Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice (NITV)
Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice (NITV)
New consultation - Allocations and Lettings consultation
Social housing is in high demand in Newcastle and we need manage it in a way that meets the needs of local residents. We are thinking about making some changes to the way we allocate social housing in the city. This includes changes to our succession policy for existing tenants. Community involvement and public engagement is important to us and we want to know what you think about the proposed changes.
We also want to hear about your experience of applying for and moving into social housing in Newcastle and you can respond to this consultation here.
The consultation period runs from 20/9/2022 to 6/11/2022 and all responses will be considered and used to inform the way in which people apply for council housing in Newcastle. If you would like to talk about this in more detail, please pop along to one of our drop-ins:
- Monday 10/10/2022, 1.00pm - 5.00pm @ West End Library, Condercum Road, NE4 9JH
- Thursday 13/10/2022, 2.00pm - 6.00pm @ Kenton Library, Hillsview Avenue, NE3 3QJ
- Monday 17/10/2022, 1.00pm - 4.00pm @ East End Library, 83 Shields Road, NE6 1DL
- Thursday 20/10/2022, 1.00pm - 4.00pm @ City Library, 33 New Bridge Street, NE1 8AX
Below are the links to the draft policies and a summary of the proposed changes:
Draft Allocations and Lettings Policy Draft Successions Policy Summary of changes
Responses
tbc
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New consultation - Directions to the Social Housing Regulator on Mutual Exchange and Tenant Involvement
The Regulator of Social Housing is due to consultation changes to the Consumer Standards later this year which is part of the Decent Home Standards review. There are four standards: Tenancy, Home, Neighbourhood and Community and Tenant involvement and Empowerment.
Before the launch of the Consumer Standards consultation, we have been asked by the Government, to speak to tenants and leaseholders about changes to the guidance they provide to the Regulator of Social Housing for Tenant Involvement and Mutual Exchange.
We would like to hear your views please respond to this consultation here.
The consultation period runs from 28 February 2023 to 13 March 2023 and all responses will be considered and added to the Newcastle City Councils response to Government on 30 March 2023.
Responses to consultation
|
Summary of proposal |
Consultation question |
NITV views |
Summary of our response |
|
Strengthen how housing providers involve tenants to:
|
Do you agree? |
67 people agreed 9 people disagreed |
We agreed for the following reasons:
|
|
Enable housing providers to determine their own performance framework for tenant involvement and ensure this includes low-cost renters and homeowners. |
Do you agree? |
52 people agreed 24 people disagreed |
We agreed for the following reasons:
|
|
Ensure housing providers support tenants who want to use mutual exchange services if they can’t do this independently. |
Do you agree? |
70 people agreed 6 people disagreed |
We agreed as we already offer a range of support and contact options which are tailored to the customer’s level of need. |
|
Housing providers can choose the provider for their mutual exchange services rather than selecting from those in the National Home Swap Scheme. |
Do you agree? |
64 people agreed 12 people disagreed |
We agreed for the following reasons:
|
THANK YOU FOR TAKING PART YOUR VIEWS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US
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New consultation - Domestic Abuse and Local Connection Consultation
The government is concerned that victims of domestic abuse are still being denied access to social housing council homes because they have no local connection to the area where they wish to be rehoused. The Government are proposing to introduce legislation to ensure that councils can no longer disqualify victims of domestic abuse from Council housing social housing because they don’t have a local connection. The proposed This legislation will apply to all victims regardless of whether they are living in social housing, refuge accommodation for people fleeing abuse, private rented housing or homeowners. The government wants to ensure that the application for re-housing relates to a need to relocate to a new area because of domestic abuse and are proposing the two following options: with regards to this:
• A time limit applies to the victim having fled the abuse and the application being made, although the government is concerned that placing a time limit does not consider the person’s individual circumstances.
• There must be a connection between the domestic abuse and the application for housing in the new area.
The government would like all Councils wants Local Authorities to work together to ensure the changes don’t place a greater demand for housing in areas where there is more refuge accommodation. What will these changes mean for Newcastle? The legislation will not have a major impact because people applying from outside of Newcastle due to domestic violence are not requiring to have a local connection. Residents of Newcastle, who are victims of domestic abuse, could have improved access to social housing homes in other local authority Council areas.
The consultation period runs from 18 April 2022 - 31 May 2022 and all responses will be considered and added to the Newcastle City Councils response to Government.
Responses to consultation
Q1. Do you feel victims of domestic abuse should require a local connection to an area to access a new Council home? Yes 20 / No 162
People who agreed told us:
- I work in housing, and I believe that we need to get more proof regarding people who claim DV as people abuse the system.
- Support victims of domestic or any kind of abuse, is our first priority! We can't talk about limits and numbers when people are in danger and need immediate help!
- I want to clarify why I think a connection is vital, should someone move LA. how would they be supported? A victim of abuse needs the following support: family, friends, work, these are the 3 most important pillars, without them the abuse will continue with a new partner. Support from services then fails, new LA, new police and potentially a new charity or support service, new doctor and etc. Change of professional support and safety net gets reset in a new LA. So, fleeing LA isn’t a straightforward solution, it bares to much risk. The support and assistance with abuse needs a more thorough approach.
- Police and other agencies should request an override based on evidence the person needs to move to the area with no local connection.
- I feel strongly about domestic abuse having been a victim. However, it is accepted in some cultures, so we need to be mindful of that, I do feel strongly about helping UK nationals first and foremost before thinking of helping refugees and non-nationals, etc.
People who disagreed told us:
- Victims of domestic abuse should be housed quickly while their application is being considered.
- Domestic abuse victims need to be away from the area they were abused.
- There should be as many options as possible to increase the chances that a victim of domestic abuse will leave their abuser, this is an issue which should not be governed by council house connection, geographic location, being refused further offers after not taking first offered accommodation if it is not suitable, think about all of the barriers to leaving an abusive relationship for any victim, there are always more reasons to stay than to leave in the mind of the victim, whether or not they can get housing or accommodation should not be one of them
- If the person chooses to move to another area as long as all the support services are in play together as at time may think right move but isolation & nil or limited support plus financial issues may mean later, they realise that need to move if a person works the opportunity for a job & housing to be considered
- I feel a Fast track option should be made available to enable staff to process these applicants without too many intrusive questions to the applicant.
Q2. Do you feel this should apply to victims of domestic abuse regardless of whether they are a council tenant, rent from a private landlord or own their home? Yes 164 / No 18
People who agreed told us:
- Some DV victims would want to re-locate out of the area of the perpetrator and other councils where there is no connection prevent this DV victims should be allowed to locate where they would like away from the perpetrators.
- DV victims need to opportunity to escape from their situation, quickly and without hinderance. I have encountered this problem for victims on numerous occasions in my capacity as an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. It is a silly rule under the circumstances. Lots of victims want to be well out of the way of any connections with suspects/offenders and sometimes their families and friends.
- The current rule of having a connection to the area can very often defeat the object of getting away from a perpetrator and often the perp’s family, to a safe place. the current rule stops this happening and puts victims at risk. i have worked with victims of dv to help rehouse them and have on more than one occasion been told by the victim that they feel further victimised by the current rules and feel that they are being punished for not having close family living in another area. i recently worked with someone who needed to move to another area and they were told that unless they had a parent or sibling in the area they would not be considered. the customers parents are dead and they are an only child, making it impossible. it needs to change.
- Having had to get Shelter involved on occasion where other local authorities almost seem to put obstacles in the way of victims moving to their area, this is very welcome
- I'm sad that this survey is even necessary, although I'm pleased to hear how Newcastle currently operates. Any reasonable human being should think as I do, that victims of Domestic Abuse should receive as much support as Councils are able to offer to them regardless of which Council area they came from. I understand this is a complex, difficult and sensitive subject but cases must be prioritised on need and not on where victims of abuse used to live before they fled to safety.
People who disagreed told us:
- Same rules need to apply for male victims of domestic abuse
- Police and other agencies should request an override based on evidence the person needs to move to the area with no local connection
- Domestic Violence affects Men as well as Women. LGBT people suffer DV as well and should also be able to access housing in other areas.
- I think all cases of domestic abuse should be carefully assessed and the victims wishes should be considered. A local contact should not be a need for someone fleeing abuse to get a house in a specific area. Some people wish to be put in an area where no one knows them at all whereas others want to be near family, this should always be discussed with the victim first.
Q3. When victims of domestic abuse apply for re-housing, do you think there should be a time limit on the application if there is a connection to the area? Yes 46 / No 125 / Other 11
People who agreed told us:
- DV victims should be rehoused immediately especially when there are children involved but they should be allocated a new housing in a relation to their DV risk level regardless of where their connection lies and if they rented privately before or remain in privately rented properties as their safety should be a priority.
- Unfortunately, this is and has always been abused. If you are fleering violent, you want to be as far away from the person as possible so they cannot trace you, remaining in an area with a local connection is an easy way for an abuser to find you.
- DV survivors have very different needs and risks, some may need to start afresh somewhere new but maintain some continuity in their support network, which is paramount to their recovery. Other survivors may need to go somewhere completely new where they know no-one to live safely. This should be considered as persons do not necessarily fit in a specific checklist as every survivor journey is unique.
- Some DV victims would want to re-locate out of the area of the perpetrator and other councils where there is no connection prevent this DV victims should be allowed to locate where they would like away from the perpetrators.
- Time limit should be reasonable and proportionate and apply whether there is a connection the area or not.
People who disagreed told us:
- I was the victim of domestic abuse throughout my marriage 1975 to 1980 and then two years beyond, it took two years for me to be rehoused and while waiting to be rehoused my husband terrorised me on several occasions. It was a living nightmare. While pregnant with my third child a daughter throughout 1979 I suffered terribly, there was no help out there for me and I was looked upon like a leper by those who should have helped me escape.
- My daughter passed away three months after her birth from sudden infant death syndrome (Cot death). You might imagine all the pain I went through but even now I suffer because of that; my mental health took a real bashing. My ex-husband passed away in 2010 but I am still affected by what happened to me. I consider myself lucky to have had a good solicitor and a Judge who saw through my husband immediately and refused him any access to the children, giving me full custody care and control. As for child maintenance he paid £75 before leaving his employment and not paying another penny.
- Our lives were a struggle, but we survived, and my sons are good men. My son also suffered from domestic abuse 2010 to 2012 at the hands of his wife, he was brought up to believe it was wrong to hit a woman, no matter what the circumstances, I blame myself for what he went through, I found it hard to believe a man could go through this situation, when I did however find out I had to tell him to try to keep his hands from fighting back and just get out and away from her if he could, mainly because I am aware of these situations and how they can escalate very quickly and a man is generally more powerfully built and can do far more damage if he retaliates against a woman, unfortunately men get rougher treatment from everyone when trying to explain they are a victim, other people simply do not believe them and in almost every case they are seen to be the perpetrator when in fact they are the victim who has snapped and defended themselves.
- They find it difficult to talk about mainly because they feel less of a man if they cannot bring a situation like this under control and ashamed to admit they are being abused by a woman. Domestic Abuse is never looked into as thoroughly as it should be and people who have witnessed it are unwilling to get involved, some out of fear and others for whatever reasons they choose. I know things have got slightly better over the years, but it simply is not enough.
- I feel denying someone in this situation the right to move because of local authority red tape is a form of abuse in itself
People who thought other told us:
- There should be a time limit regardless of connection!
- Twelve months
- My answer to this would depend on how long the proposed time limit would be. The time limit needs to be lengthy.
Conclusion
There is an understanding in Newcastle that domestic violence through the Governments proposals, will allow better opportunities for victims who are looking to be re-housed out of their current local authority area. Understandably, there is support for victims to maintain a local connection to an area to access existing support services, professionals, and family etc which needs to be taking into consideration.
As part of the consultation people have given us personal statements and experiences which are included in the comments from responders. These need to be taking into consideration when identifying the policy proposals. Given the proposals intend to improve prospects and opportunities for those living with domestic violence, it’s important to victims that they have meaningful support when requesting re-housing. The Government must support sustainability and equality on a national level, which would include Local Authority’s to embed housing policies that enhance their offer of support and opportunities to the victims, the majority of responders in Newcastle definitely agree.
The Government must ensure the right decisions are made for victims of domestic abuse and the responsibilities placed on local authorities is forthcoming in full, otherwise this is another empty consultation where communities are losing out.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING PART YOUR VIEWS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US
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JOIN US TO HELP SHAPE HOUSING POLICY
Are you interested in helping to shape and influence the way we deliver housing policy and services without having to commit to regular meetings.
If you are a Council tenant or leaseholder, you can join our Tenant Influence Panel. We are looking to recruit tenants and leaseholders who would be willing to take part in one-off engagement activities. This might be, for example, a focus group, an online survey, giving your opinions over the telephone or through social media. There is no commitment required. We will let you know of any future engagement activities, and you can decide if you want to take part.
Join our Tenant Influence Panel (TIP)
An open group with an important role in supporting tenants/leaseholders to help influence and to be actively involved in our consultation processes. Helping us to fulfil our commitment, based on real customer experience. We are committed to offering a flexible approach and practical solutions to involving tenants/leaseholders in our engagement and we can support your involvement to suit your requirements. You can choose how to connect with each other and share information regarding engagement activities, plan and explore training opportunities. Interested - please complete are short survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/g04dAH95R7
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Have your say on social housing in Newcastle
New consultation - Allocations and Lettings consultation
Social housing is in high demand in Newcastle and we need manage it in a way that meets the needs of local residents. We are thinking about making some changes to the way we allocate social housing in the city. This includes changes to our succession policy for existing tenants. Community involvement and public engagement is important to us and we want to know what you think about the proposed changes.
We also want to hear about your experience of applying for and moving into social housing in Newcastle and you can respond to this consultation here.
The consultation period runs from 20/9/2022 to 6/11/2022 and all responses will be considered and used to inform the way in which people apply for council housing in Newcastle. If you would like to talk about this in more detail, please pop along to one of our drop-ins:
- Monday 10/10/2022, 1.00pm - 5.00pm @ West End Library, Condercum Road, NE4 9JH
- Thursday 13/10/2022, 2.00pm - 6.00pm @ Kenton Library, Hillsview Avenue, NE3 3QJ
- Monday 17/10/2022, 1.00pm - 4.00pm @ East End Library, 83 Shields Road, NE6 1DL
- Thursday 20/10/2022, 1.00pm - 4.00pm @ City Library, 33 New Bridge Street, NE1 8AX
Below are the links to the draft policies and a summary of the proposed changes:
Draft Allocations and Lettings Policy
Thank you for taking part - NITV Team
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New consultation - Council homes for victims of domestic abuse
Victims of domestic abuse will often flee from one Council area where they lived, to another for their safety. Councils already understand the special circumstances of victims of domestic abuse when they apply for a Council house and apply appropriate exceptions regarding whether they have a local connection to the area.
The government is concerned that victims of domestic abuse are still being denied access to council homes because they have no local connection to the area where they wish to be re-housed. The government are proposing to introduce laws to ensure Councils can no longer disqualify victims of domestic abuse from Council housing if they don’t have a local connection. These laws will apply to all victims regardless of whether they are living in Council properties, refuge accommodation for people fleeing abuse, private rented housing or homeowners.
The government want to ensure that the application for re-housing relates to a need to move to a new area because of domestic abuse and would like Councils to work together to ensure changes do not create more demand for housing in areas where there is more refuge accommodation, the following options have been proposed:
- A time limit applies to the victim fleeing the abuse and making the housing application, although the government is concerned that placing a time limit does not consider the person’s individual circumstances.
- There must be a connection between the domestic abuse and the housing application in the new area.
What will these changes mean for Newcastle?
- No changes for Newcastle as we are already operating with the view that a local connection is not required.
- Victims of domestic abuse in Newcastle could have improved access to Council homes in other areas.
please have your say here: https://forms.office.com/r/QazKdZC6K9
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Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice
Please view our latest Annual Report
What is it?
Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice (NITV) is a new and genuine conversation between tenants, leaseholders and the council on major issues of interest and concern to people living in Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) properties. Each of the 26,500 YHN tenant and leaseholders will be welcome and able to share their views on major policy changes using their independent voices.
How can you get involved?
There will be lots of opportunities for you to have your say on housing issues. We will use online surveys, social media, pop-up events and work with groups to understand your views. This is really important when policies that affect you - change.
Who is responsible for what?
Engaging tenants and leaseholders in operational housing matters is the responsibility of Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) who manage the Councils housing stock. Any issues concerning individuals or small groups of tenants and leaseholders such as repairs and maintenance, capital works, localised anti-social behaviour, rent and housing allocation queries should be reported directly to YHN through the website https://www.yhn.org.uk/.
The responsibility for strategic engagement lies with the Council’s Fairer Housing Unit (FHU). Strategic engagement includes seeking the views of tenants and leaseholders on changes to the way properties are allocated, proposals to increase rents or other issues as a result of changes in legislation or policy.
The FHU will use NITV to engage and consult tenants and leaseholders when new national or local policies are going to change. They will also use NITV to actively listen to tenants and leaseholders through the Tenant Panel to influence and shape work that affects council housing in the City. Future engagement on strategic housing issues will be delivered by the Council’s Communities Team who can be contacted on nitv@newcastle.gov.uk.
Tenant Panel
An important part of NITV is the Tenant Panel. This group will be made up of tenants and leaseholders from across Newcastle representing different ages and backgrounds. They will be responsible for interpreting the information gathered from all tenants and leaseholders and then presenting it to the FHU. The FHU will use this information to make their decisions which will be fed back to the Tenant Panel and those involved in the engagement process.
The Panel will also be able to shape how tenants and leaseholders across the city are engaged. This will include developing an engagement plan and a digital plan with the help and support of the Communities Team. The intention is that all work should be owned and shaped by tenants and leaseholders to allow them to make their independent voices heard.
If you are interested in learning more about the Tenant Panel or think you would like to join please email the Communities Team on: nitv@newcastle.gov.uk
What’s next?
Recruitment to the Tenant Panel is ongoing so get in touch if you would like to be involved.
You can also follow our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NewcastleIndependentTenantVoice/.
The Newcastle Independent Tenants Voice Fund
Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle recognise the need for tenants and leaseholders to be involved in making decisions about their homes and have identified a funding pot to support participation and involvement. The fund is provided through the Housing Revenue Account and enables local people to be central in developing and influencing housing policy and making decisions about what matters to them, their homes. influencing housing policy and making decisions about what matters to them and their homes.
Who is the fund for?
The fund is open to all tenants and leaseholders living in a Your Homes Newcastle properties. Whether you are part of a locally managed community group or an individual that are looking to make a positive difference in their neighbourhood around housing issues.
The Purpose?
The fund has been designed to encourage tenants and leaseholders to participate and engage in housing policy and practice.
Anyone who wants to be involved in housing initiatives and to use their personal interest and creativity to be involved in decisions around housing issues can participate weather you are an individual or part of a group.
The fund is intended to engage as many local tenants and leaseholders as possible and provide opportunities through training and networking at a grass roots level while building up links and connections and strengthening bonds in communities.
How much is available?
There is £5,000 available that can be awarded to support tenants and leaseholders involvement in influencing decision makers around housing policy and services. If you meet the criteria you can apply for grants ranging between £50 - £500.
What are the funds available for?
• Support tenants and leaseholders to improve their housing knowledge and experience;
• Provide opportunities and resources for training and personal development;
• Help support representatives from neighbourhoods to revitalise their involvement in housing changes;
• Helping tenants and leaseholders to play a leading role in developing housing policy and practice;
• To help raise skill levels and increase housing knowledge so tenants and leaseholders can actively participate in the tenant’s voice panel;
• Training courses relevant to housing policy and practice;
• Attending conferences about housing policy and standards;
• Support with costs around transport, crèche and light refreshments;
For more information please contact the Communities Team on: nitv@newcastle.gov.uk
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