Issue - meetings

THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND COVID-19 ON RENT ARREARS

 

 

Meeting: 01/06/2021 - Cabinet (Item 7)

7 THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND COVID-19 ON RENT ARREARS pdf icon PDF 626 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report on the impact of Universal Credit and Covid-19 on Council Housing Rent arrears. The Board noted the report aimed to:-

·       Provide an update on the level of rent arrears for Council Tenants;

·       Outline implemented plans to mitigate against the impact and to support tenancies currently and into the future;

·       Seek approval to undertake court proceedings where all other avenues to engage and support tenancies had failed.

 

The Executive Board member for Housing drew the Board’s attention to the level of rent arrears detailed on page 65 of the report as being £1.537m as at the end of the 2020/21 financial year and advised the figure should be corrected to read £1.193m, an increase of £69k compared to the 2019/20 financial year.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

7.1

To note the current level of rent arrears and the impact of Universal Credit and COVID-19;

7.2

To note the support being provided to mitigate the effects of Universal Credit and COVID-19;

7.3

To confirm the extension of financial support to help tenants in difficulties, where their income had been affected by COVID-19 and other financial hardship, from £100,000 to £200,000;

7.4

To confirm to re-instigate enforcement action and start initiating court proceedings where all other avenues to engage and support tenants had failed.