Decision details

Members received a report that asked the Executive Member to approve a revision to the existing scheme that encourages homeless persons to reduce their former tenancy arrears and speed up their eligibility for permanent accommodation.

At EMAP on 11^th September 2006 members were asked to amend the scheme to make it more attractive to customers and encourage more of them to take up the scheme. It was included in the ‘Customer rewards’ report, on which there was significant debate about other elements of this report and the original proposals were amended. Unfortunately this part of the report was overlooked.

Two options were presented to Members for consideration:

Option 1 - At present the scheme to encourage the homeless to repay their former tenant arrears was based on them maintaining repayments over a 26 week period. It was proposed to make an interim payment at 13 weeks to encourage them to maintain the momentum.

Option 2 – Maintain the existing arrangement.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to approve option 1 to amend the existing pilot.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To encourage greater participation in the scheme.