Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Development - Core Team Manager, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chairman introduced the Core Team Manager, Housing Solutions, Regeneration and Economic Development, Andrew Burnip to give Members an update in relation to the Durham Key Options (DKO) choice based lettings scheme (for copy see file of minutes).

The Core Team Manager reminded Members of the background to the development of DKO and noted the partners involved including: Accent Foundation; Cestria Community Housing Association; Dale and Valley Homes; Derwentside Homes; Durham City Homes; East Durham Homes; Livin; and Teesdale Housing Association.  Councillors learned that, as of December 2014, there were approximately 14,000 applications on the DKO system, with around 12,000 of them being active and the applicants being able to bid, representing a reduction in the overall numbers on the system.  It was added that the reduction was thought to be as a consequence of the new allocations policy which included a need to register annually and limited applicants to 3 refusals of bids.  Members received information relating to the DKO register split by Provider, noting that the Core Team would work to ensure that all Providers were assessing housing need in the same way.  Councillors learned that, at 1 December, there were 5,045 people rehoused (2013/14), the majority being within Band C, 2,056.  The Core Team Manager made reference to the table within the report setting out the number of transfers of social tenants within 2013/14 and highlighted the numbers moving from 2 bedroom properties to 1 bedroom properties.  It was added that the DKO had expanded to now include 54 private sector landlords and Councillors were reminded of the Landlord Accreditation Scheme.

The Chairman thanked the Core Team Manager and asked Members for their questions on the report.

Councillors asked questions in relation to: the number of people registered and allocated to Band E, and whether those people had a realistic chance of being rehoused; whether someone within rented private sector housing would be allocated to Band E; and whether some people that had previously had problems with anti-social behaviour or had temporarily had to move into a private sector property were falling into a “sump” and being trapped in the private rented sector, unable to access public sector housing.  

The Core Team Manager explained that the numbers of people within Band E historically were people who may have had their name on the “housing list” for a “rainy day”, however, the allocations policy now has annual registration, though individuals had the right to apply to DKO and to have their housing need assessed.  Members noted figures as regards rehousing per band could be provided and that Band E had some use in case of hard to let properties.  It was noted that if an individual was in private sector housing they could be assessed as Band E if their current property was meeting their housing needs.  Councillors noted that all cases of individuals were assessed on their own merits, and individuals circumstances were taken into account accordingly. 

Resolved:

(i)          That the report be noted.

(ii)         That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive a further update report at a future meeting of the Committee.