Council Changes Section 106 And Stock Transfer Rules

A London council has agreed to remove Section 106 and stock transfer rules on a housing association-owned block that ensured it remained as over-50s accommodation only. Brent Council’s cabinet has decided to tweak restrictions on the John Barker Court development to allow Network Homes to let or sell homes at the site to people of all ages. A report to the cabinet claimed that the restrictions “are preventing the council from being able to nominate people on the waiting list who are in need of housing, regardless of their age”. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/council-changes-section-106-and-stock-transfer-rules-at-former-sheltered-housing-block-64499

Council Urges Ban On Housing Benefit Being Paid To Rogue Landlords

A London council that banned a rogue landlord and then directly paid him more than £500,000 in housing benefit has called on the government to legislate to prevent local authorities from making similar payments in the future. Brent made repeated payments of taxpayers’ money to Bernard McGowan, who has a £30m property empire and failed the council’s “fit and proper” test in 2015. The decision against McGowan, who was convicted six times under the Housing Act between 2014 and 2017, meant the landlord was barred from directly renting out houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) across Brent, or any sort of home in eight of the borough’s wards where landlords specifically require a licence. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/jan/21/council-ban-housing-benefit-rogue-landlords-brent-bernard-mcgowan

Future Of Brent’s Council Housing To Be Discussed

A report seeking approval to begin a 12 week consultation with residents regarding the future management of Brent's housing will be discussed by Brent Council later this month. Housing management services for Brent are currently delivered by Brent Housing Partnership (BHP), an arm's length management organisation (ALMO) which was set-up in by the Council in 2002. In June, Cabinet commissioned a review of the current arrangements. The review was also a response to concerns with BHP's performance. The options considered were to continue with a reformed BHP, to bring housing management back under direct council control, or to set up a partnership with another housing provider. The recommendation being presented to Cabinet is to bring the service back in-house so it is directly under the council's control. Read more on the Brent Housing Partnership website.

Council Signs 10-Year Agreement with ALMO

Brent Council has signed a 10-year management deal with its arms' length management organisation (ALMO), Brent Housing Partnership (BHP). The deal will see BHP and the council develop a closer working relationship for the benefit of Brent residents and to address the future of housing in the borough. Read more on 24dash.

Councils Attach Strings to Discretionary Housing Payments

Following the news that Brent Council is using its Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) budget to pay large families to move out of the borough, comes more examples of how the budget is increasingly being used for non-traditional spending.  DHP schemes have until now been largely employed to award temporary top ups to benefit recipients experiencing short-term financial difficulties. Now Milton Keynes Council and Kirklees Metropolitan Council have also attached strings to discretionary housing payments under set circumstances. Both will only award DHPs to residents with debt if they agree to seek advice on how to manage their money.  In Milton Keynes, there is an expectation that customers take reasonable steps to help themselves by working with third party agencies such as CAB to improve their financial and budgeting arrangements. Under Kirklees policy, discretionary housing payments to residents in ‘multiple debt’ situations will only be awarded ‘once the customer has attended a meeting with a debt advice professional.’  Read more on the Local Government Chronicle website.

Benefit Claimants Offered £6,500 to Move Out

Brent LBC will offer 150 benefit recipients with large families a one-off payment of £6,500 to move out of the borough, under a proposed £1m ‘new start’ scheme for those hit hard by welfare cuts.  In exchange for the payment, participants must accept they will not qualify for temporary accommodation in the borough for two years should they decide to return.  The intention is to ‘to keep their family together and make a new start in a more affordable area,’ it says.  ‘New start’ is being funded through the government’s £155m ‘discretionary housing payment’ budget.  Read more on the Local Government Chronicle website.

Council to Consult On the Future of Its ALMO

Brent Council's Executive has agreed to consult local residents on future arrangements for ownership, investment and management of its housing stock. In light of changes to the funding regime for council housing, an independent review was commissioned earlier this year by Brent in order to consider options for the future of its housing stock which is currently managed by Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) - the Council's ALMO. At its July meeting, the Council's Executive agreed the authority should retain its housing stock and consult residents on a new 'optimised ALMO' model of housing management run by the ALMO. The new model would build on the strengths of BHP’s existing approach, and specifically the emphasis that BHP place on resident engagement. Read more on the Brent Council website.