BOROUGH OF POOLE
COMMUNITY SUPPORT OVERVIEW GROUP
21JULY 2005
REPORT FROM HEAD OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
CHARGES FOR FURNISHED COUNCIL TENANCIES
- Purpose of the Report
The purpose of this report is to request Members’ approval to set up a new scheme to provide furnished tenancies for homeless applicants placed into Poole Housing Partnership hostel accommodation and to recover the costs by increasing the rent levels.
- Recommendations
2.1Members are asked to consider the provision of furnished tenancies for either Borough of Poole hostel accommodation or properties leased by the Council for temporary accommodation and to refer the decision to the Portfolioholder.
2.2Members are asked to agree to enter into an agreement with the Dorset Reclaim Recycling Project to supply and deliver furniture to the value of £200 per hostel unit and to refer the decision to the Portfolioholder.
2.3Members are asked to agree to increase the rent charged for each furnished unit by £3.85 per week to cover the cost of providing furniture and to refer the decision to the Portfolioholder.
- Furnished tenancies
3.1Homeless applicants being placed into unfurnished hostels from bed and breakfast accommodation are often delayed from moving in because they have no furniture. Usually they are single people evicted from furnished accommodation or victims of domestic violence who have left their belongings behind or people leaving hospital. In the past year there have been ten such applicants in this position .
3.2It is proposed that the Council will enter into an agreement with Dorset Reclaim, the furniture re-cycling project, to completely furnish one bedroom hostel flats. Dorset Reclaim are a registered charity, which is supported by the Council, and offer good quality furniture and electrical goods. They have agreed to furnish each unit at a cost of £200 and homeless applicants will be able to choose a bed, sofa, cooker, fridge, kettle, crockery, cutlery and pots and pans up to that value. This is considerably cheaper than second hand shops found in the high street and each item will comply with regulations covering fire retardancy and electrical safety and will be given a certificate for six months. Dorset Reclaim will be sent details of the furniture required so that homeless applicants only receive the essential items they need.
3.3The Poole Housing Partnership have been consulted and it is proposed that the rent for each furnished unit be increased by £3.85 to recover the cost of furniture over a twelve month period, ie. £200 divided by 52 weeks. The charges recovered will be paid to Housing and Community Services to offset the payment made to Dorset Reclaim for the furniture.
3.4The Head of Revenue and Benefits has been consulted and homeless applicants will be able to claim housing benefit to cover the increase in rental charge on condition that they are eligible and the furniture remains in the property. However, it is envisaged that most of the property will be disposed of when the applicant leaves as it will no longer meet fire and other safety regulations following the expiry of the six month certificate issued by Dorset Reclaim.
3.5The scheme can be set up at no cost to Poole Housing Partnership or the Housing Revenue Account. There will be also be no cost to the General Fund as full housing benefit subsidy will granted.
4.Conclusion
The provision of furnished accommodation for homeless applicants will offer an additional service to the poorest members of our society. Further, it will enable applicants to be moved on quickly from bed and breakfast accommodation and reduce costs.
Background Papers
Borough of Poole Financial Regulations
Officer Contact
KEITH MITCHELL – Housing Needs Manager
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