TEAM TALK 4 June 2014 Frances Turner Managing

TEAM TALK 4 June 2014 Frances Turner Managing Director of Ocean Housing Ltd

Welfare Reform so far… Team Talk 4 th June 2014 Welfare Advice Team

Welfare Reforms - 1 Year on Bedroom Tax and Council Tax benefit changes April 2013 Government Aim – Encourage households to downsize - since April 2013 is 69 – 12. 5%. National picture : • 2/3 of tenants subject to the bedroom tax in arrears (Feb 2014 – NHF) – (58% Ocean) • Lack of smaller properties • Payment of discretionary relief inconsistent

What have we done so far… l 358 tenants now affected by bedroom tax from 426 l Over 550 households visited: l DHP/ERA l Energy saving advice/ Budgeting l H/C and H/S applications l Financial support/Crisis & Care l Signposting to relevant agencies l Food vouchers l Referrals to CMHT/Social Services l Coordinating/facilitating moves l Referral to Tenant Employment Coordinator Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) - total to date is over £ 85, 000!

More changes ahead…. . Universal Credit…the next step l l l Universal Credit (UC) - working age only Single household payment replacing 6 benefits (JSA, ESA, IS, Child/ Working Tax Credits and HB) Preparing households for monthly budgeting – tenants will have to pay their own rent! On-line claims and direct monthly payments in arrears into bank accounts to mirror the 75% who have paid earnings UC claimants better off in work – benefit reduction is gradual In return … Claimant Commitment: l l l Those deemed fit for work will have to ‘job hunt’ full time It will outline what else they must do in return e. g. training Consequences – sanctions – this can be from one month up to 3 years!

UC…. progress to date l UC pathfinders – testing new system l Still in pilot stages: 11 areas – focusing on new, single unemployed people with or without housing costs l l Majority of claimants able to make their claim online l Rent arrears increased l l Limited trial…Bath – 4 claimants! Extra staff required Pilots extend to couples and families later in the year – more complex

Impact of Universal Credit and Direct Payments Of 4060 Ocean properties: • 1200 (29. 6%) do not claim HB • 1120 (27. 6%) pension credit age • 1740 (42. 8%) working age and qualify for UC • The average HB claim £ 80 per week. • If all working age customers received direct payments, the amount of money “at risk” would be an extra £ 6, 681, 600 or 39% of TRD.

Impact of Universal Credit and Direct Payments • UC will double the amount of money we currently collect direct from tenants. • Rent Arrears - Option to pay direct to landlord at 2 months – Switchback • Decisions made locally – subject to review

Getting ready… l Digital Inclusion l Bank account l Identifying support needs - UC not suitable for all – Alternative Payment Arrangements l l More frequent payments l l Rent direct to the landlord Splitting the payment within household Examples of these may be: l Drug/Alcohol or other addiction l Learning Difficulties l Severe/multiple debt/rent arrears l Domestic Violence l Families with complex needs l Mental Health

Getting ready … UC will have a significant impact on both our customers and our organisation l Planning is needed l Lots of issues to be resolved before UC goes live l Actual date yet to be advised - Envisaged national roll out 2016/2017 l ?

Questions?

TEAM TALK 4 June 2014 Frances Turner Managing Director of Ocean Housing Ltd

National Green Deal and Eco Awards 2014 OSL AWARDED NATIONAL BOILER & RENEWABLES INSTALLER OF THE YEAR!

Park House Flats. Fire Huge Thank you to Staff Involved

Boards: October 2014 • ‘Train the Trainer’ with the Housing Involved Residents: November 2014 Diversity Network – Champion 7 Group (September 2014) • In-house training • Smaller groups with more interaction and a If there are greater focus on particular issues customer service you would like to All staff: November 2014 be addressed in the training please feedback to Stuart Hill

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Tenancy Fraud Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 Detect and prevent unlawful subletting Landlords powers to prosecute and courts can recovery profit 6/7 suspected cases in Ocean properties

Tenancy Fraud Anonymous lead Investigated - facebook, internet, investigator, neighbours, landlord, Police Legal Notice served Outcome - more affordable homes available to let to those most in need

Re-Development of Windmill House

Ocean Services Recruitment • Heating Engineers • Electricians • Multi-skilled Building Maintenance Operatives

Gilbert and Goode Current: Recruitment. Dan Cole - QS Craig Thompson – Andrew Day - QS Project Manager Ongoing: June 2014 – Interviewing for Project Manager and Sales and Connections Manager Planned: July 2014 – Site Managers x 2 and Various Trades (Carpenters, Plasterer, Painter and Decorator)

ANNUAL AUDIT OF FINAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS KPMG AT OCEAN FROM 27 MAY TO 13 JUNE 2014

Any Questions?