Local authorities and registered social landlords

This section looks at best practice in joint working between local authorities and registered social landlords, and the regulatory requirements of registered social landlords.

By Helen Williams, Policy Officer, National Housing Federation

Many activities require joint planning and operational co-operation between local authorities (LAs) and registered social landlords (RSLs), for example, homelessness reviews and strategies, assistance for homeless households and permanent rehousing.

Regulation of registered social landlords

The Housing Corporation's Regulatory Code and Guidance places an emphasis on RSLs working in partnership with LAs to enable them to meet their duties to homeless people.

RSLs are also expected to have lettings policies that balance being responsive to local authorities with taking into account the needs of their transfer applicants and mobility schemes. They are required, under the Housing Act 1996, to co-operate to such an extent as is reasonable to help LAs:

  • discharge their homelessness functions
  • help them offer homes to people seeking re-housing via the LA.

The Housing Corporation expects RSLs:

  • to provide a reasonable proportion of their housing stock to LA nominations and as temporary accommodation, when requested.
  • demonstrate their co-operation with LA homelessness reviews and strategies and in the delivery of LA homelessness functions.

Homelessness

Reviews and strategies

LAs should involve RSLs who have homes in their area in developing and implementing their homelessness strategies. RSLs can contribute by:

  • providing data about homelessness levels
  • providing temporary and permanent re-housing and support to homeless people
  • providing support to help existing tenants to retain their homes
  • developing and managing short-life accommodation and private sector-leasing schemes.

LAs and RSLs should agree the action that RSLs will take to meet the objectives of the strategy.

LAs should take into account their homelessness strategies when working in partnership with RSLs to develop:

  • arrangements for the transfer of stock
  • their Supporting People programme
  • their crime reduction programme
  • priorities for funding new housing.

Applications

RSLs and specialist providers of care and support provide outreach work and accommodation for homeless people. They are well placed to offer advice to LAs about homeless applications from their clients.

LAs should seek advice when considering vulnerability and involve these organisations in joint assessments of care and support before offering housing. Often RSLs and specialist providers can advise on:

  • the nature and extent of the illness or disability, or other issues, which may render the applicant vulnerable
  • the relationship between the illness or disability and the individual's housing difficulties.

Allocation of permanent housing

Local agreements

The proportion of housing that RSLs offer to LAs is normally the subject of local nomination agreements. In areas with high demand for affordable housing LAs tend to ask for a larger share of the homes available. Outside high-pressure areas, RSLs are able to offer more homes to people who apply to them directly.

RSLs also house and support vulnerable people through arrangements with specialist agencies, such as mental health charities.

Some RSLs and LAs have common housing registers. Care should be taken to record nominations so that RSLs are held accountable for performance against nomination agreements.

Varying objectives

In agreeing arrangements for nominations, LAs will need to be mindful that RSLs are independent bodies that must have regard to their charitable objectives or governing instruments. RSLs may operate different lettings policies than the LA on, for example, matching household and property type.

RSLs may also operate local lettings policies. Indeed they are expected, under the Regulatory Code, to have lettings policies that:

  • are flexible, non-discriminatory and responsive to demand
  • give reasonable preference to those in priority need
  • contribute to sustainability objectives.

Choice

Under the Housing Corporation's Regulatory Code, RSLs are expected to seek to offer a choice of homes to their tenants and prospective tenants. In some areas, RSLs and LAs are advertising details of available homes together. It is important that RSLs and LAs agree arrangements for offering support to people who may find it difficult to respond to adverts or access other choice-based systems, for example, people who have mental health problems or who are under stress.

Framework for joint working

LAs should draw up a framework for joint working with:

  • RSLs
  • Voluntary agencies
  • Social services
  • Supporting People teams
  • Health authorities
  • Probation services
  • Other agencies who provide housing and deliver care and support.

Screening

The framework should set out screening procedures to identify vulnerable applicants, and how organisations will be involved in joint assessments of risk and care and support needs. Organisations should be involved if they are considering offering housing or care and support to the applicant, or are already doing so. In this way, suitable housing and support can be delivered.

The framework should establish the information to be shared between the LAs and RSLs when someone is nominated for rehousing.

Further information


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