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Latest Policy News PDF Print E-mail

Updated March 2010

 

New housing legislation plans

Minister Ritchie has launched a public consultation on new housing legislation. The consultation document sets out plans for cutting social housing tenants' fuel bills, meeting housing need through private rented accommodation and enhancing measures to tackle anti social behaviour. The consultation period lasted until 26 February 2010 and proposals are available here.

Housing Rights Serice and CHNI held a joint consultation event on the legislation on 8th February. You can read the feedback from this event and Housing Rights Service's response to the consultation below.

Response to Department for Social Development Consultation on the Housing Bill Response to Department for Social Development Consultation on the Housing Bill 114.62 Kb

Housing Bill Consultation Feedback Housing Bill Consultation Feedback 97.76 Kb

Organisations represented at Housing Bill Consultation Organisations represented at Housing Bill Consultation 27.45 Kb

 

Housing benefit reforms

The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) has issued for consultation proposals to reform Housing Benefit. The DSD is currently considering implications for this locally and is inviting comments on the DWPs proposals. The deadline for responses is 22 February 2010. Housing Rights Service will be submitting a response and will also brief the Social Development Committee on 4 February 2010.

Department for Work and Pensions Housing Benefit Reform Public Consultation Department for Work and Pensions Housing Benefit Reform Public Consultation 444.51 Kb

Housing Benefit Reform Consultee Letter Housing Benefit Reform Consultee Letter 105.22 Kb


Housing Amendment Bill progress

The Committee Stage of the draft Housing (Amendment) Bill has ended. The dates for the next two Assembly Stages will depend on the Executive Committee approving any amendments which the DSD Minister wants to table. It is aimed that the Bill will receive Royal Assent by Easter. Various interested groups have given evidence on its contents including Housing Rights Service.

Housing Rights Service evidence on the Bill

The Bill's progress

Private rented sector strategy

The DSD has completed its consultation on a new strategy for the private rented sector. Consultees were generally in favour of the proposal, which included a tenancy deposit scheme and a dispute resolution service. There was however a large body of support for the mandatory registration of landlords which was not being directly proposed by the DSD. The final strategy is due to be published in the Spring. The Minister has expressed her intention to introduce a tenancy deposit scheme but has not finalised any other details.

Rent collection and arrears management policy seminar

Some of the presentations from our recent seminar on sharing good practice in the areas of rent collection and arrears management are now available here

 

Useful links

Social Development Committee Forward Work Programme

DSD consultations