Agenda item

To present the report of the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services on the outcome of Anglesey’s Social Housing Allocation consultation undertaken in the period from 17 June, 2019 to 5 August, 2019 was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Head of Housing Services reported that following Executive approval the Housing Service consulted on its Common Allocations Policy in order to identify whether community connection should be included within the policy. Housing Services are keen to contribute towards sustainable communities through ensuring that family and community connections are maintained and it proposed to review the Common Allocation Policy to see if the current policy fulfils that aim. The consultation was undertaken with key partners and stakeholders and it received 114 responses as shown in Appendix 1 to the report with 85% of respondents expressing their support for the inclusion of a community connection within the Common Allocations Policy on the basis that it would strengthen communities and make it easier to provide support to family and friends. There were however some expressions of concern around what constitutes a community connection. A good response was also received to other questions relating to the implementation of the Policy.

The Officer said that the review had also afforded Housing Services the opportunity to look at other issues as summarised in the report. In addition, consideration was given to how connection with a specific area would be defined with the conclusion being that the community and town councils catchment area would meet the local connection requirement that best matches the responses to the consultation.

Based on the consultation outcome, an amended Common Allocations Policy incorporating the following principal change with regard to local connection is provided under Appendix 2 which will be presented to the Executive for final approval:

An applicant will be assessed in accordance with connection to the Town or Community Council which they have stated they wish to live where the empty property is located. An applicant will be considered within their banding in date order. A local connection of 5 years with the Island will still be required to be eligible apart from being in urgent housing nee as defined by the Housing Act.

In response to questions by the Committee, the Head of Housing Services further clarified –

•           That whereas previously only transfers to smaller or larger units of accommodation were considered, like for like transfers can be considered under the amended policy;

•           That the statutory definition of sheltered accommodation has changed; historically sheltered housing was housing where a warden service was provided and where the age criteria stipulated persons of 60 years of age or over. As the nature of sheltered housing has changed, an element of flexibility has been introduced with such accommodation now covering a range of criteria e.g. persons aged 55 and over, persons aged 60 and over, individuals with a registered disability etc.

•           That the housing stock is most lacking in 4 bedroom accommodation with only 67 such units currently available although in recognition of the need, the Authority is developing 4 bedroom units as part of its new housing developments. The Authority has developed a strategy to encourage individuals/couples who are in housing units that are larger than their needs to downsize by also developing bungalows as part of new council housing. The Authority also recognises the need for 1 and 2 bedroom accommodation/units for single persons. The development of smaller units is potentially more problematic as these units have to have sufficient floor space to enable people live in them comfortably and for them not to be regarded as temporary accommodation.

•           That in communities where there is a shortage of land for development, the Authority can utilise exempted land for developing affordable housing. The Housing Service’s social housing waiting list might not fully reflect the need in smaller rural villages so where land is identified, the services of a rural housing facilitator can be procured to establish the extent of the land available in the area and whether there is a desire locally to see affordable housing being developed.

Having considered the consultation process and responses, the Committee was satisfied that the process had been sufficient and that the changes to the Common Allocations Policy were acceptable based on the responses received. It was therefore resolved to recommend the revised Common Allocations Policy for adoption by the Executive.

NO ADDITIONAL ACTION WAS PROPOSED