1. Our Approach to New Tenancies
Keith Bowman
Accent Group

2. Who are Accent? Formally became one Association in 2016
Accent Nene
Accent South
Accent Yorkshire
Accent North West
Accent North East
Formally became one Association in 2016
Over 21,500 homes owned and managed
Over 35,000 residents
Accent Group Ltd -
Charlestown House
Five regions

3. Our objectives Improving homes Improving communities and lives
Delivering a personal, modern and better service

4. New tenancies – the cost
1,517 tenancies ended in 2015/16
Tenancy turnover – costs an average of £4,500
The business case for supporting new and existing tenants to sustain their tenancy is very strong
However – the challenges are huge
Cost is works, plus rent loss plus anything else. It doesn’t (for example) include the cost of eviction which can be an additional £3k.

5. The challenges? Welfare reforms: Vulnerabilities: LHA Cap Bedroom tax
Universal Credit
Vulnerabilities:
Age
Mental health
Ability to manage
Drugs/alcohol
Financial inclusion – employment and training
Making a house a home:
Getting off to a good start
Decorating
Furnishing
White goods
Day to day:
Getting food
Affording heating
Being connected
Who is out there to help?

6. How does Accent respond?
Tenancy Sustainability Service
Pre and early tenancy assessment
Starter Tenant Process
Targeted referrals – young and those new to social housing
General referrals – any resident any time
And we have a budget!!!

7. Tenancy Sustainability Service
2.6 officers per region
£12k allocation locally – we won’t spend it
Referrals made by Housing Officers
At risks tenancies identified
All NOSP cases referred
All tenancy termination notices referred

8. Tenancy Sustainability Service
Budgeting
Emergency support
Pre tenancy assessment
Tenancy management
Benefits – checks and claims
Making sure rent is paid
Making a house a home
Young guys need handholding
Young women know how to make a home
Beanbag
X box
Ashtray

9. Tenancy Sustainability Service
Support a minimum of 100 customers throughout the year
95% of referrals engaged
95% supported tenancies sustained for 12 months
95% of supported tenants avoided eviction
Turnover Q3 is 188 (7.3%) (308 in )
Terminations under 12 months is 10% (11% in )
Evictions YTD is 11 (15 in )
Average Void Days 11 (10.5 in 2015/16)

10. Pre-tenancy Assessment
Housing Officer and Tenancy Support Officer jointly interview and then complete a risk assessment at the pre tenancy stage
Outcomes Star completed
Applicants have been declined – affordability and/or sustainability
Pre tenancy training?

11. The Outcomes Star 1. Accommodation 1 2 3 4 5 8. Practical life skills
5. Independent 1 2 3 4 5
4. Getting there with support
8. Practical life skills
3. Trying to sort things out
2. Work and learning
2. Accepting help
1. Stuck
7. Money and rent
3. People and support
The Outcomes Star
4. Health
6. Choices and behaviour
5. How you feel

12. Starter Tenancies Sign up Welcome visit 3 Month – TS Service 6 Month
9 Month – ready to promote the tenancy?
12 Month

13. Targeted referrals All NSPs All under 35’s All UC claimants
All tenancy terminations
All new social housing tenants
Tenancies that Housing Officers identify as at risk.

14. Partnerships & Resources
Making Money Count
Credit Unions
Local Assistance Schemes - CHARIS
Charities – CAP, Vicar’s Relief Fund, PWA
Building Better Opportunities
Foodbank
Carezone
Budget – vouchers, goods
People

15. So what? Q3 Information 321 referrals to TS Service
278 (87%) of residents engaged
£6.5k spent
Increased rent income
Eviction savings

16. £100,000 for residents in 2016/17 so far
So what?
Mr X – backdated awards; reduction in outgoings
5 evictions prevented
Rehousings
ASB support
Freeing up Housing Officers
Safeguarding and referrals
£100,000 for residents in 2016/17 so far

17. Questions? & Thank You