Agenda item

[Report of the Assistant Director for Regeneration. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning.]Report setting out proposed new Housing Allocations Policy in the context of the adopted Housing Strategy following public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, introduced the report which set out a number of proposed changes to the existing Allocations policy following public consultation.

It was a statutory requirement to publish how households will be prioritised for permanent accommodation and this policy was one of a number of policies arising from the new housing strategy to deliver new affordable housing ,to manage demand for social housing, allocate the limited supply of housing to those most in need and in housing crisis.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning stressed that the income thresholds referred to in the report were based on calculations on affordability and there were exemptions for people with disabilities, serious medical conditions or severe mental health need.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning referred to the introduction of the savings threshold which given the low incomes households applying for housing, would exclude very few people.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning advised that there were better incentives included for households that currently under occupy to downsize , with movement now allowed to Band A instead of Band C . This change could potentially increase the supply of larger properties and allow smaller households to move sooner to a smaller property. The policy also provided more equality on re-allocations were there was a decanting process involved.

RESOLVED

1.    To note and consider the feedback from and the response to the consultation conducted on Haringey’s revised Housing Allocations Scheme as set out in Appendix 1.

2.    To consider the contents of the final version of the Equalities Impact Assessment, attached as Appendix 2.

3.    To approve the following amendments to the Housing Allocations Scheme as set out in Appendix 3, and the timetable and implementation for:

·                    The introduction of income thresholds to join the Council’s Housing Register as set out in paragraphs 6.18- 6.26

·                    The introduction of a savings threshold to join the Council’s Housing Register as set out in paragraphs 6.27- 6.30.

·                    Changing the banding for under-occupying households as set out in paragraphs 6.32- 6.36.

·                    Changing the “application” date for applications for Council tenants whose homes are being demolished as part of a regenerations scheme as set out in paragraphs 6.37- 6.41.

·                    Changes to be made in preparation for the ‘Use of Permanent Housing as Temporary Accommodation’ report, and the introduction of the Annual Lettings Plan as set out in paragraphs 6.42 to 6.46.

4.    To approve the arrangements for the authorisation of the revision of the Annual Lettings Plan 2017/18 and future plans as set out in paragraph 6.47; i.e. that that future Annual Lettings Plans are approved by the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning.

5.    To approve the revised Allocations Scheme as set out at Appendix 4.

Reason for decision

Recommendation 3.3 was proposed to address the shortage of housing by focusing resources on those who are least able to find alternative accommodation in the private sector.

Alternative options considered

Other options considered were to continue with the Housing Allocations Policy 2015. This option would fail to address the continued reduction in social housing lettings and the impacts this is having both on families on the waiting list in greatest need and the costs of temporary accommodation to the Council.