Council considers permanent homes for families in temporary accommodation
Flipping process converts temporary housing into permanent tenancies
Homeless families who settle into temporary accommodation could be allowed to stay in the property for good under a “flipping” process being used by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The issue was raised at the council’s tackling poverty, inequalities and housing sub-committee last week.
Abbey Councillor Kim Lowe described how people placed in temporary homeless accommodation can become settled in an area – only to face being moved on.
She also raised concerns about the “stigma” faced by people living in temporary housing, telling the committee: “I’ve actually had a little bit of judgmental stuff towards temporary accommodation. By being a bit flexible, we’re actually meeting the needs of those people. They’re getting a home they’re really happy with.”
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Council housing officer Heather Sloan confirmed the council does have a process in place to convert, or “flip,” temporary properties into permanent tenancies where the right conditions are met.
She said: “The answer is yes, we do actually have a process for flipping properties where someone is settled and the right conditions are around that.”
The housing officer explained a tenant must have lived in the property for at least 12 months before it can be considered that the keys are handed over permanently.
Officers also weigh up local demand for temporary accommodation and whether a like-for-like replacement property can be found. She said: “We have flipped one this year and we flipped two last year. It would be good to be doing more than that, but the restraints on the system at this point in time stop us from carrying that out more than we are at the moment.”
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It was confirmed that carpets, furnishings and white goods provided during the tenant’s time in temporary accommodation remain with the household once the property becomes permanent.
Annandale North Councillor Gail Macgregor asked what work was being done with large rural estates to bring empty properties back into use.
Jamie Little, the council’s strategic housing and regeneration team leader, confirmed the council was working closely with Scottish Land and Estates and property consultancy Savills to offer support and advice to landowners, adding: “We recognise that a number of the estates have some properties that they’re really struggling to utilise.”
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Annandale South Councillor George Jamieson praised the council’s approach to rural housing delivery, highlighting recent projects including the renovation of a former police station in Langholm into four homes, and a single empty property brought back into use in Moniaive for a disabled resident.
He said such projects “can be just as impactful as some of the larger developments.”
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