Kent Tenancy Fraud Forum 26th April 2017 Debbie Dansey – Corporate Investigation Services Manager, Ashford BC & National Committee Member: Tenancy Fraud Forum

Social housing fraud is a wicked form of welfare fraud. It is not just about the money: there is a shortage of available social housing, therefore every fraudulent occupation lengthens waiting lists. Every detection gives a family or individual in temporary accommodation a better life.

The LGA have recently acknowledged: ‘Housing shortage forces councils to spend £2 million a day on temporary accommodation’ ‘Almost 75,000 households are currently living in temporary accommodation, including bed and breakfasts, hostels and private rented accommodation. This is bad for families and communities and expensive for councils. This crisis is spreading nationwide. Since 2010, the use of temporary accommodation has gone up 44 per cent in London and 67 per cent across the rest of England.’

What is Social Housing Fraud? Subletting (even to a family member) Abandonment False succession claims Misrepresentation Key selling Right to Buy/Acquire Shared ownership

Tenancy Fraud Forum (TFF) The TFF was launched in April 2012 at the DCLG and was supported by the then Housing Minister - Grant Shapps. TFF are an independent not for profit organization, run by volunteers, which has been established to bring social landlords together in a national forum that focuses solely on social housing fraud. Membership to the forum is FREE!

TFF’s main focus? The TFF’s aim is to bring all social landlords together to work collaboratively. Their mission is to create a network across the country to combat fraud in social housing, acting as a local, regional and national access for best practice, information and guidance.

Sussex TFF One of the most successful regional groups is our neighboring county of Sussex; Representatives from social housing providers across the county meet quarterly. They arrange training and share best practice Membership to the groups is free, campaigns and training are funded by members. The forum reports directly to the TFF national committee and has its own terms of reference.  

Properties Returned - 112 = 0.2% Sussex TFF - Success The group has shared best practice both nationally and regionally and their results reflect this. The results for 7 RP’s within the group which represents 38,985 social homes are as follows; Properties Returned - 112 = 0.2% RTB’s stopped - 85 = 0.3%

261 properties returned and Kent TFF?  Ashford BC aim is to form a Kent TFF in partnership with KHG. Research shows Kent’s social housing fraud work is disparate to say the least. With Kent’s social housing stock of 87,010. (Statistics would suggest that if all RP’s are actively involved in countering social housing fraud, and our results mirrored Sussex we could expect to see) 261 properties returned and 174 RTB’s stopped.

Any Questions? Debbie Dansey Debbie.dansey@ashford.gov.uk Kent TFF?   Any Questions? Debbie Dansey Debbie.dansey@ashford.gov.uk