Council Trials Free Internet For Social Housing Tenants

Social housing tenants at two Leeds tower blocks have been connected to free broadband as part of efforts to combat digital exclusion. The initiative is part of the council’s 100% Digital Leeds programme aimed at improving digital inclusion and bringing positive outcomes including financial savings, reduced isolation, better employment prospects and improved health and wellbeing. The council estimates 25 per cent of its 57,000 social housing residences don’t have permanent access to the internet. With those wishing to claim Universal Credit unable to do so without being online, the council is making it a priority to help get its residents connected. Read more on the Yorkshire Evening Post website.

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Nine Year Wait for One-Bed Property

Council tenants are facing a nine-year wait for a one-bedroom property, the YEP can reveal. Stark figures show around 15,000 residents are currently languishing on waiting lists chasing just 35 available one-bedroom properties in Leeds. More than 4,335 tenants are deemed by Leeds City Council to be under-occupying their homes and in need of one-bedroom properties because they could be subject to the Government’s so-called Bedroom Tax. And the council warned tenants could turn to higher priced private sector rentals to avoid the ‘tax’, which would actually drive up the city’s benefits bills.  Read more on the Yorkshire Evening Post website.

‘Bribe To Buy’ Blast in Homes Crisis

Leeds’s housing boss says council tenants’ right to buy their homes is more a “bribe” to buy - and should be scrapped.  Coun Pete Gruen was speaking as figures obtained by the YEP revealed that the controversial scheme is having a major impact on the city’s overall housing crisis. Experts say a radical overhaul is needed to allow supply of council homes to catch up with demand. The authority has raked in £350m from selling off 10,000 council houses in the last decade – yet it currently has funding to build just 105. Official figures also show that the number of Leeds council tenants using their right to buy has increased in the last year since a maximum 70 per cent discount was introduced, meaning the council is losing its stock faster than it is replacing it. The authority has sold more council homes in the last year than it is planning to build in the next three. Read more on the Yorkshire Evening Post website.