Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the consultation carried out for the draft Housing Allocation Policy.

The Committee received the report on the consultation on the new Housing Allocations Policy, introduced by Rosie Green, Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

The Committee asked what the general response was to the period of transition to the new policy and the appeals process.  The Strategy and Partnerships Manager explained that no major concerns had been raised and people were mainly interested in finding out what housing band they would be in as part of the new arrangements.  Officers had received more questions on the process from service providers and a stakeholder event was being held for anyone wanting to be involved.

The Committee sought reassurance that people coming into the Borough would not be given preferential treatment before Haringey residents on the housing register.  The Strategy and Partnerships Manager advised that whilst the Council had a duty to house those people entering the Borough, people had to demonstrate a local connection. The new Housing Allocations Policy strengthened this requirement.

The Committee would be sent an internet link to the Homes for Haringey web-pages which showed where in the Borough rented and empty properties were situated (Action 119.10).

RESOLVED to note the results of the extensive 3 months consultation exercise, which supported the proposed changes to the way in which applications for housing were administered and prioritised, including the use of housing needs bands, instead of points, as the basis for determining applicants’ relative priority.