Minutes:
Members received a verbal report on Boundary House, a privately owned property with 45 studio units with separate bathroom and living area with a kitchen.
The Private Sector Housing Team became involved initially in February 2013 when they were advised that the housing block was being refurbished and the owner would be letting it as temporary accommodation for homeless families. The Team intervened in the original plans to ensure that the planned work would meet the legal standards; for example, a heating system.
It was noted that the London Boroughs retained a rehousing duty to the residents in the block. Whilst some approaches were made to Welwyn Hatfield’s housing needs service from residents when the block was initially occupied, there had been very little contact since that time from residents seeking housing advice. It was further noted that there had been no rehousing of families from this block into the Borough and the Council would always maintain the position that the London Boroughs had a duty to support and provide housing/housing advice. The Private Sector Team had an ongoing responsibility to ensure that the landlord was meeting the required standards, in terms of the quality of the property. However, eight complaints had been received about property standards relating to seven properties since 2013. The Team had previously written to the appropriate London Boroughs regarding the level of occupancy and action had been taken to reallocate families, where they were overcrowded. The last occupancy data was received in August 2016. Members were informed that on checking these records against the addresses noted from the News Night Programme, the occupants were different to the families who were in the block in August so it appeared that they moved in after August last year.
Work was underway with the Local Government Association (Eastern Region) to improve information exchange and working practices between Hertfordshire and Essex Local Authorities and London Boroughs in terms of placing homeless families.
Consideration was given to rents, the discharge of homelessness duties and out of Borough placements of homeless households that had continued and this in turn had placed additional pressure on the Council’s housing service/resources.
It was noted that a meeting had been arranged with senior Officers from the London Borough of Waltham Forest (who currently let 33 properties in the block) to address the level of occupancy of some of the families in the block and to seek assurances from them that this would be resolved. A meeting had been arranged with the management company (Theori Property Management) to remind them of their ongoing responsibilities and to ensure that there would be clear processes in place for residents to raise concerns and to have sufficient information/advice about where to obtain support, also to reiterate the importance of receiving the full occupancy details on a quarterly basis.
It was noted that the London Borough of Newham no longer used the units. There would be a visit made by the Team Officers to the two addresses highlighted in the programme.
RESOLVED
That the action being taken in respect of Boundary House, Welwyn Garden City be noted.
(Note: The Chairman accepted this as an Item of urgent business on account of the need to address the housing issues at Boundary House raised in the TV programme).