Cumbria Choice

Victoria Road, Penrith

Affordability assessment for new development at Victoria Road, Penrith

The new development in Penrith consists of 23 new build flats which will be ready to let mid-April 2016.  These properties will be subject to the Local Housing Allowance  from April 2018 or possibly the shared room rate for applicants under 35.

The proposed rent and service charge is likely to mean a shortfall of housing benefit for some customers.  The shared room rate may also leave a shortfall that a customer will need to pay if they are usually eligible for full Housing Benefit.

In order to sustain tenancies in this area, Home Group propose:

• To still let the flats through the usual Choice Based Lettings system in accordance with housing need
• To adhere to the section 106 agreement as outlined in the planning approval
• To prioritise customers who can demonstrate current affordability if the cap was in place