Local Letting Plan - Berrington Court Phase 2 Letting Plan

Scheme Name

Berrington Court Phase 2, Felix Baxter Drive, Kidderminster

Landlord

Community Housing

Does a S.106 agreement apply to this scheme?

No- see planning condition

Details – Scheme is 100% affordable rent.

Full Address (as advertised)

Berrington Court Phase 2, Felix Baxter Drive, Kidderminster DY11 7FH
65 units of Extra Care on Silverwood’s, Kidderminster

Number, Size, Type and Tenure of units

65 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent.
(27 x 1 bedroomed apartments; 38 x 2 bedroomed apartments)

Reasons for developing an LLP (including evidence where relevant)

The scheme has been developed by The Community Housing Trust, it will require a Local Letting Plan that imposes a slight variation to the Allocations Policy to be able to meet and address funding partner’s requirements.
Please note Worcestershire County Council require 40 units across both schemes (Phase 1 and 2) and therefore have nomination rights for these.

Aims and Objectives of LLP

To ensure the correct mix of residents within the scheme including self funders and those with low, medium and high care needs. It is important to ensure the correct balance so the scheme isn’t inundated with high need cases where adequate care cannot be provided within the resources.
To work to create a settled and sustainable community

Are any allocation restrictions proposed in terms of Home Choice Plus bandings?

No

Details

Are any allocation restrictions proposed in terms of numbers of household members to be allocated to family sized properties? (i.e. different to Home Choice Plus bedroom standard)

Not applicable.

Are any allocation restrictions proposed in terms of ages of children?

Not applicable.

Is it proposed to advertise any properties for priority to Transfer applicants?

No, however there will be a mix of both transferring tenants and applicants.
100% of lettings created by transferring tenants who are in existing stock will go to applicants on the councils housing waiting list , Home Choice Plus.
A maximum of 25% of allocations will be made available to existing Community Housing Tenants, of those

• Tenants in family homes (who meet the ‘age and need’ criteria) will be prioritised, in recognition that tenants already in Category 1 or category 2 properties will have “suitable accommodation to meet their needs”
• Tenants in Category 1 and Category 2 properties will be assessed, and any unmet needs will be taken into consideration when prioritising allocations

Are any other restrictions outside of the Home Choice Plus allocations policy proposed?

Yes
Applicants must be 55 years old and above although there may be an exceptional circumstances waiver available.
Applicants to the scheme will be assessed on the basis of need and eligibility for the scheme outside of the usual HC+ criteria accept local connection.
Across both sites (phase 1 and 2) 60% of all lettings will go to people registered on HC+ and 40 lettings to applicants nominated by Adult Social Care (a separate agreement will be used to manage this process).

The maximum capital threshold will also be waived where it is not possible for the applicant to meet their housing needs through the housing market.
All prospective tenants must be registered on HCP, including owner occupiers – this is to ensure local connection can be established.
Prospective tenants will be assessed in terms of their housing need waiting time on HCP
Offers to owner occupiers will be time limited offers, conditional on them being in a position to move in, by an agreed date. This is seen as important as if a property cannot be sold then we could have to hold a void open whilst we await the sale.
In the first instance an allocations panel will be established to meet and agree first lettings, thereafter nominations will be assessed against this Local Lettings Plan and units will be let accordioning.
The panel will be comprised on representatives from WFDC, WCC (where required) and CH and be held on an agreed timeframe as and when required and will be held until phase 2 if fully occupied.

Date of LLP

17/12/2021

Date of review against objectives

Annual.