A consultation is being launched about the proposed updated housing allocations scheme, which outlines how borough residents in housing need will be prioritised on the Housing Needs Register
Residents, stakeholders and organisations, are being encouraged to respond, with the consultation period closing on 18 December, in 8 weeks time. The updated proposals set out how the council will allocate and let social housing in the borough, which follows executive agreement last month to launch a consultation.
Councillor Yvonne Bear, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “We currently have just over 3000 applicants included on our Housing Register. Making sure we prioritise people correctly is really important and it is right we regularly look at this. Much of the allocations scheme remains the same, with our consultation questions focusing on the proposed changes and we encourage all interested parties to respond to the consultation.”
Feedback is being invited on the revised housing allocation scheme, which includes proposals to introduce a hybrid housing allocations scheme which will mean a greater proportion of lets will be ‘direct offers’, with the remainder being advertised online, via the council’s choice based lettings system. Direct offers will be made to those who have been identified as high priority for housing, with this proposed system envisaged to provide a more responsive service for residents.
The revised housing allocations scheme sets out clearly how the council will allocate and let social housing in the borough, to ensure transparency and fairness in decisions. The proposals will help make it easier for applicants to understand the application process and simplify eligibility and qualification to join the housing register.
The key changes in the proposed scheme are:
- Legislative updates, taking into account the Data Protection Act 2018 and contained within the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Requirements for tenants as the council now once again has its own housing stock and tenants, including matters such decants, successions or under occupation
- Adjustments to the priority awarded to homeless households in order to support a reduction in the use of temporary accommodation
- Revision of the priority bandings
- A hybrid allocation approach and the limiting of choice in some instances
- Adjustments to support the armed forces covenant and domestic abuse bill.
The outcome of the consultation will be reported to the executive for consideration before the update housing allocations scheme is adopted.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.