An update on the implementation of Universal Credit (UC) in Tower Hamlets from Tower Hamlets Homes, Tower Hamlets Housing Forum and Tower Hamlets Council.

19:35-20:25 (50 mins)

The Committee received a presentation from Beverley Greenidge, Head of Neighbourhoods-Tower Hamlets Homes, on Universal Credit.

In response to Member questions the following points were made:

• Support officers were available to provide advice on maximising benefits or Universal Credit.
• It was noted that the Universal Credit online application was complicated and not user friendly to older people and people who did not speak English as a first language. 
• There was a Digital Inclusion work stream at THH that was designed to support and enable older people to fill in the online form. However it was recognised that capacity was an issue and THH would require the support of external agencies such as the Job Centre to also support people with IT.
• ACTION: for Beverley Greenidge to circulate figures on the actual number of households in rent arrears.

The Committee received a presentation from Sandra Fawcett Chair of Tower Hamlets Housing Forum on Universal Credit.

In response to Member questions the following points were made:

• Alternative payment arrangements varied depending on the landlord. With regard to discretionary housing payments such as bedroom tax, RPs usually looked to rehouse or pay the shortfall via an alternative arrangement.
• Officers from Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) had established the following support services regarding universal credit:
• • They had recruited a tenancy officer to assist people to make Universal Credit and DHP claims.
  • Worked in partnership with Workpath to deliver advice surgeries.
  • Project Leap with the Bromley by Bow Centre. The projects helped people maximise their income to help pay their rent.
  • 7 community centres to help people get job ready, last year they supported over 1000 people with work advice, though not all were THCH residents.
• There were no plans to cut services due to UC. The main objective for RPs was to mitigate and minimise risk, support residents and collect rent.
• It was noted there would be a vote in parliament before the roll out of UC and this would likely take place after July 2019.
• ACTION: Ellie Kershaw to provide the Committee with data on evictions.
• The Committee were assured that residents would not be evicted purely because they had made a UC claim.
• The Chair asked members to email further questions to Sandra Fawcett.

The Committee received the report of Steve Hill – Head of Benefits and Ellie Kershaw –Tackling Poverty Project Manager.

In response to Member questions officers provided the following:

• The Council had created a digital mock-up of the universal credit form to train staff so they could better understand the form and advise people applying for UC.
• Pre-emptive measures - a dashboard was implemented to find people at risk or in crisis.
• The Council had employed a DWP liaison officer who was assisting with complex cases. The officer had participated at a Parliamentary Sub-Committee on impact of UC.
• The Committee recommended that a UC easy guide should be created. 

ACTION: Steve Hill to work with the TH communications team to  produce an easy read UC guide for residents.

The Chair thanked speakers for their presentations.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the presentations.