Agenda item

This report introduces the draft Housing Allocations Policy 2025 which replaces current Housing Allocations Policy, last reviewed in 2019. The Housing Allocations Policy sets out how Medway Council allocates available social housing stock in the Medway area, as well as who is able to access the housing register. A summary of changes to the policy is set out in appendix 1.

Discussion:

The Chief Housing Officer introduced the report, she highlighted the principal changes proposed in the policy which had previously been agreed in 2019. The new policy proposed changes in the eligibility criteria raising the financial cap to £63,000 pa and to increase the residency criteria to three years alongside other changes which were detailed in the report.

The following issues were discussed:

Vulnerable groups – in response to a question whether changes in eligibility could negatively affect those fleeing domestic abuse, the Chief Housing Officer stated that those cases were dealt with under the homelessness criteria and would therefore be unaffected by any changes. She added that Care Leavers would also be unaffected as they were the responsibility of the placing local authority.

Banding – the Committee discussed the housing allocations banding criteria, the Chief Housing Officer explained that band A, the highest priority was a small cohort with medial needs or other specific criteria. She added that most residents were placed in bands B or C. Those in Band D would be a lower priority need so it was to be expected that those families to take longer to be rehoused. Another factor which affected how long people remained on the waiting list was applicant preference, for example if an applicant only applied for properties in a particular area, there choice of properties was reduced and it would consequently take longer to be placed in a suitable property

Community Contribution – further information was requested in relation to the community contribution by applicants, the Chief Housing Officer stated that it was proposed that the community contribution required be increased to three years to secure eligibility, this contribution could take many forms such employment, voluntary work or caring responsibilities.

It was asked whether the increase in residency would affect vulnerable groups, the Chief Housing Officer stated the consultation responses had included many requests for residency criteria to be raised to five years, however, officers felt three years was the right balance and noted a commitment to Medway. The Assistant Director Community and Culture added that proposals were based on good practice and legislative requirements, and housing allocation was always based on need. The scope of the policy allowed for some flexibility in decision making to reflect exceptional cases and if Members felt any group had been excluded or disadvantaged this could be reviewed.

Eligibility – a Member commented that a resident had informed him they were deemed ineligible by the service because housing was provided to asylum seekers, the Chief Housing Officer stated that whilst she could not comment on individual cases, this was not the case, to be eligible for housing applicants needed to have settled status and recourse to public funds. She undertook to discuss the case with the Member outside of the meeting.

Band X – the Committee discussed the removal of band X from the register. The Chief Housing Officer stated that band X referred to ineligible applicants whose details had been kept on file. Under the proposals they would be contacted and If the circumstances of these applicants changed then their case would be reconsidered.

Unreasonable behaviour - in response to a question regarding how unreasonable behaviour was assessed, the Chief Housing Officer stated that application forms included questions about criminality and the information provided was checked prior to the offer stage. Any Anti-Social Behaviour in the tenants property or in the vicinity would be flagged.

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Income eligibility – a Member welcomed the changes to income criteria and asked if there were plans to look at income criteria more regularly than the previous six year review. The Chief Housing Officer stated that a significant piece of work had to been undertaken to review how other authorities had calculated income criteria, in particular the percentage of household income related of housing costs. It was proposed that an annual review be undertaken in relation to financial criteria to ensure it remained at an appropriate level.

Local Government Reform – Members discussed whether the policy would be affected by Local Government Reform. The Assistant Director Community and Culture stated that there would be some commonality with policies in neighbouring authorities due to legislation and best practice. The policy was based on current needs in Medway and any successor authority would need to undertake a review in due course.

Decision:

a)       The Committee noted the proposed Housing Allocations Policy and submitted comments to Cabinet.

b)       The Committee requested a briefing note providing further information on the band criteria and the residents in band B and Band C