Issue - meetings

A report from the Executive Director Place is attached. (Key decision – reference number 5330)

Councillor Gina Needs (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place seeking approval of the Empty Homes Strategy.

NOTED

1.    There was a need to make best use of all housing stock, and a range of options had been developed to maximise the numbers of empty properties brought back into use.

2.    The intention was that wherever possible, homes brought back into use would be let to residents in need through Enfield Let.

3.    Owners could receive advice on letting their property from the Landlord Advice Line 020 8379 4320.

Alternative Options Considered: 

•  To carry on the current approach of grant funding a small number of properties to bring them back into use. This would not significantly increase the supply of homes available to vulnerable residents and poorer households.

•  To close the grants programme. This would save the Council £200,000 pa but the lost opportunity costs would be significantly higher than this.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to

1.  Approve the Empty Homes Strategy for 2021-26.

2.  Delegate to the Director of Housing and Regeneration the investment of up to £200k per annum for the next 5 years on empty homes initiatives as outlined in this strategy at section 8 of the Empty Homes Strategy.

3.  Delegate to the Director of Housing and Regeneration the authority to update the payment limits in section 8 of the strategy

Reason:  NOTED the detailed reasons for the proposals as set out in paragraphs 1 to 12 of the report.

(Key decision – reference number 5330)