Suzanne Moore

[tufty79]

Final offtopic question - do they have any kind of safeguarding mechanisms or responsibilities towards vulnerable tenants, as social housing providers? And is there a regulatory body that covers this sort of stuff?
Thanks in advance, and ta smokedout for the synchronicity - I wasn't sure where on earth to start asking my questions

 

[purenarcotic]

purenarcotic



Sorry this is off topic but was just something I'd been interested in, obviously no obligation to answer. Do you think this is because of the rules on Universal Credit and the supported housing exemption for housing benefits? I know it was something a lot of the people in the homelessness sector were concerned about - dodgy DSS B&Bs trying to pass themselves off as service providers to be able to continue claiming higher rents for example.

Absolutely. It’s really concerning and we’ve heard some really worrying things (property being withheld from women until they hand money over, sexually inappropriate behaviour from ‘support’ workers and other things which would be too identifying to post on a public forum). I don’t work with men but I don’t imagine it’s significantly better. We all said this was going to happen, but those in power never give a shit, do they.

 

[tufty79]

Just to clarify as well - my 2018 meltdowning and service using disasters were just after I was lecturing people that trans women were women and excluding them from women's services was transphobic. After that, I was saying the same and telling people that my own experience happened but wasn't relevant, so everyone should react the same as me.

And now... I'm working out where I'm at.

<snip>

PN - thank you for doing what you do x

 

[purenarcotic]

Final offtopic question - do they have any kind of safeguarding mechanisms or responsibilities towards vulnerable tenants, as social housing providers? And is there a regulatory body that covers this sort of stuff?
Thanks in advance, and ta smokedout for the synchronicity - I wasn't sure where on earth to start asking my questions

In short, not really. The council are supposed to monitor these things but it’s all very hit and miss. They do have safeguarding policies on their websites, but to what extent they are used and acted upon remains to be seen. We have a list of services we refuse to signpost to. Our CEO does raise stuff and does make what noise she can. Amongst the services we share info so we will get emails from the local youth homeless charity for example warning about x or y service and we do the same.

 

[tufty79]

Thank you - that is exactly what I needed to know.

 

[purenarcotic]

Thank you - that is exactly what I needed to know.

Anytime. And I’m really glad the support is what you need it to be.