Purpose

The Buckinghamshire Allocations Policy has been going through a review process. This report is to agree the changes to the policy following a public consultation.

Decision

Buckinghamshire’s Allocations Policy was last updated in April 2022. Since the last policy was implemented, housing demand had changed and the pressures to find appropriate housing for those most in need had increased. This had resulted in an increase of homelessness applications being made, of which a high proportion required the provision of temporary accommodation, as well as an increase in the number of applicants who were registering for housing assistance via the Bucks Homes Choice pathway.  

Legislative changes had also taken place during this timeframe and required incorporation into the revised Allocations Policy to ensure that it was legally compliant, which further supported the need for a full review of the current Allocations Policy in place.   Results from the public consultation, which took place between the 11th July 2024 and 22nd August 2024, showed a broad agreement to all the changes proposed. Appendix One of the report set out the proposal of changes, along with the anticipated impact these changes could have on the register and rationales for the changes. 

RESOLVED –

That the updated Housing Allocations Policy be adopted and implemented.