Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

It was resolved –

·                To approve a temporary partial change in the Common Allocations Policy for housing in response to the increase in the number of individuals who present as homeless who have been placed or at risk of being placed in emergency/temporary accommodation.

·                That allocations made during this period for homeless households be approved by the Housing Options Team Manager as these allocations would not adhere to the Common Allocations Policy.

The report of the Head of Housing Services which sought the Executive’s approval to adapt the Common Allocations Policy on a temporary basis to respond to the housing need of individuals in emergency/temporary accommodation was presented.

The Head of Housing Services advised that the Service has seen an increase in the number who require support due to a combination of factors with 42 households in emergency /temporary accommodation during the last week of October, including 12 family households. Officers continue to have a higher caseload because of the increase in presentations and a lack of opportunity to move into settled accommodation. In an attempt to have churn within emergency accommodation therefore and to reduce the need for emergency accommodation, the Service proposes that its allocations process be adapted to allow one of every four properties to be allocated to individuals who are within emergency accommodation or at risk of becoming homeless and not follow the Common Allocation Policy for each allocation. Utilising this approach would ensure that those with the most housing need would be considered sooner and offered suitable housing. The number of such allocations would be monitored on a quarterly basis and a review procedure developed to ensure that appropriate support is provided to maintain the tenancy. If supported, the direct lets approach would be approved by the Housing Options Manager as such allocations are not in accordance with the Common Allocations Policy.

It was resolved –

·                To approve a temporary partial change in the Common Allocations Policy for housing in response to the increase in the number of individuals who present as homeless who have been placed or at risk of being placed in emergency/temporary accommodation.

·                That allocations made during this period for homeless households be approved by the Housing Options Team Manager as these allocations would not adhere to the Common Allocations Policy.