Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 1, 2025

Purpose: To seek Executive approval for the Draft Fareham Housing Allocations policy for adoption.   Under the Housing Act 1996 (as amended). Every local housing authority in England is required to have an allocation scheme that sets out both the priorities for allocating social housing and the procedures to be followed.   In addition to these statutory requirements, local authorities have the discretion to set their own qualification criteria or to give additional preference to other groups, so long as these do not undermine the statutory reasonable preference categories set out in the Act.   The Draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy provides comprehensive information on the allocations process, qualification criteria, background and relevant legislation.  This Policy updates the previous Allocations Policy, adopted in 2020, and updates the information on our website.   At its meeting on 3 April 2025, the Housing Scrutiny Panel approved the document to go forward to Executive.  Following Executive agreement on the 20 May 2025, the Draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy was circulated for public consultation from 4 June until the 18 July 2025.  Copies were sent to key partners and neighbouring local authorities, and those with an open application on the Housing Waiting List.    

Content: RESOLVED that the Executive:   (a)  notes the outcome of the consultation and the changes that have been made to the Policy and accompanying documents;   (b)  agrees that the Draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy, as attached at Appendix A to the report, be adopted;   (c)  agrees to delegate authority to make any amendments needed, such as future updates to legislation or minor clarifications, to the Director of Housing following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing; and   (d)  agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Housing, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, to produce and publish an Easy Read.