Elected members will hear that several factors have been considered in identifying potential policy changes since the previous Allocations Policy review in 2020.

These include the circumstances faced since the COVID-19 pandemic, the current cost of living, housing shortages, homelessness, property turnover rates, and feedback from tenants.

Key areas for review

The proposed changes focus on improving the allocation process for vulnerable groups, enhancing tenant support, and boosting the supply of housing following a 10-week consultation process that took place in 2024.

The review also considered the rise in applications from vulnerable individuals, including those experiencing domestic abuse or living with severe illness.

Proposed policy changes

• Automatic bidding for homeless applicants
  Homeless applicants will have automatic bidding activated after 30 days if they haven’t been allocated housing.
   
• Optional automatic bidding
  Vulnerable applicants, like those with disabilities or language barriers, can choose automatic bidding after 30 days if they haven’t been allocated housing.
   
• Direct matching for health needs
  Applicants with serious health conditions will be directly matched to suitable housing to meet their urgent needs.
   
• Restricting housing for domestic abuse perpetrators
  Convicted domestic abuse perpetrators will have restrictions on where they can live to help protect survivors.
   
• New builds for home movers
  New build homes will be offered to existing tenants moving within council housing, freeing up more properties for others. Adapted homes will still be available for people with disabilities.
   
• Pre-termination checks for movers
  Tenants moving out will need to fix property issues before leaving to reduce repair time and get homes ready quicker.
   
• Encourage downsizing
  The Tenants Incentive Scheme will be promoted more to help people in larger homes move to smaller ones, freeing up space for families.
   
• Main Carer policy
  The policy giving priority to the main carer of children will not change.
   
• Support for veterans
  The Council will continue offering housing advice and support to veterans.

Next steps

If agreed, the Council will look to implement the revised Allocations Policy from 1 April 2025.

Karen Algie, Director of Transformation, Communities & Corporate Services, said: "The upcoming review of our housing allocation policy reflects best practice, and aims to ensure we continue to create a fairer, more responsive system for all residents following a detailed consultation process.

“We look forward to elected members discussing a way forward for housing allocations in the future."