Driven by challenges of increasing demand for housing, at time of constrained delivery Also by...

• Driven by challenges of increasing demand for housing, at time of constrained delivery

• Also by demographic challenge• Focus on positive outcomes for tenants• Cost effectiveness of tackling underoccupation, in

comparison with new provision• Research project commissioned to assess extent of

underoccupation, identify success factors in dealing with it, and show potential to meet need by responding to underoccupation in social housing

Right Home, Right Place, Right TimeEast of England Underoccupation Study

• 103 landlords surveyed, response rate 33%• Data gathering mainly based on tenant profiling –

this is still in its early days• Augmented by public data from census etc.• Reviewed existing good practice


• Social Housing Underoccupation – two rooms and over (Census Data)


19.00%19.50%20.00%20.50%21.00%21.50%22.00%22.50%

• Household types in underoccupation (Census Data)


East of England region

2 plus bedrooms 1 plus bedrooms

2 and 1 plus bedrooms

One person non-pensioner 18.4% 25.0% 43.4%

One family all pensioners 39.8% 35.0% 74.8%

Couple with no children 44.0% 32.2% 76.2%

Couple with dependent children 11.9% 29.0% 40.9%

Couple with non-dependent children

22.9% 40.7% 63.6%

Lone parent with dependent children

9.7% 26.6% 36.3%

• 44% of landlords hadn’t undertaken a survey which enables comparison of household type to size of home.

• Of those who had undertaken a survey, most (60%) had done it in the last year, so still early to get full analysis

• Of those who were able to respond, landlords identified between 1% and 19% of their stock as underoccupied (two rooms and over), and between 5% and 34% (one room and over)


• Do you have a scheme to reduce underoccupation? (landlord survey)


Answer options Percent Response count

Yes, we have our own scheme 54.5% 18

We take part in a wider scheme (e.g. run by the local authority) 3.0% 1

No 45.5% 15

answered question 33

skipped question 0

The survey identified 167 downsizing moves in the past year, 65-74 age range most likely to move.


Type of property downsizers moved to Supported housing

Sheltered housing

Extra care housing

General needs bungalow s

General needs flats

Adapted bungalow s orother adapted home

General needs houses

Direct toresidential/nursing care

Other

• What cash incentives do you offer to encourage downsizing?


Response Average

Min Max Response Count

Cash incentive per move (please specify usual amount)

1,568.46 500.00 4,500 20

Cash incentive per room given up (please specify how much per room)

785.71 500.00 1,500 15

Removal expenses771.43 300.00 1,500 15

answered question 21

skipped question 12

• What incentives (not cash) do you offer to underoccupiers to move to a smaller home


Percent Count

Discounted or free rent for a period at a new home (please give details)13.3% 2

Preference given to downsizers within allocation schemes93.3% 14

Practical assistance with packing and moving (what does this consist of?)53.3% 8

Help with setting up utility and other bills (please specify) 46.7% 7Additional choice or points in allocation system (please specify)

46.7% 7

Allowing households to retain one spare bedroom (please specify)73.3% 11

Personal help with matching tenants to new home (for example, older people housed on ground floor in an adapted dwelling) please specify 66.7% 10

Providing directory of local information on area the tenant has moved to (please specify) 53.3%

8

Additional support/care package provided (please specify) 60.0% 9

Other (please specify) 33.3% 5

answered questions 15 skipped questions 18

• Key messages– Tackling underoccupation can help meet housing need

and respond to tenants’ requirements– “Hotspots” tend to be rural, “cold spots” tend to be

south Essex– The right property at the right time is essential to

encourage moves with support rather than or in addition to cash is most effective incentive

– Value for money when compared to new provision.– Need to encourage good practice, starting with tenant

and stock profiling


• Mobility Taskforce– Set up by Grant Shapps in 2009, chaired by David Orr– Identify action needed to improve mobility in social

rented housing– Consulted with the sector and carried out desk research – Identified seven areas of action, of which under-

occupation was one– Overarching problem was the ability of existing social

tenants to compete in lettings systems for a new home– Final report due in June 2010


• Mobility Taskforce – Under-occupation theme– Potential for legislative reform to support downsizers in

CBL and other lettings systems– Local lettings plans set up in partnership between housing

associations and local authorities– Provide additional support to landlords and strategic

authorities to offer the right incentives for downsizers– Review Housing Benefit rules to be more flexible for

downsizers– Ensure that HCA resources are used to develop attractive

options to encourage downsizing, learn from HAPPI report


• Taking the project forward– Publication which puts this in context of wider issues of

housing for older people– To be launched at regional good practice seminar,

summer 2010– Promotion campaign

• Queries/comments to Claire Astbury [email protected]


Driven by challenges of increasing demand for housing, at time of constrained delivery Also by...

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