1. Housing Allocations, Homelessness and Anti-Social Behaviour Stonehouse Community Council 20 th February 2012

2. South Lanarkshire Council Housing & Technical Resources 4 main offices – Hamilton, East Kilbride, Cambuslang and Clydesdale.4 main offices – Hamilton, East Kilbride, Cambuslang and Clydesdale. Stonehouse area managed through Hamilton office.Stonehouse area managed through Hamilton office. January 2012 – 25,367 council properties in South Lanarkshire, 7,584 in Hamilton division, 3,429 in Larkhall, 418 in Stonehouse.January 2012 – 25,367 council properties in South Lanarkshire, 7,584 in Hamilton division, 3,429 in Larkhall, 418 in Stonehouse. 251 council properties across South Lanarkshire are used as temporary accommodation – 41 of those are in Larkhall of which 4 are in Stonehouse.251 council properties across South Lanarkshire are used as temporary accommodation – 41 of those are in Larkhall of which 4 are in Stonehouse.

3. Larkhall and Stonehouse Of the 418 Stonehouse properties 257 are in Stonehouse top and 161 in Stonehouse bottom.Of the 418 Stonehouse properties 257 are in Stonehouse top and 161 in Stonehouse bottom. Between January 2011 and now, there have been 25 new lets in Stonehouse top and 22 in Stonehouse bottom.Between January 2011 and now, there have been 25 new lets in Stonehouse top and 22 in Stonehouse bottom. This represents a turnover of 11% compared with 6.6% across South Lanarkshire as a whole.This represents a turnover of 11% compared with 6.6% across South Lanarkshire as a whole.

4. Lettings plan for Larkhall Area 2010-20112011-2012 TargetActualTargetActual (year to date) Urgent housing need 55-65%61.3%50-60%52.1% Transfer (with need) 5-10%10.5%10-20%15.3% Transfer (without need) 0-5%2.7%0-5% Waiting list 20-25%24.6%20-30%30.6% OC0-5%0.9%0-5%2.1%

5. Stonehouse Lets 1 st Jan 2011- 9 th Feb 2012 47 total lets, of which: 25 urgent housing list25 urgent housing list 10 waiting list10 waiting list 8 transfer list8 transfer list 4 other categories list4 other categories list

6. Stonehouse Lets – Where From? 47 total lets, of which 18 from Stonehouse18 from Stonehouse 10 from Larkhall10 from Larkhall 9 from Hamilton9 from Hamilton 4 from Strathaven4 from Strathaven 3 from East Kilbride3 from East Kilbride 2 from Rutherglen/Cambuslang2 from Rutherglen/Cambuslang 1 from Glasgow1 from Glasgow

7. Allocating Houses Allocate according to letting plan.Allocate according to letting plan. For each vacancy we have reports that tell us about performance so far and therefore indicate which lists we should be considering – who is at the top of the list?For each vacancy we have reports that tell us about performance so far and therefore indicate which lists we should be considering – who is at the top of the list? Officers also consider local needs and have some discretion to look at other lists if this seems more appropriate.Officers also consider local needs and have some discretion to look at other lists if this seems more appropriate. Target to turn round empty properties within 28 days of keys being returned.Target to turn round empty properties within 28 days of keys being returned.

8. Homelessness Homeless applicants apply at local housing office.Homeless applicants apply at local housing office. 2010-11 we had 2,945 homeless applicants in South Lanarkshire, of which 170 were from Larkhall.2010-11 we had 2,945 homeless applicants in South Lanarkshire, of which 170 were from Larkhall. This year to date 107 applicants from Larkhall – projecting 126 total.This year to date 107 applicants from Larkhall – projecting 126 total. Last year 1,248 applications were from households with children – 1,568 children under 16 were homeless during the year.Last year 1,248 applications were from households with children – 1,568 children under 16 were homeless during the year.

9. Reasons for Homelessness 2010/2011 758 – parents can’t accommodate.758 – parents can’t accommodate. 336 – other family or friends can’t336 – other family or friends can’t accommodate. accommodate. 264 – lost private tenancy.264 – lost private tenancy. 86 - rent arrears86 - rent arrears 103 – mortgage default.103 – mortgage default. 442 – marital separation.442 – marital separation. 330 – domestic abuse.330 – domestic abuse. 340 – external violence or harassment.340 – external violence or harassment. 80 – discharge from prison.80 – discharge from prison.

10. Assessing Homelessness Applications 4 Hurdles:4 Hurdles: – Are you homeless? – Are you in priority need? – Are you unintentionally homeless? – Do you have a local connection? Duty to provide temporary accommodation and advice and assistance to all applicants – settled accommodation only if yes to all hurdles.Duty to provide temporary accommodation and advice and assistance to all applicants – settled accommodation only if yes to all hurdles. 2010/11 duty to house 1,860 out of 2,945 applications (63%)2010/11 duty to house 1,860 out of 2,945 applications (63%)

11. Meeting our Temporary Accommodation Duty January 2012 – total of 734 temporary accommodation placements availableJanuary 2012 – total of 734 temporary accommodation placements available This represents 150% increase since 2006This represents 150% increase since 2006 We have traditionally used B&B accommodation when no other option available and this continues to be the caseWe have traditionally used B&B accommodation when no other option available and this continues to be the case However, B&B use reduced significantly:However, B&B use reduced significantly: - £626,898 in 2006/7 - £626,898 in 2006/7 - £492,077 in 2010/11 - £492,077 in 2010/11 - £144,777 (predicted 2011/12) - £144,777 (predicted 2011/12) Intention still to eliminate B&B use altogetherIntention still to eliminate B&B use altogether

12. Danmor B&B Opened July 2011 (previously operated as Sandplaid)Opened July 2011 (previously operated as Sandplaid) Commercial business that we use as we needCommercial business that we use as we need 15 rooms – 9 single & 6 family15 rooms – 9 single & 6 family Emergency accommodation when nothing else availableEmergency accommodation when nothing else available 373 placements up until end January373 placements up until end January

13. Concerns about the Danmor Conflicting information about problemsConflicting information about problems Keen to collect information on homelessness.strategy@southlanar kshire.gov.ukKeen to collect information on homelessness.strategy@southlanar kshire.gov.uk homelessness.strategy@southlanar kshire.gov.uk homelessness.strategy@southlanar kshire.gov.uk Will not be dealt with as complaints, but used to gather informationWill not be dealt with as complaints, but used to gather information Still free to contact Danmor directly (01698 794811) &/or use council complaints procedureStill free to contact Danmor directly (01698 794811) &/or use council complaints procedure

14. Housing Homeless People Duty to make a reasonable offer.Duty to make a reasonable offer. We consider needs, preferences, availability of stock in preferred areas and length of time homeless – need to pick at least one area where chance of housing within 6 months.We consider needs, preferences, availability of stock in preferred areas and length of time homeless – need to pick at least one area where chance of housing within 6 months. One reasonable offer with priority.One reasonable offer with priority. Sustainability – support to under 25s and other vulnerable households.Sustainability – support to under 25s and other vulnerable households.

15. Anti-social Behaviour ASB issues dealt with outside complaints system.ASB issues dealt with outside complaints system. Report to local office in 1 st instance – also hotline number – 0800 3891105Report to local office in 1 st instance – also hotline number – 0800 3891105 Investigated by local office staff in 1 st instance – if not improving or serious investigation is passed to ASIT.Investigated by local office staff in 1 st instance – if not improving or serious investigation is passed to ASIT. Various options – warnings, ABCs, UBNs, ASBOs, NOPs, court action for evictionVarious options – warnings, ABCs, UBNs, ASBOs, NOPs, court action for eviction

16. ASB cases Stonehouse January 2011 to date. 26 ASB complaints in Stonehouse top, 9 in Stonehouse bottom.26 ASB complaints in Stonehouse top, 9 in Stonehouse bottom. 4 of the complaints were regarding new tenants (<1 year) and one was regarding a temporary accommodation unit.4 of the complaints were regarding new tenants (<1 year) and one was regarding a temporary accommodation unit.

17. Outcomes from Complaints No evidence – 11No evidence – 11 Written warning – 4Written warning – 4 Initial warning – 6Initial warning – 6 Notice of proceedings – 1Notice of proceedings – 1 Logged in error/referred on – 4Logged in error/referred on – 4 Abandonment action – 1Abandonment action – 1 Ongoing – 3Ongoing – 3 Resolved – 4Resolved – 4 Information only - 1Information only - 1

18. Addressing Concerns Hamilton housing office in 1 st instance, for any issue regarding allocations, ASB, homelessnessHamilton housing office in 1 st instance, for any issue regarding allocations, ASB, homelessness Repairs to Repairs Centre at Cambuslang gate: 0303 123 1010 - e-mail housing.repairs@southlanarkshire. gov.uk (out of hours/emergency 0800 242024)Repairs to Repairs Centre at Cambuslang gate: 0303 123 1010 - e-mail housing.repairs@southlanarkshire. gov.uk (out of hours/emergency 0800 242024) housing.repairs@southlanarkshire. gov.uk housing.repairs@southlanarkshire. gov.uk

19. If you’re not happy…. If not happy with service use council’s complaints procedure – details from any Q&AIf not happy with service use council’s complaints procedure – details from any Q&A If not happy with how complaint dealt with you can contact the ombudsman as detailed in complaints leafletIf not happy with how complaint dealt with you can contact the ombudsman as detailed in complaints leaflet

20. Any questions or comments?