Allocation scheme review consultation

Section

Action taken

Changes

Required

Eligibility and Qualification

Updated

Exclusions for being on the register when ineligible.

Main body of text relating to eligibility transferred to an appendix so can easily be updated without the need to change the scheme.

Many LA’s practice this to keep housing register numbers realistic.

Local Connection

Updated

Cannot join the register without an established local connection.

Most LA’s have some form of local connection criteria to support residents accessing accommodation.

Financial Resources and Affordability

Updated

Inclusion of income thresholds that will exclude an applicant from joining the housing register.

Many LA’s have financial assessments and restrictions in an attempt to preserve stock for those who need it/cannot access other choices.

Saving/Assets/Capital

New Section

Sets a threshold of savings allowed and reviews the disposal of assets.

Many LA’s have savings/assets/capital assessments and restrictions in an attempt to preserve stock for those who need it/cannot access other choices.

Band 4

Updated

Widening of details on deliberately worsening of circumstances and the consequences of this for applicants.

Many LA’s have this section included to prevent misuse of stock and assets.

Advertising of Properties

Refreshed

Will be revisited when new Housing Management system build is underway to make better use of electronic systems and supports.

N/A

Allocation Procedure

Refreshed

To ensure remains legally compliant with Housing Act 1996 and amends.

N/A

Not offering a tenancy to the highest bidder

New Section

Increasing transparency when allocating outside of standard procedures e.g. a flood has occurred, and we need to urgently move a tenant out of their existing property.

Many LA’s have similar flexibility and transparency in their schemes.

Direct Offers

Refreshed and listed as a separate section

Increasing transparency when standard procedures are not in use for allocating.

Many LA’s have similar flexibility and transparency in their schemes.

Penalties for Refusal

Strengthened

The team have seen an increased number of refusals for no identifiable reason therefore the process has been strengthened on penalties as this takes up significant Officer time when allocation properties.

Many LA’s have similar flexibility and transparency in their schemes.

Suitability Criteria

Refreshed

Changes reflecting amendments identified throughout.

N/A

Effective and Efficient Management of Stock

Refreshed and strengthened

Increasing transparency when standard procedures are not in use for allocating.

N/A

Compliments, Comments and Complaints

Refreshed

This section of the scheme was previously linked to the Council’s main complaints process.  This is not the correct and legal path and therefore text has been refreshed to follow rules within Housing Act 1996 and amends.

N/A

Reviews and Appeals

Strengthened

Increasing transparency.

N/A

Equality and diversity

New section

Statement of intent.

N/A

Transfer Applicants

New Section

Consideration to separate transfer policy but legally any tenant who qualifies under a reasonable preference category must be considered under the main allocation scheme.  Section added to allow the council to, where necessary, prioritise a tenant transfer under our landlord function, outside of the main scheme.

N/A

Definition of an ‘allocation’ / Scope of the Scheme

New Section

Inclusion of how an allocation is defined and which types of lettings are excluded  from the scheme.

N/A