Agenda item
HOUSING IN TOWER HAMLETS - UNDERSTANDING THE KEY CHALLENGES
Minutes:
Mark Baigent, Interim Head of Strategy Regeneration Sustainability and Housing Options, gave a presentation which provided Members with an update on the 2016/21 Housing Strategy, the challenges faced and how the Council were responding. [Slides circulated]
Mr Baigent then took questions from Members on the following:
Members asked what communication had been undertaken to inform residents of the contents of the Housing Strategy. On the subject of passing of tenancies after the death of a family member they pointed out that, in some cases, there could be a grandparent, parent and children in one house and it was unclear what would happen to the other residents if the main tenant died. The Chair pointed out that new legislation referred to new tenancies and not existing ones. Mr Baigent stated that the regulations had not yet been released. He confirmed that the new regulations would be subject to consultation and that would be the time to ask such questions. Councillor Islam highlighted the impact of the Landlords and Tenants Act. He said there had been communication and succession planning and that there were cases where the relevant Housing Manager had made arrangements for a resident whose mother, the main tenant, had passed away to ensure they did not lose their home.
Members also stated that there was a lack of understanding of what exactly constitutes a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). They impressed that the rules around HMO were made clearer and communicated properly. Mr Baigent responded by referring to a HMO licensing scheme which had been introduced. He added that they were looking into the prospect of additional licensing. He confirmed that officers were taking the issue very seriously as much of the homelessness in the borough was as a result of private landlord evictions. Councillor Islam referred to the fact that a digital licensing scheme was currently being consulted on.
Members then asked whether there was a budget for the better care fund. Mr Baigent confirmed that he would send a written response to the Member.
Members also suggested that domestic violence in hostels was an important subject and should have been listed as one of the key challenges. Mr Baigent confirmed that it would be in the Strategy.
Members stated that affordable housing was a significant issue and that there was a real risk that many individuals could not pay their rent in homes that were considered to be affordable. Members referred to the challenge for young people in relation to housing and suggested that officers scrutinise the issue.
Members referred to the issue of benefit caps and asked whether there were any incentives to give those subject to the caps support. Mr Baigent confirmed that the Mayor had set aside budgets to address the issue and that officers were currently looking on how to apply those budgets. He confirmed that the Council were in the process of ascertaining those affected by the benefit caps and stated that Housing Associations needed to consider whether their tenants could afford to pay their rent.
Members asked for clarification on what “Local Housing Companies” were. Mr Baigent explained that it was proposed to create two new organisations:
Seahorse Homes Ltd – this company would have no ownership of property. Mr Baigent stated that options for this company were currently being explored, however said that the proposed company would need to meet the requirements of new legislation. He confirmed that legal advice was currently being sought.
Mulberry Housing Society – Mr Baigent stated that this company did not yet exist. He confirmed that it would be a charity organisation and that they had recruited those that would sit on the Board. He confirmed that the Council would be funding the organisation and that all of its housing would be “affordable”.
Mr Baigent confirmed that he would circulate a presentation on the set up of two abovementioned companies, which had previously been delivered to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to all Members of the Sub-Committee.
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