The Committee welcomed Angela George, Chair of the Bromley Federation of Housing Associations and representing Chislehurst and Sidcup Housing Association, Leon Graham, representing A2 Dominion Housing Association, and Tony Morgan, representing Hyde Housing Association.

The Bromley Federation of Housing Associations worked in partnership with the Local Authority to ensure that the 49 housing associations with housing stock in the Borough provided good quality homes and tenancy support to Bromley residents and that strategic objectives around housing were met.  Current challenges for the sector included the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and introduction of the Social Housing Regulation Bill as well as issues arising from cost-of-living pressures, including the management of damp and mould.  There was a requirement for all socially rented housing to be carbon neutral by 2050 and work was underway to assess existing housing stocks and identify what was needed to reach compliance, including new heating systems.  Government funding would meet some of the costs arising from the move to net zero, but it was likely that housing associations would also need to draw on revenue reserves, borrow funds and potentially rationalise some of their housing stocks where conversion would not be cost-effective.

A Member asked what issues were particularly affecting the social housing sector in Bromley.  The Chair of the Bromley Federation of Housing Associations advised that there was a lack of 3–4-bedroom properties in the Borough and that some larger properties were under-occupied by existing tenants.  Whilst current legislation did not require tenants to move to smaller properties, individual tenants could be incentivised to move to a more appropriate property where available.  The representative of Hyde Housing Association noted that the vulnerability of tenants was also an issue in Bromley, and housing associations were working to ensure vulnerable tenants received the support they needed to sustain their tenancies. 

In response to a question from the Vice-Chairman, the Chair of the Bromley Federation of Housing Associations advised that housing associations were required to undertake an annual tenancy audit which included an inspection to assess the condition of the property and identify if it was being sub-let.  An annual gas safety inspection also provided a means by which to detect concerns with a property.  Another Member asked about the remedies available to housing associations where tenants were engaged in anti-social or criminal behaviour and the Chair of the Bromley Federation of Housing Associations explained the duty of housing associations to record and respond to all incidents of anti-social behaviour which could involve agreeing an Acceptable Behaviour Contract with the tenant or seeking eviction.  Tenants involved in criminal behaviour would also be subject to police action and/or criminal prosecution. 

The Portfolio Holder raised a recent case of a Bromley resident who had found it difficult to secure a management transfer despite a serious damp and mould issue in her property and a Member spoke of a case where a Bromley resident was significantly affected by anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of her home.  The Chair of the Bromley Federation of Housing underlined the need for Bromley housing associations to work together to secure management transfers where appropriate and in partnership with the Police, mental health services and other partners where issues were identified.  Another Member highlighted variations in timescales for housing associations responding to concerns reported by Members.  The representative of Hyde Housing Association explained that housing associations were required to meet new consumer standards, including around complaints, and were also regulated by the Social Housing Ombudsman, the Code of which would be circulated to Members following the meeting.  The representative of A2 Dominion Housing Association provided further assurance that complaints were closely tracked within his organisation, including weekly updates to the Chief Executive.  Members were asked to raise future housing issues/casework matters directly with the Assistant Director: Housing and she would refer them to the relevant housing association contact for resolution.

The Committee thanked Angela George, Leon Graham and Tony Morgan for their excellent presentation.

RESOLVED: That the thematic session be noted.