Chichester District Council
Issue

Issue - meetings

Housing Allocations Scheme Review

Meeting: 13/06/2017 - Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 166)

166 Review of the Housing Allocations Scheme pdf icon PDF 57 KB

The committee is requested to a) consider and comment on the proposed amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme set out in the options section of the appendix to this report and b) to note that the proposed options will then go forward for consultation with the Council’s Registered Provider of Social Housing partners.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes).

 

Mr R Dunmall presented the report.

 

The committee made comments, including the following:

 

Option 1 – Refusal of three suitable offers of accommodation resulting in suspension of application

Before the policy is implemented we will be clear with applicants and persuade them to bid only on properties which they would like to be offered. The new Sussex Homemove Partnership IT system will be similar to the Rightmove website with flexibility to create better adverts including multiple photographs, facilities in the area, maps with schools etc. If a property is subsequently found to be not suitable and is part of three properties bid on this be removed from their allocation.

 

Option 2 – Employment in the district increased to two years in line with local connection requirement

People are increasingly working for shorter term contracts due to market factors – will two years be too long a period? We need to move to situation where it is equal for everybody by changing the period of employment to two years to meet the ‘living in the district’ requirement.

 

Option 3 – Applicants of state pension age able to join register to bid on sheltered housing

No concerns.

 

Option 4 – Continuous bidding system (rather than the current fortnightly one) on the Sussex Homemove Partnership IT system

A shortlist is produced at close of bidding ordered by local connection and then by the priority bands; priority is by band and if there are two applicants with local connection on Band A, the applicant who joined the band at an earlier date would take precedence.  

 

Option 5 - Applicants who would be disqualified for joining the housing register are allowed if they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances

No concerns

 

Further comments were made as follows:

 

·             There are two groups of hard-to-let properties. Discussions are held with landlords of sheltered properties and we encourage them to look at meeting future needs so that they don’t suffer void periods. The other hard to let properties are in rural areas because they are isolated or have a bad reputation and have been advertised on numerous occasions with no resultant letting. We have on occasions put a homeless person in these properties; we only have a duty to make one offer of housing to homeless applicants.

·             The definition of sheltered housing has changed. The removal of wardens has had a huge effect for those living in rural areas, therefore it was to be expected that sheltered housing in rural areas was difficult to let. There is a need for larger homes provided as ‘finisher’ homes.

·             Hyde does not appear to be good at clearing up homes quickly and putting them back on the market again.

·             There is an issue with the lettable standard of Hyde properties. People’s expectations have changed and a home rented in the private lettings sector will have good décor, carpets, etc. Hyde should be encouraged to redecorate older properties.

·             All  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166


 

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