Issue - meetings
FP1139 Assisted Transfer Scheme (Housing)
Meeting: 06/09/2022 - Cabinet (Item 36)
36 Assisted Transfer Scheme (Housing) (Forward Plan Reference FP1139) 
PDF 145 KB
Report of the Chief Executive on the changes to the Assisted Transfer Scheme (AST) that is currently offered to council tenants and to rename the policy the Rightsizing Transfer Scheme (RTS).
Additional documents:
- 7b - Cabinet report ATS scheme Appendix A July 2022 final v2, item 36
PDF 231 KB
- 7b - Cabinet report ATS scheme Appendix B July 2022 final, item 36
PDF 31 KB
- Webcast for Assisted Transfer Scheme (Housing) (Forward Plan Reference FP1139)
Decision:
Cabinet noted the review of the Assisted Transfer Scheme and approved the changes to the scheme and rebranding, which were set out in the report.
Minutes:
Report of the Chief Executive on the changes to the Assisted Transfer Scheme (AST) that is currently offered to council tenants and to rename the policy the Rightsizing Transfer Scheme (RTS).
(1) The Decision Taken
RESOLVED:
(unanimous)
Cabinet noted the review of the Assisted Transfer Scheme and approved the changes to the scheme and rebranding, which were set out in the report.
(2) Reasons for the Decision
The report set out a proposal to replace the existing Assisted Transfer Scheme with the Rightsizing Transfer Scheme to make the allocation of the limited budget fairer and more accessible to tenants wishing to move to smaller homes. In addition, due to the interest from tenants in downsizing in the Minster House scheme, it recommends the virement, under officer delegations, of £20,000 of additional budget during this financial year only.
The new proposed scheme would enable more households to benefit from the limited budget available and offer a small incentive as it would help to alleviate some of the financial pressures of moving home. The new scheme will pay eligible households £750 for the first spare bedroom they give up by moving and a further £250 for each room thereafter.
It is anticipated that there will be an increased desire from tenants to downsize due to the increases in the cost of living and in particular fuel costs. Alongside this proposed new scheme there is a team of officers working hard to help tenants with other practical issues relating to downsizing to encourage and support them explore and hopefully achieve a successful move to accommodation that meets their needs.
It was noted that the Assisted Transfer Scheme went to Cabinet Housing Panel and members were in agreement of the recommendations.