Agenda item

To consider a report highlighting the first six months of the implementation of significant changes to the Housing Allocation Policy.

The Committee is invited to consider any potential further overview and scrutiny involvement, bearing in mind that a peer review is currently scheduled for the first week of October 2015, which will include a review of the allocation service.

Nicole Smith, Head of Housing, and Cllr Jonathon Seed were in attendance to introduce the item.

The purpose of the allocation policy was explained as setting a framework for Wiltshire Council and its partners for the registration, assessment and allocation of affordable homes. The allocation policy described how applicants for affordable housing were assessed to ensure that those with the greatest housing need were prioritised for the allocation of affordable housing in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire’s revised allocation policy was fully implemented in February 2015 and remained a choice-based lettings scheme which covered the whole of Wiltshire. 

Previously there had been 20,676 applicants on Wiltshire’s housing register. It was suspected that a large number of these were now inactive or no longer relevant applications, as data had not been cleansed from the system for a number of years. It was also previously impossible to work out how those who best needed housing could be looked after.

Following the changes to the Housing Allocation Policy several thousand responses were returned as no longer at that address or unknown to letters sent out to applicants.

Between 15 and 20 complaints had been received during the reassessment of the 20,676 applications.

Regarding address information issues it was suggested that people should be informed that it is their duty to update their information after joining the housing register. It was explained that 12 months after joining the register applicants would be requested to confirm that their information is correct or update it.

Bidding was explained as not being limited to those with a local connection. Once a shortlist had been drawn those with local connections were prioritised first, followed by those in the surrounding area, and then the rest of Wiltshire.

It was explained that allocations were first extended to local connections, as this comes before bands. Children numbers within the area were also taken into consideration to reduce density.

Local connections were noted as including a permanent employee contract. Local connections were rigorously tested by assessment officers to ensure their legitimacy. An application could be processed in two weeks if information was readily available, but the process would take as long as was needed. It was suggested that the local connection be better advertised as a key factor in the consideration of an application.

The right to buy scheme was noted as reducing available housing stock. Different ways to address this were noted as needing to be looked at, it was explained that suggestions would be welcomed.

It was asked what would happen if an applicant had a strong local connection to a house available in an area, but had already been allocated a house elsewhere. Previously they would have been placed in the bronze band, which was unanimously recommended to be removed through consultation. House Swap and the Open House Market Register were named as options for this situation.

Bids were clarified as being able to be made through electronic or non-electronic means.

Two bedroom properties were noted as being harder to let, as people were unable to afford the rent. A possible solution was to offer housing lets on a shared basis. It was suggested that two bedroom flats should be taken as starter homes for families.

Resolved:

For the report to return to the Environment Select Committee in 6 months to consider the impact of the revised Housing Bill.