delivering promises, improving lives
delivering promises, improving lives
Direct Payment Demonstration Project Rachel Willoughby Wakefield and District Housing
delivering promises, improving lives
Where is Wakefield?
delivering promises, improving lives
Key Facts about WDH • Largest single stock transfer in 2005. • Has responsibility for over 31,000 homes, lived in by over 100,000 people. • 60% of properties are two or three bedroom houses.
• 90% tenant satisfaction.
delivering promises, improving lives
The Direct Payment Demonstration Project • Six project areas with different characteristics and make up. • Runs from June 2012 to July 2013. • Independent external research ongoing.
delivering promises, improving lives
Why did WDH want to be involved in the Demonstration Project?
To understand the potential impact on tenants and WDH.
delivering promises, improving lives
What are we trying to understand? • The impact on Housing Benefit claimants. • The best and most effective forms of support to help tenants to pay their rent. • Develop a definition of vulnerable groups. • Understand other issues that might prevent or discourage direct payment.
• Learn how WDH and other organisations will be affected and look at how we can prepare for this.
delivering promises, improving lives
Wakefield District
delivering promises, improving lives
Project Area Profile • 1,698 tenants included who meet criteria. • Average age – 28 years. • Average tenancy – seven years.
• 26% pay by Direct Debit. • 45% by cash.
delivering promises, improving lives
Tenant Details • 830 (48%) responded to first request for information. • 669 (80%) have provided bank account details.
• 85 (10%) no bank account. • 110 (13%) asked for support and help.
delivering promises, improving lives
Project Implementation • 185 vulnerable. • 29 owed more than eight weeks rent. • 400 put into first payment phase (July).
• Ongoing movement into and out of the project.
delivering promises, improving lives
‘The Switchback’
• Arrears equal to eight weeks rent in period
• No rent paid for eight weeks
delivering promises, improving lives
Welfare Reform Impacts
• Under occupancy.
• Benefits Cap. • Universal Credit.
delivering promises, improving lives
Impact on tenants
New =
= Existing
delivering promises, improving lives
Direct Payment Demonstration Project Rachel Willoughby Wakefield and District Housing
delivering promises, improving lives
Where is Wakefield?
delivering promises, improving lives
Key Facts about WDH • Largest single stock transfer in 2005. • Has responsibility for over 31,000 homes, lived in by over 100,000 people. • 60% of properties are two or three bedroom houses.
• 90% tenant satisfaction.
delivering promises, improving lives
The Direct Payment Demonstration Project • Six project areas with different characteristics and make up. • Runs from June 2012 to July 2013. • Independent external research ongoing.
delivering promises, improving lives
Why did WDH want to be involved in the Demonstration Project?
To understand the potential impact on tenants and WDH.
delivering promises, improving lives
What are we trying to understand? • The impact on Housing Benefit claimants. • The best and most effective forms of support to help tenants to pay their rent. • Develop a definition of vulnerable groups. • Understand other issues that might prevent or discourage direct payment.
• Learn how WDH and other organisations will be affected and look at how we can prepare for this.
delivering promises, improving lives
Wakefield District
delivering promises, improving lives
Project Area Profile • 1,698 tenants included who meet criteria. • Average age – 28 years. • Average tenancy – seven years.
• 26% pay by Direct Debit. • 45% by cash.
delivering promises, improving lives
Tenant Details • 830 (48%) responded to first request for information. • 669 (80%) have provided bank account details.
• 85 (10%) no bank account. • 110 (13%) asked for support and help.
delivering promises, improving lives
Project Implementation • 185 vulnerable. • 29 owed more than eight weeks rent. • 400 put into first payment phase (July).
• Ongoing movement into and out of the project.
delivering promises, improving lives
‘The Switchback’
• Arrears equal to eight weeks rent in period
• No rent paid for eight weeks
delivering promises, improving lives
Welfare Reform Impacts
• Under occupancy.
• Benefits Cap. • Universal Credit.
delivering promises, improving lives
Impact on tenants
New =
= Existing
delivering promises, improving lives
