Issue - meetings

Background:

This report outlined proposals for a new Housing Allocations Policy, the aim of which was to ensure that the limited number of social homes available was allocated to those in the greatest housing need, as set out in the legal definition of reasonable preference. In addition to specifying who was and who was not assisted under the scheme it also set out how to apply for re-housing and the standard of service that our customers can expect.

It was noted that Section 168 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) placed a duty on Council’s to have an adopted Housing Allocations Policy, which sets out how it would allocate social housing in the area. The rules governing the allocation of social housing was mainly set by the Government through primary legislation and the proposed Policy had been developed in accordance with the new Government guidance for local housing authorities, which was published in June 2012.

The main changes to the policy and the rationale for these were summarised within the report.

Members were advised that the proposed Policy had been developed following wide ranging public consultation. Further details of the consultation and engagement were set out in section 6 and Appendix 2 of the report.

Due to the need to undertake a number of administrative and procedural changes to implement the new Policy it was recommended that the new Policy be formally adopted and come into force from 1 August 2013. As part of the transitional arrangements officers would apply the new assessment criteria over that period.

The Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 11 April 2013 and its comments were set out in an addendum report.

It was noted that a Diversity Impact Assessment screening form was attached at Appendix 3 to the report, which showed that a full Diversity Impact Assessment was not required.

Reasons:

Section 168 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002) places a duty on Council’s to have an adopted Housing Allocations Policy, which sets out how it will allocate social housing in the area. The proposed policy has been developed in accordance with the new Government guidance for local housing authorities and to reflect the feedback from a wide-ranging consultation process.

This report outlines the proposals for a new Housing Allocations Policy and the way that the Housing Register will be managed. 

Discussion:

The Head of Strategic Housing Services introduced the report to Members explaining that the Council is required have an allocations policy to set out how it will allocate social housing. He advised Members that there has been a wide public consultation. The policy being proposed would be implemented in phases and would reflect the priorities as set out in national guidance.

A Member commented on the eligibility criteria and in particular the income that is taken into account when deciding if a person or household is likely to exceed £50,000 and what that criteria was? The Head of Strategic Housing Services explained that the wording used for income is general and could include assets, personal income etc.

The Head of Strategic Housing Services also informed Members that when individuals apply to go on the housing list they are asked what connection they have with Medway.

One Member raised the supply and demand balance of the housing waiting list and how this related to the proposed policy, but acknowledged that this would be considered within the in-depth review into Housing in Medway  – demand, supply and affordability, which had been scheduled to begin in August 2014.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:

a)             Recommend the Cabinet to adopt the revised Housing Allocations Policy, attached at appendix 1 to this report, to come into effect on the 1 August 2013;

b)            Recommend the Cabinet to delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, to agree wording changes where these are of a minor nature.