The Housing Strategy & Quality Manager presented the report which outlined the progress so far with the Sheltered Housing Decommissioning programme and plans for the remainder of the programme.  Members heard that there were three options for empty properties as they arose: allocation to general needs tenants, for empty properties to remain empty until the end of the decommissioning process, and allocation to general needs tenants in a sensitive manner such as only to tenants aged 50 and above.

Councillor Redsell thanked the Housing Strategy & Quality Manager for her report and added that she could understand letting empty properties to over 50s.  She added that young people with drug issues and similar caused immense stress to elderly residents and mixing tenants did not always work.  She reiterated she could see it working with general needs tenants over the age of 50, or perhaps with younger, single tenants who were working might prove to be better.  She was concerned at the risk of hurting residents who opted to stay in their property with introducing tenants with issues such as drug abuse, which was a big problem within the Borough.

The Housing Tenant Representative referred to comments surrounding the decommissioning of the scheme in Alexandra Road, Tilbury and asked when the process would begin.  She also asked whether residents had been notified.  Members were informed that the process had not yet begun, and the reality was the programme was only just moving into phase two so residents had not yet been advised of the date. 

The Housing Tenant Representative agreed with the proposal to allocate properties as they emptied to over 50s, but questioned if the process would take a period of time whether it would mean that over 50s might jump the queue on the waiting list for accommodation.  She also asked whether the properties would always be for residents over 50 or if younger residents would follow.  The Housing Strategy & Quality Manager reminded the Committee that once the Sheltered Housing Decommissioning programme was complete the properties were always intended for general use tenants, and added that people could be anti-social at any age.  Members were assured that officers’ priority was to be very sensitive to elderly residents during the process rather than blindly allocating the properties to anyone so long as they were aged 50 or above. 

Councillor Pothecary highlighted that it was very difficult as there were some younger individuals that would relish that kind of property and would not bring the kinds of issues mentioned but understood the need to balance their need with the needs of the elderly residents.  She asked whether option 3 could be coordinated into part of a downsizing campaign as she was conscious that there was a chance that some properties might remain empty.  Councillor Pothecary sought clarity as to whether this would just be during the decommissioning phase or permanently as it would be a real concern to have empty properties while people within the borough were still homeless and awaiting accommodation.  She also asked whether there was any resident feedback surrounding the mobile sheltered housing service.

The Housing Strategy & Quality Manager apologised that she could not provide feedback presently regarding the mobile service but could find out and respond outside of the meeting.  Members were assured that it was not intended that properties would remain empty any longer than necessary, the options only referred to the decommissioning period when residents would be making their decisions and might be waiting for the completion of the new development in Calcutta Road.

Councillor Pothecary asked Officers to confirm that for any residents who opted to stay past the decommissioning period it would be made very clear that there could be younger tenants living alongside them in the future.  The Housing Strategy & Quality Manager reassured the Committee that it would have to be made abundantly clear to residents making their decisions.

The Chair asked for confirmation that the units in question were not part of a traditional sheltered living complex.  Members heard that they did not open onto a shared courtyard like traditional complexes but had always been used, to her knowledge, for sheltered accommodation. 

The Chair agreed that he would be quite happy for the option to be general needs tenants from the age of 50 as it seemed sensitive to the existing tenants but was cautious that the department should not let that criteria slide and create friction.  The Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health stressed their plan was “careful management” as there were some incredible instances of anti-social behaviour within sheltered accommodation while other younger individuals caused no concerns whatsoever so it would be essential to be sensitive in the selection process. He suggested the Committee include the over 50s clause in their recommendation to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

1)    The Committee noted the report and endorse the approach to further decommissioning of the remaining units/schemes identified in the February 2015 review.

2)    Members considered the options for using void properties during the decommissioning period and agreed the sensitive allocation approach.