Housing Possession Mediation Service

 In February 2021, a new mediation pilot was introduced as part of the current court process for housing possession cases. The mediation pilot is free to use for landlords and tenants involved in a housing possession court case and helps resolve cases without the need for a face to face court hearing. You work with a trained, neutral mediator, independent from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, who will help you identify issues and work to resolve them. All parties must agree on the outcome and feel they have reached an acceptable resolution. Read more on the GovUK website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-possession-mediation-service/housing-possession-mediation-service

Youth Homelessness Figure Eight Times Higher Than Government Admits

The full extent of youth homelessness is more than eight times higher than the Government admits, according to a new report. Some 136,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 in England and Wales sought emergency housing in the past year. In stark contrast, only 16,000 young people were officially classed as “statutory homeless” – which would mean councils had a legal duty to house them. Worryingly, some 30,000 of those seeking help were turned away with little if any support. And as many as 90,000 were only offered support such as family mediation, to help them stay at home, or debt advice. This means the vast majority of those going for help are not getting the full assistance they’d be entitled to if they were officially accepted as being homeless. Download the report from the Centrepoint website.

Board Members Quit ALMO After Row

A row between a Somerset ALMO and a tenants’ group has led to the resignation of six board members. The relationship between the Homes in Sedgemoor board and Sedgemoor Tenants’ Voice (STV) broke down earlier this year over the extent of the group’s remit as a consultative group within the organisation.  Following unsuccessful attempts at third-party mediation, the board passed a vote of no confidence in STV on September 3. But a further dispute at the meeting over perceived interference by the district council resulted in the resignation of six of the board’s 10 members, including chair Lynda Price. This means the board is currently unable to function under the terms of its constitution, meaning all policy decisions are on hold. Read more on Inside Housing.