London borough launches ‘radical’ 'Housing into Work' pilot

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Central Government, Communities, Local Government

A Conservative-run local authority is piloting a scheme that will see young unemployed people on its waiting list offered council homes on two-year fixed-term tenancies.

Wandsworth Council’s ‘Housing into Work’ pilot will see a select group of 18-24-year-olds - registered unemployed with priority applicant status - given help finding work.

It draws on new powers contained in the Localism Act which will give local authorities greater freedoms when it comes to allocations and tenancy lengths.

However, the news comes on the day homelessness charity Shelter urged councils to adopt five-year tenancies as the "absolute minimum", highlighting regulatory standards that say two-year terms should only be used in "exceptional circumstances".

Wandsworth, however, is not alone. Earlier this month the London borough of Barnet announced it was offering two-year tenancies as the norm to waiting list applicants under 25.

Wandsworth has set aside 20 social housing lets – either studio or one-bed council homes – for the pilot on the condition that the tenants take steps that make them work ready and find work.

Those failing to stick to their side of the bargain, the council says, will face the prospect of losing their home.

Over the course of their tenancy, residents will attend meetings with a council liaison officer, engage in training/voluntary work/placements and interviews and generally become “work prepared” and gain employment. 

The council says they will undergo periodic reviews with their designated liaison officer in order to make sure they are on the "right track" and address any concerns or problems they might be experiencing.

The pilot is expected to be up and running by the autumn.

Wandsworth’s housing spokesman, Councillor Paul Ellis said: “We want to make social housing a route through which people are given help to gain new skills and employment.

“This pilot is a wonderful opportunity for some of our unemployed young people, who are looking for somewhere to live while they seek out employment opportunities, to get help moving onwards and upwards in life.

“I sincerely believe this pilot will act as a launch pad from which they will have more housing choices to buy or rent, freeing up social housing for people who really need it.”

Cllr Ellis said the pilot will not be punishing people who are made redundant or cannot find a job, but will be helping those willing to get into employment and penalising those who can't be bothered to make the effort.

He added: “The council’s wider aim is to give a higher priority to working families when it comes to allocating council properties. It should be fairer and easier for low income working families to be given council accommodation.

“In addition, having more and more families on our estates that are in work acts as a positive example for the neighbourhood.”

According to the council, nearly 30 per cent of working age households on its housing estates are in receipt of full housing benefit while the borough’s unemployment rate is 2.9%.

The council says that unless people in these circumstances are given help getting off benefits and into work, they run a much greater risk of developing health problems and suffering other social problems associated with living in poverty.

Tenants on the pilot will receive a "progress review" at the end of the tenancy. Those who demonstrate they are actively seeking work – but who struggle to secure employment – would continue to receive support and not face losing their home, the council says.

The pilot scheme will be evaluated further down the line to assess whether it has a wider application.