§ 38. Mr. CorbynTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what sources of advice are available to the Church Commissioners on the need of social housing in inner-urban areas. [82617]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe Commissioners retain a portfolio of 1,591 units of residential property, known as the Octavia Hill Estates, in central London. These properties are let on Fair and Assured rents largely to people who are unable to afford market rents elsewhere in the private rented sector. The properties are managed from local offices and all administer a direct access waiting list. There are very few vacancies within the portfolio and the demand for our accommodation always outweighs supply.
Applications for accommodation are received from a variety of sources including personal callers, local authority and HOMES nominations.
Staffs in the local offices are all members of the Chartered Institute of Housing and are in touch with developments in Government Policy in this field.