18 January 2011
Limiting social housing tenancies to a minimum of two years will fuel administration and management costs, housing professionals are warning.
In its response to the government’s consultation,Local decisions: a fairer future for socialhousing, the Chartered Institute of Housing says two-year tenancies are too short and will create instability in households.
The response, issued yesterday as the consultation period ended, also states that social housing should not be viewed as something people have to leave once their lives change. It is suggesting that rather than tenants losing the right to live in their homes, the terms of a tenancy could be altered to reflect changes their circumstances. This would not damage either individual security or the stability of the community.
While the CIH acknowledges that putting social housing rents up to 80% of market rates can help to finance new homes, it is not the right approach. The institute wants social landlords to be given the flexibility to manage their assets to maximise non-public funding.
CIH chief executive Sarah Webb said; ‘Housing professionals, who are committed to serve the interests of tenants and communities and will see the immediate impact of these reforms, have expressed concerns about the current proposals.
‘We are clear that the emphasis must be on offering tenants positive and supported choices to improve their housing options and to support the development of sustainable communities, rather than on enforcing particular behaviour or eligibility.’
