Welfare Reform Criticised As Social Housing Changes Approved

Government welfare reform came under fire as a council approved changes to its letting policy for social housing. Durham County Council has approved a raft of changes to its letting policy which aim to simplify the process of applying for new homes. The review of the system, which is used by County Durham’s housing associations, was carried out in response to impending changes to housing benefit. Alterations include changing the banding system to have fewer categories and changing the policy on rent arrears. Now, all arrears will be considered when deciding whether someone is an “acceptable tenant”. Previously it was set at eight weeks of arrears. Read more on the Northern Echo website.

Tenants Vote Yes To Housing Transfer

Durham County Council tenants have voted in favour of transferring the ownership and management of their homes to Dale & Valley Homes, Durham City Homes and East Durham Homes as part of the new County Durham Housing Group. 82% of those who took part in a confidential ballot supported the transfer proposal, with 51% of tenants using their vote. The single ballot of almost 22,000 tenants was run independently from the council by Electoral Reform Services Limited.  Read more on the Durham County Council website.

Cabinet Agrees To Proceed With Tenant Vote in Durham

Durham County Council’s Cabinet has given its approval to carry out a ballot of secure and introductory tenants on the future management and ownership of their home.Following extensive consultation, Cabinet took the decision to ask almost 22,000 secure and introductory tenants to vote on whether they would like the council to remain as their landlord or transfer ownership of their home to their current housing services provider. In the coming weeks tenants will be asked whether they agree with the council’s proposal to transfer the ownership of their home via the County Durham Housing Group Limited to Dale & Valley Homes (an ALMO) in the west of the county; Durham City Homes in the city centre and surrounding areas; and East Durham Homes (an ALMO) in the east, making each of these organisations local landlords. Read more on the Housingnet website.

Council to Consider Homesteading Scheme for Empty Homes

Durham County Council is considering plans to offer long-term empty homes for sale at discounted prices. It has developed the ‘homesteading’ scheme, which will see two and three-bedroom homes for sale from as little as £18,000, in partnership with local housing providers. Members of the authority’s cabinet will be asked to agree to give the plans the go-ahead when they meet next week. If approved, the scheme would be introduced on a pilot basis, with 14 council-owned homes being offered for sale. The initiative could also see buyers offered an interest-free loan of up to £15,000 to carry out repairs and improvements. Read more on the Housing Excellence website.

Council Consider Free Transfer of Land for Homes

Durham Council is considering giving land for nearly 40 homes to a housing association free of charge. Cabinet members will be asked to approve a proposal to give land at Ushaw Moor and Brandon to Vela Group. The sites currently contain sheltered housing, however a decision was made to close these facilities in November 2010, due to the cost of bringing the 1970’s complexes up to modern standards. Vela Group has been offered £1.3 million in HCA funding to develop 36 apartments, and two bungalows across the two sites, but the deal is conditional on the council handing over the land. Read more on the Durham County Council website.