Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a presentation to provide an overview of Housing Services.

The Director of Housing submitted a presentation to provide an overview of Housing Services.

Chris Burgin, Director of Housing, Justin Haywood, Head of Service (Housing) and Simon Nicholls, Head of Service (Housing) presented the presentation, and the following points were raised:

·       It was noted that there were 145,000 properties in the city, with 1 in 7 being a council property, generating £80 million in revenue going directly towards housing needs. There were 19,000 council tenants. 

·       The Housing department provided other services such as tackling homelessness or dealing with empty properties.

·       It was noted that there were two budgets available for use to the Housing Department, these are the Housing Revenue Account and the General Fund, which funds the wider services of the department. There were also multiple options to bid for pots of money externally.

·       The Council highlighted the loss of 350-400 properties to the right to buy scheme annually, which may later be available for rent or purchase in the private sector.

·       It was noted that Housing demand was at an all-time high. It was further emphasised that the land available to build new housing to meet demand was insufficient. According to the Local Plan and agreements with local districts, 19,000 properties would be built outside the city boundaries.

·       Due to a growing issue of housing affordability, more applications had been received due to council properties being the most affordable option.

·       Leicester was acknowledged to be the most overcrowded city in the East Midlands.

·       There was increasing concern around evictions or threatened eviction from privately rented properties.

·       It was noted that 5000 approaches had been received from people suffering from or facing potential homelessness. According to the Housing Act, the council was legally required to provide support for those under threat of homelessness and offer temporary or permanent accommodation. Leicester prevent nearly 70% of those that approach the service from becoming homeless.

·       It was noted the collaboration with close partners were key to the success of the strategy and statistics were refreshed and sent out to partners every six months. Closer links had been formed with the private rented sector and housing worked closely alongside the Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services department to monitor and improve housing standards and provide support for tenants and landlords. Over 900 properties had been brought back into use through this work.

·       Only 3% of housing in Leicester is currently affordable to those on low income or benefits.

·       Funding had recently been received to support tenants facing drug and alcohol dependency.

·       Housing noted a 96% tenancy sustainment rate with record low levels of evictions.

·       All tower blocks were being installed with a sprinkler system.

·       It was noted that Housing lead on asylum cases, which had a significant impact on housing demand and services. There were 300 properties that were owner and manager by the Home Office and 1000 asylum seekers currently occupying those properties. There were three asylum overflow hotels, one which had recently been acquired in 2022, and 500 asylum seekers were dispersed between these hotels. It was noted that the number of asylum seekers coming to Leicester City was increasing.

Members of the Commission discussed the presentation and the following additional points were raised:

·       It was estimated that there would be around 30 rough sleepers at any one time although counts weren’t exhaustive. It was later clarified that June 2023 had seen 78 rough sleepers with the number of those who had slept rough averaging around 21. The Council highlighted the strong priorities to keep rough sleepers off the street through specified accommodation, which could sleep 52 at any one time. It was noted that some who are offered the opportunity may decline the offer.

·       Members enquired about the number of empty properties acquired. It was noted that while the figures weren’t available to hand, the figures would be provided to the Commission at a future date.

·       It was noted that Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) were not under the jurisdiction of the Housing Department and instead fell under Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services Director, Sean Atterbury.

·       It was noted that 2% or 400 of the current housing stock were currently void in comparison to 650 previously in disrepair due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was noted that the national guidelines were about 2% to 3%.

·       It was noted that the council worked closely with housing associations, some of which had formed agreements to put their own stock through the council system.

·       It was noted that a set of sheltered housing stock and bungalows had been designated for older residents.

·       The Director promoted the Annual Rough Sleeper street that was conducted annually in November in which officers and members interested spend the night on the streets counting and offering temporary accommodation to those rough sleeping.

·       It was noted that the Dawn Centre was increasing the rooms available by 10, taking the total number to 54 single occupancy rooms. Another 44 single occupancy rooms were noted to be available and a further 15-39 spaces could be made available in the event of emergency overflow, with the former being preferable. There were over 200 other hostel units and services available for other specified groups, such as ex-prisoners and young adults.

·       The Chair requested that more recent data from April 2023 be circulated to Members of the Commission at a later date.

·       It was noted that work was in progress to engage and connect with forums and communities to encourage more women of ethnic minority to join the Women in Construction scheme.

AGREED:

1.    That the report be noted

2.    That more recent data from April 2023 be circulated to Members of the Commission at a later date.