Decision

The Assistant Director of Housing Services has approved:
1.a further temporary amendment to the Property Pool Plus Social Housing Allocations Policy for a 12-month period, permitting up to 50% of suitable social housing vacancies that would ordinarily be advertised through Property Pool Plus to be allocated through direct matching to eligible homeless households residing in Temporary Accommodation; and
2. that during the further 12 month period the remaining 50% of suitable social housing vacancies be advertised through the Property Pool Plus system.

Reasons for the decision

Paragraph 4.6.4 of the Property Pool Plus Allocations Policy provides discretion for the Council to undertake periods of direct lettings where necessary to address local housing need and support strategic housing objectives.
On 9 January 2026, the Assistant Director of Housing Services approved a temporary amendment to the Property Pool Plus Social Housing Allocations Policy through the introduction of a six-month Direct Matching Initiative. The initiative permitted up to 50% of suitable social housing vacancies to be allocated directly to homeless households residing in Temporary Accommodation rather than through the standard bidding process.
A review of the initiative has demonstrated significant benefits, including:
• 103 households residing in Temporary Accommodation secured social housing during the pilot period, compared with 95 during the same period in 2025, despite a significant reduction in the overall number of social housing lettings.
• Direct matching accounted for 83 of these successful rehousing outcomes.
• The proportion of social housing lettings allocated to Temporary Accommodation households increased from 24% in 2025 to 38% in 2026.
• Significant improvements were achieved in access to one-bedroom accommodation, where homelessness pressures are most acute.
• Improved throughput within the Temporary Accommodation system and reduced reliance on Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
• Enhanced ability to move on households with complex housing needs and those experiencing prolonged stays in Temporary Accommodation.
• Strengthened partnership working with Registered Provider partners.
• Estimated avoided Temporary Accommodation costs of approximately £1.1 million.
The evaluation concluded that the initiative has delivered positive outcomes for homeless households, the Temporary Accommodation service and the wider Council, and that the challenges identified were primarily related to housing supply constraints rather than the direct matching approach itself.
Homelessness demand, pressures on Temporary Accommodation and the need to reduce reliance on emergency accommodation remain significant. Continuation of the temporary amendment is therefore considered necessary, proportionate and consistent with the Council's Homelessness Strategy, and wider housing objectives.
Accordingly, the Assistant Director of Housing Services has agreed, under delegated powers, to undertake the Direct Matching Initiative for a further 12-month period.
It is anticipated that a 12-month extension of the Direct Matching Initiative will support further reductions in the number of households residing in Temporary Accommodation and contribute to improved flow through the homelessness system. The extension will also provide an opportunity to strengthen homelessness prevention activity, with the aim of reducing the number of households requiring Temporary Accommodation in the first instance.
Additional resources will be required to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Direct Matching Initiative and the increased workload associated with identifying, assessing and matching suitable households to available social housing vacancies. To support this activity, an additional Band F post will be required within the Property Pool Plus Team for a 12-month period at an estimated cost of £32,000. The cost of this post will be met through additional grant funding provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) through the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Grant funding allocation awarded to the Council for 2026/27 to support reductions in the number of households residing in Temporary Accommodation

During the further extension period, the Council will review the operation of the Property Pool Plus Allocations Policy and work with partners across the Liverpool City Region to consider and consult on any potential amendments to the sub-regional policy. This review will explore whether additional provisions could be introduced to provide greater permanent housing priority or enhanced move-on opportunities for households placed by the Council in emergency homeless Temporary Accommodation, while maintaining a fair and transparent allocations framework across the sub-region.

Regard has been had to the other household needs on the housing register and this is why only 50% of the allocation are intended to continue to be allocated under direct match allowing for the remaining 50% of allocations to be eligible to people on the housing register.

Alternative options considered

To discontinue the temporary amended arrangements and revert solely to the standard Property Pool Plus bidding process has been considered.
This option is not recommended due to it resulting in increased lengths of stay in Temporary Accommodation, reduced throughput within the Temporary Accommodation system, increased use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation, higher accommodation costs and fewer opportunities to prioritise vulnerable households and those experiencing the longest stays in Temporary Accommodation