Decision details

Councillor A Arif introduced the report seeking Cabinet approval for two minor amendments to the Council's Housing Allocations Policy following its annual review. The changes are intended to strengthen homelessness prevention and provide appropriate operational flexibility while maintaining the overall principles and priorities of the existing allocations scheme.

Councillor Rydeheard asked a question around forecasting and whether there are any additional costs associated with the policy?

Sian Grant, Director of Housing confirmed that it is really rare that a case doesn’t fit within the criteria and that this only occurs when we have complex cases.

Councillor Vernon queried ‘retiring service attendants’ and whether this would relate to someone who was made redundant rather than retiring.

Councillor A Arif confirmed that there is only one tied tenancy and that the occupant is not affected by redundancy.

Decision(s)

Cabinet:

·         Approved the amendments to the Allocations policy.

Reasons for decision(s)

·         The council has properties it lets to employees such as caretakers or park wardens as part of their employment contract. When these employees retire they lose their service tenancy and are at risk of becoming homeless. In order to prevent them becoming homeless and to ensure they enjoy a planned rehousing move it is recommended that the Allocations Policy is amended to allow for a direct let to a council tenancy at the point of retirement.

·         The policy should reserve discretion to the Director of Housing make direct lets in such circumstances she considers necessary subject to the law and aims of the policy. Such lettings should be very few in number and will not affect overall compliance with the law. 

Alternative options considered and rejected

·         Do nothing and not amend the Allocations Policy. This option has been rejected as it would leave long standing employees at risk of homelessness and will avoid the Director of Housing having to seek cabinet approval for individual direct lettings under the policy.