Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a report providing an update to Members of the ‘headline’ Housing Register and Lettings data, relating to Leicester City Council’s Housing Register for Q1 and Q2 2023/24 .

The Director of Housing introduced the item, noting that an update is provided every quarter to the commission and all members regarding the current position of the housing register, the number of lets and wait times incurred. It was highlighted that the overall position continues to worsen, and additional pressures are expected given homelessness challenges in the city.

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

·       The number of applications on the housing register has increased by 7% since the previous update. The number of lets and new applicants to the register usually balances, the number of lets has increased but new applicants has also increased due to the housing crisis.

·       Applicants across all bands have grown with the increase in applicants and band 1 has grown by 2%. The primary reason for joining the register has not changed with overcrowding and homelessness the main reasons.

·       Demand for type and size of property has not changed with houses the higher demand to flats or maisonettes. 2bedroom properties is demanded most followed closely by 3bedroom properties. The highest demand is for the east of the city, including Belgrave, North Evington, Wycliffe and Stoneygate but Troon and Eyres Monsell have the highest need with applicants waiting in band 1.

·       Overall lettings increased by 5% over the last six months but 53 additional nominations to housing associations. The number of council owned available stock fell by 28.

·       The housing division continue to utilise the acquisitions programme to increase available housing stock in addition to strengthening available private rented sector schemes for alternative solutions. The division support residents to bridge the gap to make private rented sector housing affordable whilst retaining their banding priority if active.

·       Waiting times for band 1 increased by 4months for applicants seeking 2 or 3-bedroom properties but waiting times reduced or remained the same for bungalows and 1-bedroom properties. On average 1-bedroom property waits is between 3-6 months and families may be waiting between 12-18month. Band 2 waiting times increased for family accommodation but reduced for 1-bedroom properties and bungalows.

·       Wait times for adapted houses reduced due to an increase of supply of fully wheelchair accessible properties and a proactive approach with housing working closely with occupational therapists to assess individual needs. The adapt-to-let initiative enables adaptable properties to be let and adapted to meet the tenants needs.

·       27% of lettings over the 6month period were direct allocation which is consistent with previous reports.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       Demand for wheelchair adapted housing has been higher than supply for some time which instigated the adapt to let work programme that enables adaptable properties to be offered to applicants on the housing register and adapted to meet the needs. It was agreed that information would be shared with the commission relating to wheelchair adapted property data.

·       Private rented schemes enable the service to work with landlords and perspective tenants to provide alternative housing solutions to residents on the housing register. Four tiers are available to landlords offering a different level of service, including platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. Around 120 properties were utilised in the private rented sector last year and increased to 204 this year. It was agreed that further details would be circulated regarding the schemes and number of landlords the service work with.

·       Private rented schemes have eligibility requirements, but if eligible residents are likely to secure a property quicker than waiting on the housing register. There is an expectation that individuals source potential accommodation and share the details with the housing service to liaise with the landlord to secure a tenancy.

·       The housing division is allocated funding to award discretionary housing payments to bridge the gap between the local housing allowance (LHA) and rent to support residents to source accommodation in the private rented sector. The amount of support is tiered depending on need with up to LHA+35% for those with higher need and LHA+20% for lower housing need. Applicants retain their position on the housing register if they are active whilst support is being provided in the private rented sector as this is not perceived to be a long-term solution.

·       Demand on the housing register is highest for 2bedroom properties, followed closely by 3bedroom properties. National bedroom standard criteria is followed to identify bedroom need for applicants.

·       The housing register is able to respond to demand and level of need but does not account for urgency of need. Direct allocations form part of the housing allocations policy and enable complexity and urgency of an application to be considered. Around 80% of direct lets for families is to prevent homelessness.

·       Applicants can refuse three properties before removal from the housing register. Homelessness legislation is different, and refusal of a suitable property could cease the authority’s duty and impact banding priority.

·       Tenants can mutually exchange properties but will depend on criteria required to be met to successfully proceed.

·       Advice is provided to applicants when they join the housing register about alternative solutions and average wait times which is updated on the website. It was agreed that consideration be given to the communication to applicants to share information whilst managing expectations.

The Chair invited the representative from the tenants and leaseholders forum to comment on the discussion and it was noted that management cases are included in the band 1 criteria for the housing register.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.

·       Additional information be circulated to Members.

·       Consideration be given to communication with applicants on the housing register.