The Cabinet (Housing) Committee convened to discuss key housing issues in Stockport, including an Allocations Policy Review, a report on Homelessness and Housing Need, and the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan Outcomes. The committee approved the proposed new Council's Housing Allocation Policy, and noted the reports on homelessness and the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan.

Allocations Policy Review

The committee approved the proposed new Council's Housing Allocation Policy as detailed in Appendix 1 - Draft Allocations Policy. The policy proposes several amendments from its last review in 2021, taking into account government announcements, new guidance related to armed forces, victims of domestic violence, eligible relevant and former care leavers, and aiming to maximise the use of available empty properties amidst growing demand and reducing supply.

The proposed amendments to the Allocations Policy include:

• An increased focus on tackling fraud.
• Prioritising applicants with children residing with them on a permanent basis over those with limited care arrangements.
• Increasing the number of direct offers to resolve homeless cases and remove families from temporary accommodation.
• Increasing flexibility for applicants with past rent arrears, recognising increasing rent levels and the cost of living issues.
• Changing the age restriction waiver for 60+ age-restricted properties, allowing applicants with partners up to 10 years younger to be considered.
• Introducing an income threshold beyond which applicants would no longer be eligible for social housing.
• Offering additional priority to bereaved spouses/partners of armed forces applicants.
• Increasing priority for delayed discharges from hospitals and care homes.
• Changing the children at height priority to applicants with children under 12 years.
• Removing automatic eligibility for accommodation offers where there is a relationship breakdown in a council tenancy.
• Extending local connection to applicants with a homeless duty, those fleeing domestic violence, eligible and relevant former care leavers, and applicants from the armed forces.
• Creating a single review process for allocation decisions.
• Strengthening the approach to local lettings policies.

The report Allocations Policy Review - Main Report noted that more than 1.3 million households are on waiting lists for social homes in England, and in Stockport, there are approximately 9,204 households on the housing register, a 45% increase since April 2024. With only 600 properties becoming available for re-letting annually, there is a need to ensure applicants are correctly prioritised.

The policy retains the central objective of allocating properties according to assessed need, reflecting the legal obligation to offer 'reasonable preference' to certain groups of applicants such as the homeless, people with medical or welfare needs or those otherwise living in overcrowded, insanitary, or unsatisfactory circumstances.

The Allocations Policy Review - EqIA stated that the changes signify a gradual enhancement of the allocation process aimed at increasing inclusivity and optimising the effective utilisation of the Council's housing resources amidst a context of exceptionally high demand and an acute shortage of affordable housing.

Homelessness and Housing Need

The committee considered a report providing an update on homelessness and housing need in the borough, and a progress report on the Out of Borough Placement Pilot. The committee was recommended to comment on and note the report.

The report Homelessness and Housing Need stated that Stockport saw the highest ever level of homelessness presentations in 2024/25 with 2757 households seeking assistance, an increase of 7% on the 2569 seen the previous year and 44% higher than in 2021/22. The cost of bed and breakfast accommodation was £150,000 in 2022/3, £624,000 in 2023/4, £1,141,144 in 2024/5 and projections for this year exceeding £2 million.

The report also provided a progress report on the Out of Borough Placement Pilot, which was approved by the Scrutiny Committee for Economy, Regeneration and Housing in November 2024. The pilot was launched in January 2025 to assess the effectiveness of discharging homelessness duties through offers of private rented accommodation.

The report noted that the pilot has been initiated to address unprecedented housing demand, Stockport has become increasingly reliant on hotel accommodation, with costs reaching £1,141,144 in 2024/25 and projections for this year exceeding £2 million. This reflects wider regional and national trends and is unlikely to improve in the near term.

The report stated that the number of private rented properties available for letting in the Borough has reduced significantly from circa 600 pre pandemic to just over 200 in the latest 'snapshot' in June 2025.

Stockport Homes Delivery Plan Outcomes Report 2024-25

The committee considered the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan 2024/25 outcome report and was recommended to provide comments.

The report Delivery Plan Outcomes Report 2024-25 Main Report provided assurance to the Council that Stockport Homes Group (SHG) is delivering against agreed objectives and provides a range of information to demonstrate outcomes from the wide range of services delivered.

The report noted that during 2024, the Council appointed Deloitte to undertake an independent review of the housing management arrangements in the Borough. This led to Deloitte concluding that SHG was a high performing organisation, which offered value for money to the Council. Deloitte's overall recommendation was to retain the current ALMO¹ arrangements and to deliver some changes, via an agreed Action Plan, to meet the strategic challenges being faced.

The report also noted that although the overall performance is strong, it has been noted that certain areas within the borough have lower satisfaction levels and weaker performance. SHG have identified six areas where deep dives into performance outcomes will be undertaken and reported upon. SHG will be reporting to Area Committees to increase performance oversight at a local level and a Task & Finish group has also been established and have already convened a meeting. The six areas are listed as below:

• Town Centre tower blocks including Mottram Street Estate and Beaver & Voewood House
• Heavily / Offerton
• Adswood
• Cheadle Heath
• Lancashire Hill plus Heaton and Norris Towers (tower blocks / blocks of flats)
• Brinnington (tower blocks)

The report also stated that whilst this report is retrospective and looks back at the financial year 2024/25, members can be reassured that the council is working with Stockport Homes in preparation for the introduction of Awaab's Law² on 27 October 2025.

Terms of Reference and Membership of the Cabinet (Housing) Committee

The committee considered a report detailing the decision taken by Councillor Mark Roberts, Leader of the Council on 1 September 2025 to formally establish a Cabinet (Housing) Committee, approve the Terms of Reference (including delegation arrangements) for that Committee, and agree the composition of the Committee. The Committee was recommended to note the report.