The lack of mobility for social housing tenants costs the economy as much as £542m a year. We estimate that 500,000 of the 3.9 million social housing tenants in the UK want to move, but are unable to do so.
As chief executive of Circle, I believe that we have a responsibility to do more than simply provide a roof over our tenants' heads. We are also here to support our tenants and to enhance their life chances, making it easier for them to move to secure employment is just one part of this.
In London, the G15 group of large housing providers is attempting to tackle this problem through a pilot project called London Moves. The scheme will give Londoners a greater range of housing options.
The G15 collectively houses one in 10 Londoners and manages more than 500,000 homes across the capital. Tenants from each of the G15 landlords who are interested in moving will apply for the scheme online. Once registered their landlord will verify their eligibility - currently based on the need to move to obtain or retain a job - allowing them to bid on properties through choice-based lettings. Each of the G15 members is providing about 5% of their void homes in London for this pilot, approximately 190 homes during the year.
The difficulties of moving home can put social housing tenants off applying for jobs if they know that relocating will be necessary and problematic. The majority of registrants for London Moves (82%) are already in work, but are struggling to sustain their employment due to the distances they have to travel to work.
I believe the scheme delivers on two levels. First, it helps London housing providers to quickly fill void properties in the city, helping to deliver the mayor's vision for a pan-London mobility scheme through re-lets of existing social homes. Second, it allows tenants to move to take up work or to be nearer work, improving their quality of life and helping to create sustainable communities in the capital.
The London Moves pilot was developed in just five months - and so far it has been successful. Since its launch in early May there have been 77 registrations, 26 bids for new homes, and the first successful move has been made.
Plans are already in place to roll the scheme out further, allowing moves for other reasons such as downsizing, needing or offering care, or other health reasons.
We hope to share the lessons from this project with many housing providers in the future.
Social landlords still have a large part to play in enhancing the life chances of their tenants. However, London Moves is a step in the right direction, encouraging social housing tenants to sustain employment and increase their mobility to create sustainable communities.
• Tenants of the G15 group can sign up for London Moves here.
Mark Rogers is chief executive of Circle Housing Group.
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