Way Ahead With Wherry meets Chloe Smith MP

Way Ahead With Wherry (WAWW) invite local MP, Chloe Smith to talk about the Governments proposed changes

WAWW Chloe Smith MP Meeting 1

After listening to residents concerns from Patch Panels about the proposed Government changes the Way Ahead With Wherry Executive invited Chloe Smith, Local MP to attend a special meeting on the 01 April 2011 to discuss our concerns related to:

Proposed changes to social housing which currently provides Wherry residents with secure homes which are built and maintained to a high standard and are affordable to those on benefits and low income. Specifically residents are concerned about
- The proposal that new homes and some existing homes will be let on a higher rent, so called “affordable”
- The proposal to offer new tenants a fixed term 2 year tenancy which has significant implications for individuals, communities and for landlords

The changes to welfare benefits and the impact on a high proportion of Wherry residents
The proposal to use the private sector for homeless families without any additional mechanisms for regulating standards and rents

We were very pleased that Chloe was able to confirm

That she supported the principle of social housing;
That changes to security of tenure would not be made retrospectively i.e. will not affect existing tenants;
That there was no strong argument for fixed term tenancies to be 2 years only
That in terms of benefit changes the intention is that no one will be any worse off

Chloe Smith 2

Chloe Smith kindly agreed to provide some further information on:

What changes the government will make in light of the feedback from tenants and housing professionals that a minimum of 2 years for fixed term tenancies is too short
Our concerns regarding the cuts in supporting people funding in Norfolk which particularly affects our sheltered housing tenants
Some details about he new discretionary funds that local authorities will administer and how you the government will ensure the process is fair and easy to use
What steps the government will take to protect vulnerable people from loans sharks and from the risk of being forced to live in poor quality accommodation in the private sector with no controls over rent levels

Chloe Smith 3

If you would like a copy of the minutes or further information please do contact us by email: wayaheadwithwherry@circle.org.uk or contact the Resident Involvement Team on 0800 694 0165 or 01603 595140.

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