No clear way forward on tenancies

Published: 26th May, 2011

• WE are pleased to hear Labour’s cabinet member for housing state his commitment not to use the new fixed-term tenancies (‘We’ll snub fixed-term tenancy plan’, May 19), which the Localism Bill, if enacted, will provide for. 

We agree that long-term stability is crucial for families in the borough and any requirement for tenants to move once such a tenancy ended, say after 15 years, but which could be as little as two years under the bill, would tear into local communities and threaten the social cohesion we currently have. 

These benefits of a healthy society must not be undervalued!

However, in apparent contradiction to this commitment you report, it appears the council is preparing to consult on a proposal for using these fixed-term tenancies as well as the use of private tenancies, instead of affordable social housing, to discharge its duty towards homeless families. 

This seems inconsistent with what Councillor Julian Fulbrook has said. 

It is vital therefore that we have a clear commitment from the whole cabinet as to what is intended. 

If the cabinet does not intend to use these new powers, why are they wasting the public’s time in consulting on this?

I’d also like to see a properly thought through strategy from the Labour administration on how to deal with the large numbers of homeless people and those in overcrowded accommodation. 

As yet, we have opposition to government proposals but no clear way forward from the administration. It looks as if we can expect a proposed strategy before the cabinet meeting of July 20 and I await this with interest.
Cllr Maya de Souza 
Green Party, Highgate ward