Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Housing & Homelessness Lead

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note of the Housing and Homelessness Lead which provided an update following the 12–18- month review report of the Coventry Homefinder Policy and accompanying IT system following their implementation in September 2021. The new scheme means that only those with an assessed housing need qualify to join the housing register.

The Coventry Homefinder Policy has five key objectives:

·  Operate within the legal framework

·  Be realistic, simple, and transparent

·  Make best use of housing stock

·  Lettings properties quickly

·  Create balanced and sustainable communities

At the point that the new policy was introduced, the service committed to carrying out a review of the impact and effectiveness of both the new policy and the operation of the new IT system after both 6 and 12 months. This review report included data from both 12 and 18 months of operation.

The review examined feedback from partners of the scheme, including Registered Housing Providers that operate within Coventry, and representatives from Coventry Advice Agencies. The review evaluated each objective that the policy aims to achieve, recognised achievements, and addressed any issues that have been raised by partners for further development of the scheme.

An Equalities Impact Assessment was carried out alongside the review, to measure and mitigate against any impact that the policy has had on particular groups within the City.

The report outlined the current position of the scheme and the role that it has had in the first 18 months on those requiring social housing in Coventry and the subsequent impact that is linked to those owed duties by the statutory homelessness service. The report also outlined the current needs of those who are presently on the housing register and gives a breakdown of numbers in each key priority group who are able to bid for available properties on the register.

The report also demonstrated both the supply and demand of social housing within the City and the number of properties that have come available for letting within the first 18 months of the scheme being active. It also outlined the current level of need that is presently on the housing register and gave a breakdown of those in each priority band and the reasons for their housing need.

The Housing and Homelessness team presented the Board with data regarding the first 18 months of the scheme and the wider context surrounding social housing supply and demand.

The Members asked questions and received responses on a number of matters including:

·  Transparency and expectations for applicants on the scheme.

·  Data regarding those waiting for accommodation.

·  Refugee homefinders and Ukrainian refugees on the scheme.

·  Accommodation allocations received from housing associations including Citizen Housing and Midland Heart.

·  Temporary accommodation both within and outside of the city, with prioritisation of finding temporary accommodation within the city for applicants.

·  The crisis situation of social housing and the need for new social housing to be built.

·  Accommodation prioritisation for those with a connection to the city.

·  Accommodation repossessions with the context of rising mortgage interest rates and the cost-of-living crisis.

·  Third party registration on the scheme.

·  Accommodation stock for applicants with disabilities and mobility issues.

·  Cost of living mortgage support and one-off payments to landlords.

·  Application signposting and administration.

·  The extreme shortage of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties on the scheme.

·  The prioritisation and possible motivators to encourage applicants to downsize and free up space for larger families requiring more bedrooms.

·  Targeted contact to better ascertain those requiring the appropriate prioritisation.

Councillor D Welsh (Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities) alongside the Board recognised, commended and thanked the Housing and Homelessness team for attending the meeting, sharing their successes and challenges of the Homefinder Allocations scheme, and for their continued work in the difficult environment of citywide social housing.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board:

1.  Note the information and key findings detailed within the report.

2.  Identify any further recommendations for the Cabinet Member in respect of the operation of the Homefinder Policy.