Welfare Reform UpdateSue Sutton
Current position (end Sept 13)• 1233 tenants under occupying.• 73% are tenants under occupying are in arrears. (44%
were in arrears at end March 2013.)• £346,003 value of arrears for tenants who are under
occupying. This has increased £86.602 since April. Last 4 weeks under occupancy arrears have decreased.
• 38 tenants have downsized as a result of under occupancy since April 2013 – 24 transfers and 14 mutual exchanges
• No reduction in demand for properties.
Resources and support • 4 under occupancy patches with 4 income officers
dedicated to managing these tenancies and providing support.
• Trained to use Home Search and help people downsize.
• Money Advice Team in place – provide money advice and budgeting support. Increased team to 1 Money Advice Co-ordinator and 4 Money Advice Officers.
• We also have 1 welfare rights and debt advice officer.
Resources and support • Hardship fund – following DHP or where DHP
refused. Also linking this to employment courses• Smarter Buys Store• Carrying out visits to all tenants receiving a DHP
to explore options• Downsizing support – officer support to help bid,
downsizing budget and support for mutual exchanges.
• Advice and support on taking in a lodger.
Universal credit
• Working across the SHP
• Away day with all staff – MECC
• Payment methods – phone app, payment kiosk
• Credit Union – development of Jam Jar Accounts
• Digital inclusion pilot
• Information sources
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