Agenda item

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 of the report.

(b)  Amend the downsizing policy to award Band 2 status to Council or Housing Association tenants who are under occupying their home to move to a property with at least 1 less bedroom (a ground floor flat or a bungalow will require a medical assessment)

(c)  Amend the quota of advertised properties in Band 2 from 50% to 60%, reduce the quota of advertised properties in Band 3 from 40% to 30%, and retain the10% quota for Transfers.

(d)  Amend the rule for single people who are Council or Housing Association tenants living in a flat who are expecting their first child to be eligible for family accommodation on the production of the MATB1 form.

(e)  Amend the local connection rule to give a person a local connection if their Grandparents or Primary Carer live in Rotherham and have done so for the last 3 years. There will be a validation process asking the applicant to provide proof of the Grandparent’s address and confirmation that they are in contact with them.

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.