Purpose

We are proposing to use an alternative type of
secure tenancy for properties provided under two schemes: 1. South
Sheffield Supported Housing Scheme (currently let on licence) and
2. Local Authority Housing Fund (currently let on a non[1]secure tenancy). It is proposed
that flexible tenancies will be offered for a 2-year fixed term,
with the option of offering a further tenancy afterwards. In
accordance with our current approach tenants would initially be
placed on an introductory tenancy and, upon successful completion,
would be offered a flexible tenancy.

Content

9.1

The Committee considered a report of Executive
Director of Neighbourhood Services which sought approval from the
Housing Policy Committee to implement Flexible Tenancies on the
South Sheffield Supported Housing
Scheme.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy
Committee approves the proposal to implement Flexible Tenancies for
properties let by the Council as part of the South Sheffield
Supported Housing Scheme as detailed at section 1.2.1 of the
report.

 

 

 

 

9.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The current
non-secure tenancy used by the Council does not align with the
purpose of the scheme, which is to provide a genuine home with
support to prepare the eligible cohort for fully independent
housing. The scheme is delivered using partial grant funding and
must operate in line with funding requirements, including the
ability to use properties for other priority groups once initial
housing needs have been met.

 

 

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Continue to use non secure tenancy
agreements.
This would result in the South Sheffield Supported Housing
Scheme continuing to use s.193(2) non-secure tenancies. The
prolonged use of these agreements would not provide tenants with
sufficient security and misrepresents the intention of the Council.
Tenants may seek to challenge the continued use of these
agreements, stating that a secure tenancy should have been offered.
If these challenges are successful, we may need to grant Secure
Periodic Tenancies. This option is therefore not
recommended.

 

 

9.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Offer Introductory and Secure Periodic
(lifetime) Tenancies.
This option is not in line with funding requirements for the
South Sheffield Supported Housing Scheme and therefore not
recommend for this scheme

 

 

9.4.3

Alternative Option 3: Implement Flexible Tenancies for all new
tenancies.
Peer authorities that took this approach reported that, although
it offered some protection against discrimination claims, it became
highly administrative and time-consuming, with limited evidence
that it improved outcomes. These authorities have since stopped
using Flexible Tenancies in this way. For these reasons, this
option is not recommended.