Safe Haven Project - Introduction

Safe Haven Project - Private Sector Leasing

Introduction

‘Safe Haven’ – Short Life Housing Scope of the Project

Summary

The purpose of this project is to establish a model sub-regional leasing scheme, and produce a toolkit of legal, financial, marketing and risk management materials allowing the project to be rolled out regionally and nationally. It will thus help to inform the Housing Corporation’s future investment strategies.

A leasing scheme is a partnership between the private sector, a housing association (now more often known as a Registered Social landlord (RSL)) and a local authority.

The owners of empty properties provide the homes, the housing association provides the housing management and takes care of day-to-day repairs and maintenance, and the local authority provides the tenants.

Further Information

The objectives of the Project are:

To cater for a range of client groups, reflecting sub-regional priorities.
To provide solutions for specific properties and specific client groups such as rural housing and key workers
Add to the options available to local authorities to address their housing needs
Link in with other strategies such as homelessness, rural needs, Supporting People and empty homes initiatives
Results in a menu of standard financial, legal, marketing and nomination options that can be used in different circumstances to meet the aspirations of local authorities, private landlords and housing associations
Maximises resources by using income streams such as Supporting People and energy conservation grants
Minimises the financial and other risks that have been a barrier to successful promotion of previous schemes
Is properly evaluated so that it can be rolled out on a regional and national basis in subsequent years
The Greater Haven Gateway sub regional strategy identifies the need to explore options for a sub-regional leasing scheme. The sub-region covers the following Council Districts:

Babergh
Braintree
Colchester
Ipswich
Maldon
Mid Suffolk
Suffolk Coastal
Tendring

The project is jointly funded by the Housing Corporation and Colne Housing Society Ltd.

It is recognised that accommodation in the private rented sector is a valuable resource, and private sector leasing offers another housing option to those seeking accommodation.

Private sector leasing enables individual landlords to manage their stock and we want to work with private landlords and LA’s to offer a real alternative.

Further Information

No further information

Downloads

Map of the area that the Project covers
Housing Corporation Sector Study Number 8 – Housing Association involvement in market renting
Housing Corporation Sector Study Number 9 – Housing associations and private sector leasing

External Links

Housing Corporation