Bill Sheffield – Principal Allocations Officer

Visits work Greenwich in the forefront of developing the Visitor’s role in addressing overcrowding issue Greenwich in the forefront of developing the Visitor’s role in addressing overcrowding issue Value of visits is widely recognised – checks/verification, advice & options, sends message to community Value of visits is widely recognised – checks/verification, advice & options, sends message to community Still learning, sharing good practice Still learning, sharing good practice

LBG scheme Visitor employed in April 2008 Visitor employed in April 2008 Housing register data used to identify potentially overcrowded households Housing register data used to identify potentially overcrowded households Visits carried out on all above households Visits carried out on all above households Completion of Home Visit & Options form by Visitor (cont) Completion of Home Visit & Options form by Visitor (cont)

LBG scheme (cont) Decision on award of severe overcrowding priority Decision on award of severe overcrowding priority Applicant notified of decision Applicant notified of decision

Original Objectives-have they been met? Visits completed on all applicants potentially meeting overcrowded criteria. Now concentrate on potential new cases Visits completed on all applicants potentially meeting overcrowded criteria. Now concentrate on potential new cases Use CBL, private accommodation, area schemes to make best use of resources Use CBL, private accommodation, area schemes to make best use of resources Top quartile rating. Additional years funding agreed. Top quartile rating. Additional years funding agreed. Meet local Action Plan targets Meet local Action Plan targets

Expansion of Visitor’s role (1) Crucial to adapt to local needs & priorities Crucial to adapt to local needs & priorities Private rented accommodation-Breathing Space scheme Private rented accommodation-Breathing Space scheme Extension scheme-advice to households & identifying suitable properties Extension scheme-advice to households & identifying suitable properties Development of new & existing checks-most recently access to Academy system Development of new & existing checks-most recently access to Academy system Increased liaison with internal agencies-Council Benefits team (see Academy), CAFT Increased liaison with internal agencies-Council Benefits team (see Academy), CAFT Promotion of SELHP schemes Promotion of SELHP schemes Effective use of CBL. Effective use of CBL.

Expansion of Visitor’s role (2) Under occupation visits Under occupation visits Promoting under-occupation scheme among targeted internal/external agencies Promoting under-occupation scheme among targeted internal/external agencies Seaside & Country Seaside & Country

Visiting Statistics Current 349 applicants with severe overcrowding priority on the housing list of which Tenants 59%, Non Tenants the housing list of which Tenants 59%, Non Tenants 41% 41% April – Sep lets (social housing) to severely overcrowded households. Breakdown very similar to above. Action Plan households. Breakdown very similar to above. Action Plan target 160 target 160 April – Sep visits with an outcome carried out (not including repeat, follow-up or under-occupation visits) from which 61 follow-up or under-occupation visits) from which 61 applicants were awarded severe overcrowding priority applicants were awarded severe overcrowding priority Breathing Space target is 20 moves. 6 moves completed to date. Shortage of suitable private accommodation. date. Shortage of suitable private accommodation. issues. Useful agreement with Hyde-5 year leases issues. Useful agreement with Hyde-5 year leases Extension scheme target is 12 properties-we have received & allocated 3 to date allocated 3 to date