The Provision of ResidentialHousing in the Borough

Housing Benefit

Mavis Bishop – Customer Relations Manager

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

What is it?

Financial help for individuals towards rent Administered by the Local Authority on behalf of Central Government

What is it for?

To provide assistance to people and families on a low income to retain a roof over their head

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

Who Does it Help?

Council Tenants 4550 Tenants of Registered Social Landlords and HAs 2160 Tenants of the Private Rented Sector 7200

Working People on a low wage People who move in and out of work People unable to work Pensioners

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

Who Can Claim It?

People who have a liability to pay rent and

- Who are on a low income, and

- Have capital and savings of less than £16,000

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

Our Customers

Single persons, couples and families Employed, unemployed, elderly, young and people with a wide range of

disabilities The common factor is that they all live in the Borough and have a low income

- Our customers are not static – whilst those in secure accommodation may stay in one home for years, there is considerable turnover amongst claimants

- Both in terms of moving in and out of benefits, and- Movement between sectors

The type of accommodation they occupy is predominantly 1-2 bedrooms (76%); 3 bedrooms (21%)

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

Our Landlords

The Council is the largest landlord with 6,300 rental properties and 500 leasehold properties

RSLs and HAs have 3,400 rental properties

2,200 Private Landlords currently let to benefit claimants

Safe - clean - healthy - prosperous - excellent - Creating a better Southend

Issues

Supply of affordable good quality accommodation

Rent Levels

- Top up / Discretionary Housing Payments / Local Housing Allowance

Hard to reach groups