Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Recommendations:-

1.    That the five proposed amendments to the Allocation Policy detailed below be approved:

(a)  Amend the banding related to homelessness households to award a higher band as detailed in section 2.2.6 of the report.

(b)  Amend  ...  view the full agenda text for item 113

Further to Minute No. 101 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4^th February, 2019, consideration was given to the report which detailed how the Council was required to allocate social housing according to a published Allocations Policy which had been drawn up according to the Housing Act  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Recommendations:-

1.    That the five proposed amendments to the Allocation Policy detailed below are approved:-

(a)  Amend the banding related to homelessness households to award a higher band following a full homelessness assessment as detailed in section 3.2.6  ...  view the full agenda text for item 101

Further to Minute No. 93 this item was deferred to the next meeting of the Cabinet to be held on Monday, 18^th February, 2019 at 10.00 a.m.

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Recommendations:-

1.    That the five proposed amendments to the Allocation Policy detailed below be approved:-

(a)  Amend the banding related to homelessness households to award a higher band following a full homelessness assessment as detailed in section 3.2.6  ...  view the full agenda text for item 93

This item was deferred to an extra meeting of the Cabinet to be held on Monday, 4^th February, 2019 at 10.00 a.m.

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Housing

Strategic Directorate:           Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Consideration was given to a report which was due to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 21 January 2019 in respect of proposed amendments to the Housing Allocation Policy. It was reported that the Council was required to allocate Social Housing according to a published Allocations Policy.

Members noted that Rotherham’s Housing Allocation Policy was last fully reviewed in February 2017. The policy outlined who could seek re-housing through the local authority, the properties they could apply for and how people were prioritised for available homes. There were certain circumstances when the Allocation Policy needed to be adjusted, including when there were legislative changes, if there were changes in supply and demand or when equality data requires a change the way properties were allocated. The five proposed amendments addressed some of those issues and would also help to prevent homelessness earlier, reduce waiting time for households with a medical need and apply consistent approaches within the policy for people who wished to move to a smaller home.

Members welcomed the report and recommendations, applauding the approach to simplifying the process, but raised concerns in respect of the allocation of properties in small communities of older people to disruptive, young people. Reference was made to the problems that this caused those communities, councillors representing those communities and the officers in the Housing Services and the need to respect the rights of existing residents not to be disturbed by new residents who may not be best suited to a particular street or neighbourhood. In response, it was confirmed that officers vet individuals before they were offered a property, with the Area Housing Officer having the final decision in respect of allocating a property to an individual. Where there were concerns, those would be referred to a Head of Service to refuse a property. Tenancy Support Officers were available to assist in such circumstances and handle referrals. It was further explained by the Cabinet Member that properties were allocated on a basis of need, but there were occasions where things would go wrong and individuals would need to be supported through that process.

Following on, Members sought assurances in respect of the processes in place to support existing residents where problems arise from new residents in council housing. In response, it was confirmed that problems did occur and tenancy support officers were crucial in providing assistance to residents in such circumstances. More tenancy support officers had been recruited recently and would, following induction and training, be able to do more work on prevention and tenancy periods, both with Members and local communities.

In response to a question in respect of the allocation criteria for people from outside of the borough it was explained that applicants would have to have family resident in the borough or work within the borough for the previous three years. Eligibility was detailed in the local connection criteria of the policy and applicants would not be eligible if they could not demonstrate a local connection. A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149