Issue - meetings

Report of the Director for Placemaking and Housing. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader).

A report setting out Haringey's draft Housing Allocations Policy,  and asking Cabinet for approval to consult on the proposed policy.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report. It was explained that the Council was working to develop fairer housing in Haringey. It was stressed that the housing crisis had pushed thousands of families into homelessness and more than 13,000 are on the waiting list for a Council home. It was explained that Haringey had one of the biggest Council housebuilding efforts in London, building hundreds of new social homes for local people every year. It was explained that the Council was seeking to ensure that the allocation of these homes was as fair as possible and that that homes go to those in the greatest need. The Cabinet Member explained that the Council had engaged with residents over the last year on some changes to the current allocation rules and that the proposal was to go out to a formal public consultation.

In response to comments and questions from Cllr Emery, the following information was shared:

• Cabinet Members stressed that those in priority Bands would be contact by multiple means in order to ensure the maximum chance of contact. It was explained that the suggestion to contact everyone by letter would be expensive and given the current financial climate was not deemed the best use of council resources, and that the service would target those who were most likely to be affected by the policy.

• Officers explained that the age differential for the sharing of rooms was part of the consultation of the policy.
• It was explained that the changes to income and savings thresholds would have an impact on the numbers of people on the housing register, but that the changes would prioritise those in most need, and does bring this in line with government guidelines.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.         Note the proposed Consultation Plan

2.         Note the Equality Impact Assessment.

3.         Approve consultation on the draft Housing Allocations Policy (Appendix 1)

4.         Delegate the following to the Director of Placemaking and Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing:

a.               Minor changes to the policy prior to consultation

b.               The timing and arrangements for the consultation including options to combine with the consultation on a Local Lettings Plan for new homes in Ashley Road.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The new policy is needed to update the Housing Allocations Policy and to ensure the policy is legally compliant and remains in line with the Council’s priorities.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED.

Not updating the policy

This option was rejected as the policy has not been updated since 2015 and needs updating to address new priorities and the legal framework.