Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a report detailing the support offered and provided by Leicester City Council housing services to its tenants, to help sustain and maintain their tenancies.

The Director of Housing introduced the item, highlighting the role of the Housing Revenue Account to fund services that provide support to tenants who live in council properties to enjoy their lives.

The Head of Service presented the report, and it was noted that:

·       There are around nineteen thousand council tenancies in the city and a key responsibility as a social landlord is to provide support to tenants and prevent homelessness where possible as set out in a national tenancy standard which is monitored by the ombudsman and housing regulator.

·       More residents are being identified with complex needs although not all council tenants require the support from services as they may be able to manage independently or have a support network. This enables services to be targeted to tenants.

·       Support is provided to tenants by officers from various teams, including homelessness, tenancy management, support for tenants and residents (STAR), and income management.

·       A homelessness assessment will be carried out for tenants who present as homeless or at risk of homeless and enable officers to identify whether an individual may require support. Risk assessments and sensitive information can be considered to establish whether an individual may need a direct let to ensure suitable accommodation to settle and sustain their tenancy and meet their needs.

·       The housing service undertake visits within six weeks of a tenant moving into a property and can identify whether tenancy support is required. Referrals for support can also be made by officers throughout the tenancy, such as when visiting a property to complete a repair. Other organisations such as the police or health services may identify needs. Housing officers usually provide initial support and oversee the case to identify the appropriate support services are provided to the tenant, although not all tenants are willing to receive support and there may be pressures in services that delay support.

·       Welfare visits are undertaken by housing officers, 1,500 visits were conducted between April 2022-23. Tenants identified to require support will be supported by STAR to ensure individuals are able to build confidence in order to sustain their tenancy and prevent homelessness. Between April 2022-23, over one thousand referrals were received and STAR supported 987 cases.

·       STAR AMAL support refugees, including Syrian, Afghan and Ukrainian individuals.

·       Funding has been secured for a drug and alcohol team and trainer accommodation will be provided to support individuals to build life skills and confidence to sustain their own tenancy. A consistent supported housing offer is also being developed with the appointment of a supported housing manager.

·       The income management team includes eight rent advisors to support vulnerable tenants. Last year the team received 938 referrals – much higher than previously which correlated to the cost-of-living crisis. The team proactively work with tenants to collect rent through repayment plans and identify eligible benefits to maximise income for tenants. Rent arrears last year reduced by £206k.

The Commission endorsed the good work of tenancy support service. In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       Tenants may receive support from a temporary accommodation officer or a transitions worker whilst they are homeless but if longer-term support is required their case will be passed to the STAR team when resource is available.

·       There are over 30 officers within the STAR team and additional officers supporting refugees. Support is targeted to tenants with the most needs - officers currently have around 20cases each but additional supported housing is being explored to allow tenants to be appropriately supported and enable STAR officers to support other residents.

·       The STAR team is funded through the HRA whereas the STAR AMAL team is funded by the general fund or government grants. Temporary accommodation officers primarily support homeless services and therefore funded by the general fund.

·       Five teams operate across the city within STAR and officers utilise multi-use centres such as Beaumont Leys Library.

·       There are pressures across the housing division including the HRA and other services such as homelessness. An uplift to support homelessness is proposed and is due to be discussed at Overview Select Committee on Thursday 11 January.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.