The Gosport Council Housing Board is scheduled to meet on 24 September 2025 to discuss housing policy updates, including a new policy for temporary accommodation placements, and revisions to the existing fire safety and asbestos policies. The board will also review the minutes from their previous meeting.

Here are the key items on the agenda:

Housing Policy Updates

The Housing Board is scheduled to discuss and note updates to several key housing policies. According to the Housing Policy Updates report, these updates are intended to ensure that the council meets its legal and regulatory obligations, and to provide a clearer framework for accountability and transparency for residents.

The report states that:

Social Landlords are legally required to have policies in place to provide a consistent framework for managing services and addressing resident concerns, ensuring decisions are fair and proportionate, and effectively manage risks.

The report also notes that a review of the Housing Service policies and procedures identified areas where no formal stand-alone policy existed, or where existing policies needed updating to meet current legislation or regulation.

Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy

The Housing Board will be asked to approve the implementation of a new Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy. According to the report pack, this policy outlines how Gosport Borough Council supports individuals who need temporary housing while they are being assessed or are waiting for a more permanent home.

The council has a legal obligation to provide temporary accommodation to homeless applicants in certain situations. The council is facing high demand for temporary accommodation, with an average of 130 units in use each month in 2025/26. The council aims to ensure that temporary accommodation being offered is suitable, and is allocated equitably.

The report pack states that creating and publishing this policy:

Demonstrates the Councils commitment to the fair and legal allocation of temporary accommodation; Helps provide clarity to customers who use the service about the role that the Council undertakes; Clearly sets out the factors to be considered to ensure the temporary accommodation being offered is suitable, and is allocated equitably.

The policy complies with various national legislations, including the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the Equality Act 2010, and the Children's Act 2004.

An Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) has been completed for the Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy.

Asbestos Policy

The Housing Board will be asked to note the updates to the Asbestos Policy. The policy outlines the council's approach to managing asbestos within its properties to ensure the safety of residents and meet its legal obligations. The reviewed policy has been reformatted to be more succinct and transparent.

The council operates a risk-based approach to managing known Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). The two elements that inform the risk are the condition of the ACM, and the location of the ACM.

The Asbestos in the Home leaflet provides advice to residents on what to do if they are concerned about asbestos in their home.

An IIA has been completed for the Asbestos Policy.

Fire Safety Policy

The Housing Board will be asked to note the updates to the Fire Safety Policy. The policy outlines the council's approach to managing fire safety for residents in its blocks of flats. The reviewed policy reflects changes in legislation, including the Fire Safety (England) regulations Act 2022 and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, along with amendments to the decorated surfaces standard. It has been updated from the approved policy dated June 2021 to reflect a more up to date, succinct and transparent version.

An IIA has been completed for the Fire Safety Policy.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting

The Housing Board will review the minutes from their previous meeting held on 11 June 2025.