Agenda item - Housing Allocations review

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Agenda item

Housing Allocations review

Minutes:

23.1         Officers presented the report and outlined the new allocations policy. There were four queues within the allocations policy, each queue was allocated a given a percentage allocation of properties including: homeless (40%), transfers (30%), home-seekers (20%) and council’s interests (10%). The replaced banding would allow the allocations process to work faster.

 

23.2         Residents raised they should have been able to move within the scheme and their communities without having to be re-entered into the allocation lists. Residents stated that it was important for the housing allocation policy to allow for residents moving within scheme as this would enable people to move within scheme meaning they could live in more suitable accommodation close to their established support networks

 

23.3         Officers responded that a resident whose needs became more severe would be a priority when shortlisted which was the purpose of the Band A which was proposed in the new policy. Residents could also agree to swap homes within schemes.

 

23.4         In response to residents, Officers stated that they would investigate any schemes where Residents felt age restrictions had previously applied and were being enforced. However Officers added that some historically over 55 blocks were no longer age restricted as equalities legislation had made this difficult to justify.

 

23.5         Residents raised concerns for tenants with changing situations. If a very elderly resident wanted to move downstairs, residents questioned if they would have to already be on the allocation list.

 

23.6         In response to Residents Officers confirmed if a block was subject to Right-to Buy there was no limit on the number of properties in the block that could become leasehold properties.

 

23.7         Resident stated that they were concerned that the Council was not doing enough to preserve good quality furniture and carpets from the homes of Residents that had passed away.

 

23.8         Officers responded that they did have re-use and recycling in place for furniture left in properties but that there was limited capacity to store item and when this store is full they may need to dispose of usable furniture. However Officers acknowledged that they support given to new Residents in terms of furniture provided could be improved.

 

23.9         The Chair stated that if Residents had concerns about the new policy that had not been addressed in the meeting they could contact him or any other member of the Housing & New Homes Committee.

 

23.10      RESOLVED: That the Panel noted the report.

Supporting documents:

 


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