The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Health, Cllr Maskell, reported on recent achievements and challenges faced in his portfolio, including impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the Council had taken over the housing register from West Kent Housing Association, there had been an increase in housing register applications, notably during the pandemic. Housing register waiting times had therefore increased due to ongoing demands for more affordable housing and customer reluctance to accept offers into privately rented accommodation. 

Government’s “Everyone In” initiative to get rough sleepers in accommodation during the pandemic had been a challenge as there had been limited temporary accommodation and move-on accommodation. The Housing, Energy and Retraining Options (HERO) team had increased their focus on homelessness prevention.

One of the key aims of the Council was to increase affordable housing within the district. The Council had been working with housing associations to enable this. Rural housing survey work with parish and town councils had continued to explore various sites and applications. Delivery of the plans had been difficult. Officers had been working to put empty homes into use which was highly resource intensive as it had been difficult to get empty homes on the market. Acquisition and development opportunities had been explored through Quercus Housing.

Household adaptations, such as the Disabled Facilities Grants, had been made to allow those with mobility difficulties to move freely in their own homes. Due to Covid-19, and contractors being unable to enter homes, the work in this area was slow compared to the previous year.

The One You Service funded by Kent Public Health had been delivering their services remotely. There had been less customers engaged in the services in the last year, with a reduced number of referrals from General Practice and Medical Services due to impacts of Covid-19. Members were updated on the Health Liaison Board and advised that representatives from NHS services had not been able to attend due to priorities on Covid-19.

Members raised concerns on the aftercare of residents who had been housed by the West Kent Housing Association. The Portfolio Holder encouraged Members to contact him with issues raised by residents so that any shortfalls would be addressed.

It was clarified that what was considered “affordable housing” could be split into two categories: rented housing – which included Social Rented and Affordable Rented; and intermediate housing – which included homes for rent and sale provided at a cost above social rent, but below mark levels such as shared ownership.

As a result of the pandemic, fewer affordable homes would be delivered in the district and concerns were expressed that of the 22 affordable homes expected to be delivered by 31 March 2021, two would be genuinely affordable and would be for use by housing register applicants. The remainder was intermediate housing such as shared ownership.

The Green Homes low-carbon retrofit project on mobile home park sites was in place to make nearly 150 affordable homes more energy efficient and help tackle fuel poverty. It was clarified that people would not be able to refer themselves onto the scheme. 

Following queries, Members were advised that the refurbishing of the existing supported accommodation provision at Vine Court Road by West Kent Housing Association was underway to support accommodation for rough sleepers. Consultation with local residents regarding the property had not taken place, but local members asked to be kept abreast of progress by West Kent Housing Association.

Members were advised that those in a shared ownership scheme who wished to resell would have to offer the property as a shared ownership on the help to buy website first. If the property was not sold after a period of time, then it could be put on the market for open sale.

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder for his attendance.