Issue - meetings

To adopt the revised Housing Allocations Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which requested adoption f the revised Housing Allocations Policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing presented the report.

The following points were raised:

·       At Appendix A, Section 3.1, South Holland Homes and Welland Homes Ltd were included within the list of partner landlord – why had they been included and what were the implications of them being added?

o   Officers confirmed that Welland Homes had been added to the list in error.  South Holland Homes would remain on the list.

DECISION:

1)    That the revisedHousing Allocations Policy be adopted; and

2)    That minor operational amendments be delegated to the Assistant Director – Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing.  

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing – make no changes and continue to use the policy approved in 2021.  This option is not recommended – it is good practice to update policies on a regular basis and amendments are required due to changes in case law.;

Reasons for decision:

·       To ensure that the Housing Allocations Policy references the most recent legislation, reflects current operational practice and supports the demand on Council services from homeless households.)

To consider the adoption of changes following a review of the existing Housing Allocations policy (report of the Assistant Director – Housing enclosed).

Members considered the report of the Assistant Director – Housing which asked members to consider the adoption of changes following a review of the existing Housing Allocations Policy.

The Assistant Director - Housing introduced the report and raised the following main points:

• Proposed amendments to the existing Housing Allocations Policy 2021 considered major changes within the meaning of the Housing Act 1996;
• Following scrutiny of the proposed policy changes at the current meeting, a formal consultation would take place before the final version was considered by Cabinet in January;
• The policy would remain under review and be regularly updated as appropriate;
• The key updates to the Housing Allocations Policy were outlined at point 2.2 of the report;
• The Housing Allocations Policy 2023 was detailed at Appendix A;
• The proposed amendments to the Housing Allocations Policy were highlighted at Appendix B;
• At the time of the report, 628 applicants were on the Housing Register, within the following bands:
  • 24 applicants were within the emergency band;
  • 71 applicants were within the urgent band;
  • 244 applicants were within the high band; and
  • 289 applicants were within the identified housing need band.

Members considered the proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Policy and made the following comments:

Members referred to the ‘emergency’ band where one offer of accommodation in the district would be made to applicants, and queried the following:

• Who decided which cases were deemed to be an emergency;
• Were applicants consulted about the offer – there was a need for the council to be supportive; and
• What period of notice was given to applicants.
  • The Assistant Director – Housing responded that:

§  The Housing Allocation Team were aware of all information regarding each application and therefore the priority need of cases was assessed according to individual circumstances;

§  One offer would be made in liaison with the applicant however this could be reviewed if any factors had been overlooked; and

§  A reasonable notice period, assessed on a case-by-case basis, was given to applicants – for example, those moving from a hotel could move more quickly than those moving from a property.

·       Members referred to proposed changes to the ‘overcrowding priority’ noted at point 2.2 of the report and expressed concern regarding how ‘overcrowding’ was defined and assessed. In particular, it was important that the nature and severity of overcrowding was individually established during priority assessments.

o   The Assistant Director – Housing responded that:

§  A statutory overcrowding assessment would be undertaken to establish need. Where overcrowding was established, such cases were moved to band 1. This mechanism remained unchanged from the existing policy;

§  The overcrowding priority considered additional vulnerabilities such as welfare and medical needs, rather than being solely based on bedroom requirements, and aimed to balance the increased homelessness pressures faced by the authority whilst ensuring a fair allocation of accommodation; and

§  Members comments regarding the need for clarification and expansion of the ‘overcrowding’ definition was noted.

·        Members asked the following questions regarding accessibility needs of residents and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25