Scott Sanders - Director of Housing

The biggest change to the welfare system for over 60 years.....

making the benefits and tax credits systems fairer and simpler

creating the right incentives to get more people into work......

protecting the most vulnerable in our society

delivering fairness to those claiming benefit and to the taxpayer

U.C. CHILD TAX CREDIT INCOME SUPPORT JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE HOUSING BENEFIT EMPLOYMENT & SUPPORT ALLOWANCE WORKING TAX CREDIT

Direct Payments Under Occupation Council Tax Discount Scheme Service Charges Social Fund Administration Benefit Cap DWP Admin Backdating Benefit Temporary absence Under 35’s in private sector DLA to PIP Exempt Accommodation Information Exchange

communication making sure everyone who needs to know, knows! data & systems getting an in depth understanding efficiently data & systems getting an in depth understanding efficiently structures getting the most out of our staff resources structures getting the most out of our staff resources policy & practice changing the way we do things policy & practice changing the way we do things partnerships creating efficiency, sharing expertise & experience partnerships creating efficiency, sharing expertise & experience risk Understanding and managing the scale of the problem risk Understanding and managing the scale of the problem staff welfare supporting through stressful times staff welfare supporting through stressful times training bringing through new skills and abilities training bringing through new skills and abilities

1 in 5 over 65 39,000 households 27% live in social rent 70% in social rent on Housing Benefit 1 in 6 have household member with disability 50% have internet 4 areas in 10% most deprived in Wales Torfaen

1868 Bron Afon & Charter households 9 communities Phased entry - most able first Bank account First Direct Payment 23 July 2012 Extended until December 2013

Communication with tenants – Yes! Communication with DWP admin – No! Support assessments Bank Accounts Exceptions / Alternative Payment Arrangements

Tier One factors – Highly likely / probable need for alternative payment Drug / alcohol and / or other addiction problems e.g. gambling Learning difficulties including problems with literacy and/or numeracy Severe / multiple debt problems In Temporary and / or Supported accommodation Homeless Domestic violence / abuse Mental Health Condition Currently in rent arrears / threat of eviction / repossession Claimant is young either a 16/17 year old and / or a Care leaver Families with multiple and complex needs Tier Two factors - Less likely / possible need for alternative payment arrangements No bank account Third party deductions in place (e.g. for fines, utility arrears etc) Claimant is a Refugees / asylum seeker History of rent arrears Previously homeless and / or in supported accommodation Other disability (e.g. physical disability, sensory impairment etc) Claimant has just left prison Claimant has just left hospital Recently bereaved Language skills (e.g. English not spoken as the ‘first language’). Ex Service personnel NEETs - Not in Education, Employment or Training

Three levels of protection for RSL’s: Decisions about whether tenants should receive DP’s will be made in collaboration with RSL’s If arrears build up to the equivalent of 1 month’s rent the decision to make DP’s will be reviewed If arrears reach the equivalent of 2 months rent, housing payments will be switched to landlord, or managed payments Lord Freud announcements Chartered Institute for Housing Conference 27 th June 2013

Accelerating the rate at which arrears are recovered......”typically, if a claimant is not repaying other debts we would expect to recoup the rent arrears from tenants hitting the two month trigger point within six to nine months. This will help ensure that landlords’ cash flows are protected”.... £650 repaid in 9 months!

5 NOSP’s 6 switched back Significance of non payment 8.5% rent not received V rent due

Staff workload Increasing capacity to retain quality & increase sustainability Staff workload Increasing capacity to retain quality & increase sustainability

Staff workload Increasing capacity to retain quality & increase sustainability Staff workload Increasing capacity to retain quality & increase sustainability

structures getting the best outcomes structures getting the best outcomes staff welfare supporting through stressful times staff welfare supporting through stressful times skills development bringing through new skills and abilities skills development bringing through new skills and abilities communication making sure everyone who needs to know, knows!

core systems ensuring fit for purpose core systems ensuring fit for purpose enhanced analytical software Creating greater efficiency enhanced analytical software Creating greater efficiency data extraction and analysis learning from profiling data extraction and analysis learning from profiling

A couple A person who is 16+ Two children of the same sex Two children under 10 A carer providing overnight care 14% for 1 bedroom 25% for 2 bedrooms

Money Management Debt Advice Digital Inclusion Employment Initiatives Support Networks Community Cohesion Court Service Jam jar accounts

Scott Sanders - Director of Housing