Local Lettings Initiative for the allocation of properties within Greenhill Court, Rutherglen during 2011/12
| Title | Local Lettings Initiative for the allocation of properties within Greenhill Court, Rutherglen during 2011/12 |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Housing and Technical |
| Service Area | Housing and Technical Resources |
| Aims and Objectives | The housing allocation policy sets out the basis on which all Council housing will be allocated. Allocations to Council properties are made on the basis of an assessment of the cumulative housing needs of the applicant. Local Letting Initiatives (LLIs) provide the means for varying the allocation policy in order to take account of local needs, demands and circumstances. The purpose of this LLI is to set a lower target of lets to the Urgent Housing Need list (predominately homeless applicants) within Greenhill Court, Rutherglen, than for Rutherglen as a whole. The aim of the LLI is to help towards the achievement of a sustainable community within Greenhill Court, which despite its central location has experienced high levels of turnover and abandonments, and low demand for properties. The LLI is part of a wider programme of regeneration work being carried out to improve the physical structure of Greenhill Court. Applicants on the Urgent Housing Need list are more likely to have complex needs and it is evident that they may be more likely to have difficulty in sustaining a tenancy, even with high levels of support. It is recognised that within this development, a high proportion of lets to this group has contributed to the instability experienced. While the LLI will reduce the number of lets made to applicants on the Urgent Housing Need list in Greenhill Court, allocations will continue to be prioritised in accordance with the housing allocation policy. The reduction in lets within this development will be compensated for in other areas of Rutherglen. Applicants who are homeless will continue to undergo a thorough assessment process to identify their specific needs and support requirements. The LLI will be subject to an annual review process. |
| Conclusion | The Local Letting Initiative (LLI) provides the means to vary the housing allocation policy and limit the number of lets to the Urgent Housing Need list, by setting a lower target in Greenhill Court, Rutherglen. Properties within Greenhill Court account for 0.7% of all stock in Rutherglen. Despite its central location and previous investment work, Greenhill Court has experienced high levels of turnover, abandonments and low demand for housing. It is recognised that historically a high number of lets made to vulnerable applicants with high support needs contributed to this instability. The LLI aims to increase the sustainability of Greenhill Court and is part of a wider programme of work to improve the properties. In 2011/12, the target of lets to the Urgent Housing Need list will be reduced to 25%-30% in Greenhill Court, compared with 55%-65% in Rutherglen as a whole. The Equality Impact Assessment has found that while the LLI is relevant to everyone on the housing list and in particular applicants to Greenhill Court and Urgent Housing Need applicants, it is not anticipated to have a significant adverse impact on any equality group. All applicants can apply to be housed within Greenhill Court and other areas of Rutherglen. Applicants who are homeless go through a thorough assessment of their needs and will continue to be prioritised for housing in accordance with the allocation policy. Where Greenhill Court is considered appropriate housing, an allocation will be made. For Urgent Housing Need applicants, the reduction in the target of lets in this area, will be compensated for in other areas of Rutherglen. The LLI will be routinely monitored and reviewed on annual basis to ensure it is operating effectively, outcomes are as expected and to assess whether it is still required. |
| Completion date | Pre 2014 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |
| Area | Rutherglen and Cambuslang |