Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 29, 2026

Purpose: Members approval is required on the final draft Allocations Policy after the second phase of consultation.

Content: 8.1 The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services which set out the findings of the consultation on a new draft Allocations Policy designed to enable more effective and efficient allocation of available housing stock to meet housing need. It also outlined changes to the draft policy which were recommended in response to the feedback.     8.2 RESOLVED: That the Housing Policy Committee: - (a)  Approves the adoption of a new Housing Allocation Policy in the form set out at Appendix 1 of the report; (b)  Agrees that the planned target date for implementation of the new Housing Allocation Policy shall be in September 2026 and grants delegated authority to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee to formally agree the exact date and arrangements for when the new policy shall take effect, including altering the implementation date should that be necessary; (c)  Grants delegated authority to the Director of Housing to undertake all necessary further steps and actions required in order to formally implement the new Housing Allocations Policy; and (d)  Agrees that 12 months after the implementation of the approved new Housing Allocations Policy a review of its effectiveness shall be undertaken and presented back to the Housing Policy Committee for consideration and that thereafter reviews will occur annually.   (NOTE: The result of the vote on the resolution was FOR - 7 Members; AGAINST - 2 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  Councillors Douglas Johnson and Paul Turpin requested that their votes against the resolution be recorded).         8.3 Reasons for Decision     8.3.1 Under part VI of the Housing Act 1996, The Council is required to have an Allocations Policy. The current Allocations Policy has not been reviewed for 10 years meaning it does not reflect the demand for, or supply of social housing in the city. The draft Allocations Policy appended to this report will enable to the Council to make better use of social housing in the city to meet housing needs.     8.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     8.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Minimal changes to ensure the Policy is lawful. This would resolve the issues of legal challenge, but the broader issues highlighted in this report would remain. In particular: ·       The Council would not be able to discharge legal duties owed in a timely manner. ·       OPIL properties would continue to be allocated to households where a person is under 60. ·       Adapted properties would be allocated to households not needing those adaptations and other properties adapted.     8.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Only make changes to the draft policy where the majority of responses were either negative or neutral. This would not reflect the valuable feedback that has been received from expert organisations and would not mitigate potential impacts on residents of Sheffield with comparatively fewer housing options.