Decision

 RESOLVED: Cabinet;

1)     Approved the adoption and implementation of the proposed Housing Allocation Policy, as set out in Appendix A. and as summarised at 3.3 below.

2)     Delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Housing and Communities to make any necessary minor amendments to the policy to ensure ongoing compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements relating to the allocation of social and affordable housing.

3)     For the purpose of this section, a summary of the proposed changes are:

I.            Succession of Tenancy: Introduce Band B Succession for successors needing alternative accommodation; direct match if unsuccessful after six months.

II.            Local Connection – Eligibility: Change requirement to 3 years out of 5 years residency in WNC area.

III.            Employment – Eligibility: Remove 90-minute commute clause; require proof of permanent employment 16+ hours/week for 6 of last 12 months.

IV.            Immediate Family Local Connection: Close family must have lived in WNC for minimum 5 years continuously.

V.            Supported Move-On: Move applicants from Band A to Band B initially, then to Band A after 12 weeks if no direct offer.

VI.            Homeless Applicants: Only those owed a Main Duty placed in Band A; others allocated to Band B or C based on duty type.

VII.            Living with Family (Single/Couple with dependents): Remove part of the previous Band C criteria; and apply to the application, that after 12 months unsuccessful a property being offered, move to Band B.

VIII.            Band C – Vulnerable Applicants: Rough sleepers who do not make homeless approach Band C; add criteria for verified sofa surfers.

IX.            Band D: Remove criteria allowing applicants who deliberately worsened housing situation to remain; exclude for 12 months, but add a add 12-month exclusion period before reapplication

X.            Offers/Direct Offers/Auto-bid: Allow up to 5 bids per cycle; introduce auto-bid for Bands A, B & C where statutory homelessness duty owed; auto-bid for Care Leavers in Band A, Direct Offers to Band B Succession. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: Applicants with unspent convictions – one direct offer in approved area with support network involvement.

XI.            Shortlisting & Offers: All offers provisional subject to pre-tenancy checks; DV survivors offered properties at least 5 miles away from risk area.

XII.            Award of Higher Band: If applicant meets two distinct criteria within same band, award next higher band.

XIII.            Income Levels: Provide three income thresholds – Single Applicant: £40,000; Single Parent: £50,000; Couples: £60,000.

XIV.            Assessment Period: Increased from 33 to 42 calendar days

XV.            Housing Debt: Maximum £1,000 debt allowed with 12-week payment plan.

XVI.            Applicants in Receipt of Enhanced PIP: Allow bidding on older persons’ accommodation for applicants over 45 with enhanced PIP.

REASONS RESOLVED:

1)     The recommendations enable Cabinet to formally consider and approve the proposed changes to the West Northamptonshire Housing Allocation Policy. This ensures that the Council maintains a robust, transparent, and legally compliant approach to the allocation of social and affordable housing. Approval via Cabinet also provides clear governance, supports accountability, and ensures that the revised policy reflects statutory requirements and best practice.

2)     The Council has a statutory duty under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) to maintain a clear and up?to?date housing allocation policy.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

The Council has the option to retain the current legally compliant housing allocation scheme; however, it does not provide a consistent framework to ensure that households with the greatest levels of vulnerability are systematically prioritised. In particular, the existing approach lacks clarity in how competing needs are assessed and does not adequately reflect the increasing complexity of housing need within the borough. The draft allocation policy has therefore been developed to strengthen access to social and affordable housing for the Council’s most vulnerable residents, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, victims of domestic abuse, individuals at risk of exploitation, and applicants with complex health or welfare needs. By providing clearer priority criteria and a more structured approach to assessing vulnerability, the draft policy supports fairer, more transparent, and more defensible decision-making, while ensuring that limited housing resources are targeted at those with the highest level of need.