The
Cabinet had before it a report * from the Head of Housing and
Health on the Downsizing Work Group Report.
The
Cabinet Member for Housing, Assets and Property Services and Deputy
Leader outlined the contents of the report with particular
reference to the following:
- The
Homes PDG established a Downsizing Incentives Working Group to
investigate potential incentives that might encourage tenants to
move from larger properties. The group was tasked with gathering
tenants' perspectives on desirable incentives and providing
recommendations for an incentive scheme.
Discussion took place with regards to:
- The
number of people on bands A to C had increased and large properties
within the Mid Devon area.
- If
there was any work that was around helping people to move on and to
move out of properties and would this opportunity be there for
young families?
RESOLVED that:
That
the Downsizing Incentives be developed by Officers and added as an
addendum to the Allocations Policy with the following
provisions:
- A
maximum financial incentive of £1,000 for tenants downsizing
by one bedroom.
- A
maximum financial incentive of £2,000 for tenants downsizing
by two or more bedrooms.
- Tenants could use the financial incentive to offset any
recharges they might owe on their current property or to cover
costs for moving, new carpets and/or redecoration in their new
property. If no recharges are owed, they would receive the full
incentive amount to use at their discretion.
- A
direct let option for existing tenants to allow MDH to consider
downsizing moves into newly void properties in specific
circumstances in accordance with wider allocation
policy.
- A
communication plan including targeting of hard-to-reach
tenants.
- One-to-one support for completing Devon Home Choice applications
if relevant.
- A
12-month pilot scheme, followed by a review to assess the scheme's
success and determine next steps.
As
recommended by the Downsizing Working Group and the Homes Policy
Development Group.
(Proposed by Cllr S Clist and Seconded by Cllr S
Keable)
Reason for
Decision:
The
proposed incentives would affect the HRA. Any costs associated with
the recommendations in this report that were not covered by savings
elsewhere or existing staffing budgets would need to be drawn from
the HRA Minimum Working Balance.
Note:* Report previously circulated.