Issue - meetings

The legislation requires local authorities to publish an allocation scheme for determining priorities and defining the procedures to be followed in allocating social housing. This report reviews and updates the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy and Choice Based Letting scheme that was adopted in June 2015.

The legislation requires local authorities to publish an allocation scheme for determining priorities and defining the procedures to be followed in allocating social housing. The Committee received a report reviewing and updating the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy and Choice Based Letting scheme that was adopted in June 2015.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)   Adopt the changes to the Housing Allocation Policy and Choice iBased Letting Scheme.

The Committee received a report reviewing and updating the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy and Choice Based Letting scheme that was adopted in June 2015.

The following matters were considered by the Committee:

a)            Domestic Abuse Act and Rehousing. In response to a question from a Member,the Housing Operations Manager stated the housing needs register is a waiting list and normally cannot address those who have an urgent need for rehousing, explaining that often the more appropriate route for those at immediate risk of domestic abuse is to go through the housing options process. She explained that the policy, however, had been designed to be flexible to allow cases to be considered on a case-by-case basis so as not to create barriers for people wishing to be on the housing needs register.

b)            Care Leavers. In response to a concern raised by a Member, the Housing Operations Manager confirmed that she was happy to add an additional sentence to the policy, under ‘Care Leavers’ on page 18 of the policy, to set out that cases in which a care leaver has passed the age of 21 can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

c)            Single persons and couples property qualification. A Member enquired as to why single people and couples were grouped together, as seen at a) under ‘Financial Resources’ on page 19 of the policy. The Housing Operations Manager explained that due to a low amount of studio properties within Epsom & Ewell, single persons and couples would both qualify for one-bedroom properties and hence had been grouped together accordingly.

d)                  Supporting Documentation Timeframe. A Member enquired as to whether there would be any flexibility within the 14-day timeframe, as set out in the procedure for applying for social housing, on page 24 of the policy. The Housing Operations Manager explained that all applicants receive an email the day after applying informing them of what they need to provide, and the timescales involved. She stated that if an applicant requires additional time, they can request it and it will be noted on their application. She explained that closed applications are able to be reopened at no penalty to the applicant.

e)            Error within Wording of Policy. Following a question from a Member, it was noted that page 73 of the policy contained an error. It was confirmed by the Housing Operations Manager that the second paragraph down on the page should be amended to read ‘…but do not have a local connection with Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Adopt the changes to the Housing Allocation Policy and Choice Based Letting Scheme.