Decision Maker: Housing Policy Committee

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 29, 2026

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.