Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 24, 2024

Purpose: To provide an update on the Allocations Review and new draft policy, and seek approval to go out to final consultation.

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, which sought to inform of an amended approach to the Council’s Allocations Policy and Housing Scheme.   The Head of Housing (People) and the Principal Officer (People) were in attendance to present the information and to answer the questions of the Cabinet Members.   In May 2024, officers had presented to members the outcome of the consultation exercise on the developed high level policy principles to the Housing Allocations Policy.   Following this, legal advice had been sought from a leading public law barristers chambers on the Council’s allocations policy, and amended approach.   Recommendations were to consider moving to a Housing Needs Register. This would be a housing scheme open to those applicants who met the reasonable preference categories (in housing need) and whom the Council had a statutory duty to give priority to housing; with an alternative pathway for those without a housing need.   This amended approach to how the Council’s housing scheme works, was also reviewed by an advisor at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUCH), whom recommended that the council should consider a Housing Needs Only Register and would be ‘beneficial to all applicants and to the Council’.   Resolved that a Housing Needs Only Register approach be agreed and that approval be given to carry out consultation with stakeholders, Registered Providers, and the public on the matter.   Reason for recommendation The new approach would assist the Council to: ·         provide a fair and honest housing scheme which is fit for purpose; ·         support those in most need by providing a more bespoke and managed service; ·         meet its statutory duties and make best use of its nomination rights to available accommodation in the borough; ·         provide an open and honest alternative pathway for those without a housing need; ·         provide a true housing options service for all applicants, aligned with the Connected Services model and the services provided by the Housing Solutions Hub; ·         strengthen the Council’s approach to prevention and homelessness legislative requirements; and ·         target resources where they are most needed.   The Council must undertake public consultation on significant amendments to its Allocation Policy; as required in accordance to the Housing Act 1985.   The consultation would be promoted via the Council’s communications channels and shared to community groups and representatives.   Alternatives considered and rejected: The Allocation Policy had not been updated for a number of years now and over this time there had been a dramatic increase in those applicants to whom the Council owe a statutory duty to and a significant decrease in the availability of social housing accommodation.   In depth analysis of the Housing Register and housing need within the borough had taken place to inform the review, alongside research to understand alternative policy models and those of other local authorities.   External legal advice had also been sought from a leading public law barristers chambers.   Continuing with the current policy approach was not a viable option in order for the Council to meet its statutory duties.