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.

The Director of Housing submitted a report providing an update to Members of the ‘headline’ Housing Register and Lettings data, relating to Leicester City Council’s Housing Register.

The Head of Service for Housing provided an overview of the report, key points to note were as follows:

• The number of households on the register remained relatively unchanged, being at 6200 on the last report and now standing at 6448.
• The number of homeless households remained similar with 35 less households now on the register.
• Social Housing Tenants accounted for 22% of those on the register which was slightly lower than before.
• The register was made up of 3 banding priorities, priority 1 being those with the highest need.
• Those in the most priority need accounted for 28% which was slightly lower this year.
• Band 2 applicants accounted for 32% of those on the register.
• Overcrowding remained the most common reason for joining the register, there had been a 2% reduction in applicants since last year.
• The Easy Move scheme facilitated mutual exchanges and was on track to meet targets.
• Demand for all types of accommodation was high and outnumbered supply.
• The Council also enabled housing associations to let through the Choice based Letting system, this accounted for 29% off all lettings and was an increase of 12% since the last period.
• For adapted accommodation there was no longer a disparity between fully wheelchair-accessible applicants on the housing register and lets achieved, representing a positive improvement.
• Waiting times were higher but there had been some success in this area.
• The highest demand was for property size was for 2 bedroom properties.
• The highest need was in Castle North Evington, the lowest was Knighton and Thurncourt.
• The number of lettings in the last 12 months had decreased by 6% but numbers were affected by large acquisitions.
• 89% of properties went to band 1, 8% to band 2 and 3% to band 3.
• 64% of all lettings were for those who were homeless or at risk.
• New parks and Belgrave had seen the most lettings.
• Average waiting times had remained largely consistent but had increased for band 1.

In response to member questions and discussion, the following was noted:

• Numbers for those in oversized properties could be provided to the commission.
• A summary of the Housing policy would be shared with the Tennant Scrutiny Panel.
• Those unable to apply online could make contact by the telephone to receive assistance to register.
• An auto-bid system was in place for those who did not have capacity to bid.
• Information on care leaver banding (for those from outside of the city) would be circulated to the commission, it was noted that care leavers from the City were allocated to the highest banding.
• Regarding bungalow allocation, the Local Lettings Policies scheme ensured that lettings were allocated in a fair, transparent an equitable manner. Where a bungalow was allocated to a tenant under 60 years of age, full consideration would have been given.
• Band changes occurred due to change of circumstance. Within each band, priority increased over time, giving applicants a greater chance of moving up the list; those at the top had typically been waiting the longest.
• The number of lets given to band 2 had reduced. Those in band 3, were often advised about going into private accommodation, whilst retaining their banding. A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) was available.
• The Council participated in a national scheme that enabled tenants to Exchange  their accommodation with other tenants from other local authorities.

AGREED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account.

3)    Numbers for those in oversized properties could be provided to the commission.

4)    Details on the Easymove House exchange scheme would be shared with the commission.

5)    The proportion of care leavers from other local authorities coming to LCC would be shared with the commission.

6)    A summary of the Housing policy would be shared with the Tennant Scrutiny Panel.