Issue - meetings

By Councillor Caldwell - EdIndex during the Housing Emergency

“Committee

Notes:

1.       That Edinburgh Council and Housing Associations run EdIndex as a single portal to try and match residents with social-rent properties, with over 24,000 registered applicants (RRTP Aug 23).

2.       EdIndex utilises a points-based system and bidding to match residents to potential homes, and notes that FY22/23 saw 185 average bids per property (EPC Oct 23).

3.       That Edinburgh Council declared a Housing Emergency on 2nd November 2023 which requested progress monitoring and further partnership working with RSLs.

Requests:

4.       A report in three cycles which outlines:

a)       Key statistics from EdIndex over FY 23/24, including:

          a.       number of applicants registered on EdIndex.

          b.       total number of successful and unsuccessful bids in the FY.

          c.        average number of days applicants on different priority tiers.

b)       A full list of partner organisations who are associated with EdIndex and the benefits that EdIndex partners, including the Council, receive.

c)       What alternative systems comparable local authorities use.

d)       A general summation of feedback from applicants over the last year and any relevant mechanisms/proposals to collect feedback from unsuccessful and successful applicants and third sector partners, as well as any proposals to maximise social equity in the system in the context of the Housing Emergency.

5.       The information requested in 4. a, b, and c is appended to the annual ‘Edinburgh in Numbers’ report to ensure transparent public monitoring during the Housing Emergency.

6.       Prior to the publication of the above report, a meeting between any elected members, relevant Place Directorate officers and EdIndex Board members (who wish to participate) is arranged to better understand the successes and challenges around EdIndex in the context of Edinburgh’s wider Housing Emergency declaration.”