Issue - meetings

The Head of Housing and Community Services presented a report on the Housing Allocations Scheme Review and Update.

The Committee noted that amendments to the scheme were being proposed ahead of the Homelessness Reduction Act that was planned to be introduced next year.  The framework set out how priority was given to those who join the Housing Register.

The Head of Housing and Community Services detailed the amendments to be made as set out in Appendix I to the report.

In response to questions from Members, the Head of Housing and Community Services advised that:-

·  That the number of those families that had previous or current rent arrears equivalent to a minimum of 8 weeks rent were not common but did cause difficulties in nominating to housing providers.

·  The number of exceptional circumstances that occurred where the Head of Housing and Community Services has had to use his discretion to accept an application that does not meet any of the Housing Need criteria had been very rare.

·  Allowing an applicant access to the Housing Register when they are threatened with homelessness at 56 days should not cause difficulties in relation to the regulations related to preventing retaliatory evictions.

·  The sum of £16,000 of capital, investments and savings constitutes having sufficient funds to rent privately or buy a property would include shared ownership.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Scheme be approved.

Voting:  Unanimous