Declares that the protection to house veterans with disabilities at Kytes Drive has been removed; further that a legally binding covenant should be included into the Kytes Regeneration Project to ensure that new homes to be built will continue to only house veterans, those with disability and the elderly, and their families.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to encourage Anchor Hanover to engage with the council and include a legally binding agreement ensuring that Kytes Estate includes purpose-built and well-maintained rented accommodation to house people over the age of 55, those with disabilities, and veterans, and their families.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Dean Russell, Official Report, 23 October 2023; Vol. 738, c. 698.]
[P002865]
Observations from the Minister for Housing (Lee Rowley):
The Government recognise how crucial supported housing is to those who need it, including people with disabilities.
To ensure that those who have put their life on the line for their country are not disadvantaged in accessing social housing, we changed the law so that those serving in the armed forces, as well as former service personnel with urgent housing needs, are always given “additional preference” for social housing.
More broadly, the national planning policy framework makes clear that local authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community and reflect this in planning policies.
It is for housing associations, as independent private sector organisations, to make their own commercial decisions. They must, however, comply with the standards set by the independent regulator of social housing. This includes the tenant involvement and empowerment standard, which requires landlords to provide their tenants with the opportunity to influence and be involved in decisions that affect them.