Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 15/10/2012, 19.00 - Meetings ...

supportive of, was not being given sufficient profile, given that they collectively own and manage as muchaffordable housing as the Council. In a similar vein, some housing associations considered the strategy to be‘council-centric’ and not sufficiently partnership focused.Page 517On the Housing Allocation Scheme, there were concerns from housing associations that the move towardsmore direct lettings reduces the element of choice for applicants and may in practice be more time-consuming tooperate. There was a general concern from disabilities organisations that the housing needs of their client groupsmight be marginalised. There were additional concerns about how the community contribution mechanism mightwork in practice for people who may not be able to spend time volunteering or access sustainable employment.Concern was also expressed about how the Accessible Housing Register (which is to be retained) will work withthe new Assisted Choice approach, replacing the current Choice Based Letting scheme. Homelessnessorganisations expressed concern that their client groups needs may be marginalised, although there was some ‘inprinciple’ support for the overall strategic approach. Concerns were expressed about how ex-offenders and thefairness of the proposal for 2 year tenancies for this and other client groups, such as 18-25 year olds. There was abroader issue of how the new Scheme could reduce ‘silting up’ of supported housing, where vulnerablehouseholds were reluctant to ‘move on’ to other permanent accommodation. However, a number of respondentswere broadly supportive of the additional priority being given to community contribution groups, e.g, workinghouseholds, ex-armed services personnel, and also recognised that the current choice based lettings schemewas not flexible enough to meet disabled people’s needs.On the Tenancy Strategy, housing associations (described as Private Registered Providers in the strategydocuments) were clear that they would have regard to the strategy on fixed term tenancy matters. However, theywere generally reluctant to change their approach based on the Council’s adopted position. Whilst many areissuing fixed term tenancies (and have been able to for some time), they are generally of the view that differinglocal authority positions on fixed term tenancies make it difficult for them to adopt a single position. An issue ofcontention was also the fairness of granting 2 year fixed term tenancies for 18-25 year olds and to a lesserdegree, people who had history of anti social behaviour, tenancy fraud, etc.On the Homelessness Strategy, the general concern was about how sustainable an option the private rentedsector would be to meet homeless people’s needs, whether within the borough or outside it. The potential breakup of friend and family networks was also highlighted. This change would need to be monitored to assess itsimpacts. There was also a concern that the needs of rough sleepers weren’t sufficiently profiled.Mayor of London’s Housing StrategyTool and Guidance updated for new PSED from 05.04.2011