum (THHF) regularly speaks at this committee and is the link to the wider registered providers. THHF had their AGM earlier in the day and the Green Paper was discussed at the meeting. It is the responsibility of each registered provider (RP) to engage with their residents; this is not something the Council can enforce RPs to do. The value of the council collating consultation from wider providers was questioned considering THHF’s role.
- What is the Council doing to build more social rented homes?
- Councillors were asked about their views on the designated person element to the complaints process.
- BME groups are overrepresented on the social housing register, what engagement work is being done to keep them updated, especially those with language barriers?
The Mayor has pledged to build one thousand new homes over the next four years and a thousand in the pipeline beyond that. The Council are delivering social rents and living rents through both the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Special Purpose Vehicle. The Council is bidding for funds from the GLA and if successful more will be delivered through the HRA.
With regard to housing redress, Members said it was clear how to contact the ombudsman on the website. Residents were encouraged to apply to the ombudsman without having to wait the eight weeks for the Council’s Designated Officer to respond. The Members Support Team at the Council was said to be helpful in providing advice on the issue.
The Council had not organised a specific event on the Green Paper but it had engaged with resident groups and officers had attended community events to raise awareness about it. The Council provides interpreters and translated documents for those who do not understand English. It was noted that the staffing at Tower Hamlets Homes was reflective of the diversity of the borough.
- Can we get an update on the right to buy?
- With regard to the affordable homes, will they be of the same standard as the other tenures? We have seen cases where the interior quality tends to be of a lower standard for affordable homes.
Right to buy was introduced as a voluntary scheme for housing associations. It is being piloted in the West Midlands, however officers advised that it was unlikely that the scheme would be brought to Tower Hamlets. The government have dropped the idea that councils should pay for right to buy with void properties.
Interiors were a planning decision. The Council has a ten year blind policy on finishing which means the type of tenure would not be identifiable from the outside of the property.
- Funding for new homes linked to league tables, any comment on this?
Officers were not convinced that comparing league tables was the best way to decide who gets to build a scheme. They said it was best to assess the RP on their ability to deliver something that provides most benefit to the community. It was also pointed out that in some cases smaller RPs may have high satisfaction rates but may lack the financial stability to bid for very large schemes.
- How is the Council managing fire safety for housing association stock such as the New Festival Quarter in Lansbury? It appears to have 24 hour security guards in place. Why?
The New Festival Quarter is privately owned, although part of it has been leased by an RP. Private developers are responsible for their own fire safety and the majority of them are claiming insurance to cover fire safety. Whilst the insurance claims are being resolved the site will be guarded by security.
Where the RP owns the building there is a £400 million government grant they could access to cover fire safety.
RESOLVED:
- To note the presentation.
Supporting documents:
- Social Housing Green Paper, item 4.1 PDF 245 KB
- App 1 - SHGP Consultation response template, item 4.1 PDF 153 KB
- App 2 - Social housing regulation call fore evidemce Consultation response template, item 4.1 PDF 61 KB