CIH launch team to tackle social housing fraud

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has today launched its new advice team aimed at helping social landlords make best use of their stock through tackling tenancy fraud and providing people in large homes with opportunities to down-size.

The team is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, as part of a wider package of measures announced by Housing Minister Grant Shapps to help social landlords in England meet housing need better. Advice is offered at no cost to housing organisations.

In December 2010, Grant Shapps announced 51 councils would receive a share £19 million to tackle some of the estimated 50,000 unlawfully occupied homes

And in January a share of £13million was allocated to councils from across the country managing the largest number of homes to make it easier for those tenants who want to move from a larger family home to a smaller, more manageable property.

The team of four experts aims to share good practice across the country and will help housing organisations develop strategies to meet housing need better.

Grant Shapps said: "The team of experts at the Chartered Institute of Housing will provide vital help to social landlords - tenancy fraud costs this country billions of pounds, and tens-of-thousands of people who could otherwise be housed are being deprived of a home because of cheats. At the same time there are thousands of tenants in homes that don't meet their needs and want to move - often from a larger family home to a smaller, more manageable property.

"That's why I launched a national crackdown on tenancy fraud, and have given millions of pounds to councils across the country both to bolster their efforts to tackle these cheats, but also to make it easier for those tenants wanting to downsize to do so, giving these residents the chance to start a new life in a home that meets their needs."

Sarah Webb, CIH chief executive, commented: "We are proud to announce a new team of experts to give advice on making the best use of our valuable housing stock. Affordable housing is a scarce resource and we believe that this new team can play an important role in making it go further and in meeting housing need better."