Software for the housing and social care sectors
Abritas User Group16th May 2013
Localism Policy Changes One Year On
Charlotte Ellard & Laura Young
Welcome
Introductions – Charlotte Ellard– Laura Young
Aim of the workshop– This workshop is designed to give you feedback on what
other clients have done and approaches taken with regards to localism changes. We will also be covering the impacts of the bedroom tax and highlighting some good practice picked up from other housing authorities.
Introduction
Localism One Year On
Typical changes seen (CE)– High level review of some of the key factors we discussed
last year:-
• Qualification• Ex Service Personnel• Bedroom standard• Other local decisions:-
– LLPS– Hard to lets– Determining priorities between same level
applicants– Employment priority
Clients Approach to System Changes
What Abritas has completed so far (CE)– Total of 85 clients with CBL (different allocation schemes)– 17 in progress– 26 now live
What clients have done – 2 case studies of different approaches (CE)– Review of 2 different approaches completed to date– How best to approach the changes with Abritas
Welfare Reform & Other Changes
Tenants have seen HB reduced by 14% of eligible rent for one extra bedroom & 25% for two or more extra bedroomsKey priority for most of our clientsRecent concessions:-– Foster carers– Tenants with a child in the armed forces
Bedroom Tax (LY)
Welfare Reform & Other Changes
Recent survey conducted by NHF/Ipsos Mori/Cambridge University found:– 84% of HAs expected arrears to double as a result of
welfare reform– 57% say tenants know little/nothing about the changes
So what to do…– YouTube films (Halton Housing)– Partnership working (West Midlands Making best use of
stock partnership)– Reviewing allocation policies & priorities (most
LA’s/HA’s)– Promoting mutual exchanges – “speed dating”
Bedroom Tax – What are landlords doing? (LY)
Welfare Reform & Other Changes
– House Doctoring (Wolverhampton Homes)– Promoting Lodgers (Nottingham City Homes Info
Pack/West Somerset)– Promoting DHP (Solihull CHT administering own “pot”)– Re-designating size of homes (Knowsley HT & Leeds CC)– Reviewing development programme (Halton HT)– Single room rate changes for under 35s (Somerset)
Immigration qualification – Local residence test– Migrants needing to have contributed to the country for
at least 2 years before they will qualify
…Cont. Bedroom Tax – what are landlords doing?
Feedback In the room – show of hands (CE)– How many organisations have undertaken policy
consultations? – How many organisations have engaged Abritas in this
process?– How many are still in the planning stages and envisage
taking policy changes forward in the coming 6 – 12 months
– How many plan on changing the bedroom calculations (or have already)?
– How many will leave the bed calculations as they are and leave applicants to make an informed decision?
Feedback Implementation Process & Timescales (CE)– Consultation process of policy changes– Full analysis and specification (Statement of Works)– Technical review of change requests– Estimates provided & approval sought– Once approved development slot identified
Any questions?
What’s Next (morning session)
1.15pm in Princess Helena restaurant1.45pm Tea & Coffee & Cake2pm reconvene for plenary presentation – Dealing with the Private Rented Sector David Lawrenson - Lettingfocus
Lunch
What’s Next (afternoon session)
3.30pm reconvene for plenary presentation– Coming Soon: New Property Shop (Kevin Millard)
Other workshops still in progress
Final Presentation
Thank You