Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of a Draft Tenancy Strategy as required under s150 of the Localism Act 2011.

The Draft Tenancy Strategy set out the objectives to be taken into consideration by individual Registered Providers of social housing as they made decisions about their own tenancy policies. It provided an overview of how the Council would address the issues of rent, tenure reform, and changes to the housing register. The key aims of the Medway Council Tenancy Strategy were:

·        To set out clear expectations for Registered Providers and other social landlords operating in Medway;

·        To make the best use of the Council’s housing stock and wider social housing stock in the area;

·        To prevent homelessness and enable housing to be offered to those in the greatest need;

·        To offer tenancies which were in the interest of the individual household;

·        To create and maintain sustainable communities.

A Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) screening form had been undertaken on the draft Policy that indicated it had not been necessary to proceed a full assessment.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 13 December 2012 and its views were set out in an addendum report. It was also noted that consultation had been undertaken with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders, with feedback received having been taken into account in the subsequent development of the Strategy.

Reasons:

Approval of the Tenancy Strategy will fulfil the provisions of Section 150 of the Localism Act 2011, which requires local authorities to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy.