Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Service (Housing).

Submitted – A report by the Head of Service (Housing) seeking Executive approval to a proposal to amend the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy and to also undertake a wholesale review of the policy.

RESOLVED:-

To agree to amend the Housing Allocation Policy with immediate effect, soas to incorporate those provisions contained in the attached draft (‘showing proposed amendments for consideration on 10 June 2013’) which amends the bedroom eligibility criteria, under-occupation priority criteria and overcrowding priority criteria, so as to address the compatibility of the policy with the housing benefit under-occupancy penalty amendments.

To agree to amend the Housing Allocation Policy with immediate effect, soas to incorporate those provisions contained within the attached draft, which amend the priority awarded to homeless applicants who are occupying temporaryaccommodation pursuant to section 193 of the Housing Act 1996;

To agree to amend the Housing Allocation Policy with immediate effect, so as to incorporate those provisions contained within the attached draft, which restrict the ability of main dutyhomeless households to exercise choice and preferences in connection with the areas in which they may be offered accommodation;

To agree to the setting up of a Housing Allocation Policy Review Task and Finish Group to work in conjuction with the Head of Service and Housing Services officers, toimplement a wholesale review of the policy.  Elected membership of the Task and Finish Group to be agreed in conjunction with the relevant Scrutiny Committee.