Agenda item

(A report by Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services)

The Committee received a report presented by the Group Manager – Housing Services, supported by the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services. The Portfolio Holder for Housing was also in attendance.

Members were advised that recent changes in national guidance and legislation, including the Allocation of Housing (Qualification Criteria for Victims of Domestic Abuse and Care Leavers) (England) Regulations 2025, required updates to ensure compliance. The review had taken a comprehensive approach to improve fairness, transparency, and operational efficiency while aligning with statutory requirements. The Housing Allocation Policy 2021 was attached as Appendix 1 and the Housing Allocation Policy 2025 was attached as Appendix 2 within the report.

The Officer outlined:

·         Removal of local connection requirements for victims of domestic abuse and care leavers up to age 25.

·         Introduction of clearer banding criteria, including time-based progression for Band 1 after 120 days of homelessness duty, additional preference for Armed Forces members, terminally ill applicants, and exceptional risk cases.

·         Financial resource limit of £60,000 and a £500 housing-related debt threshold, with nuanced consideration for domestic abuse-related debt.

·         Strengthened provisions for sensitive lettings, medical evidence requirements (including acceptance of GP patient summaries), and non-cooperation rules.

·         Structured penalties for refusal of offers to reduce delays and void periods.

·         Integration of equality commitments, including the Armed Forces Covenant and monitoring of demographic impacts. The policy had undergone an Equality Impact Assessment to safeguard protected characteristics.

·         Consultation undertaken with housing providers, Lincolnshire County Council, housing consultants, and specialist agencies to ensure the policy is legally robust and operationally effective.

Members welcomed the clarity of the revised policy and raised the following points:

·         Fairness and Transparency: Members supported the removal of local connection requirements for vulnerable groups and noted the importance of clear communication to applicants.

·         Operational Impact: Questions were raised about how the new banding criteria would affect waiting times and whether additional resources were needed to manage assessments. Officers confirmed that streamlined processes would reduce assessment times and improve customer experience.

·         Financial Thresholds: Members queried the £60,000 financial resource limit and £500 debt threshold, asking how exceptions would be applied. Officers confirmed that discretion would be exercised for applicants with disabilities or older persons housing needs.

·         Domestic Abuse and Care Leavers: Members welcomed the strengthened protections for these groups and asked about engagement with support agencies. Officers confirmed ongoing collaboration with specialist services.

·         Sensitive Lettings and Local Lettings Policies: Members emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration with housing associations to address tenancy management and neighbourhood issues, and supported the use of local lettings policies and sensitive lettings where appropriate.

·         Avoiding Clustering: Members discussed the importance of engagement with housing providers and support services to prevent clustering of vulnerable households on new developments. Officers confirmed that registered providers had been consulted extensively.

·         Future Monitoring: Members requested that performance data on allocations, banding decisions, and appeals be included in future reports to ensure transparency.

·         Legislative Compliance: Members noted the importance of keeping the policy under review to reflect any further changes in national legislation.

The Committee agreed that the revised policy provided a robust framework for allocations and supported its recommendation to Cabinet.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Anton Dani and seconded by Councillor Andy Izard.

Resolved:

That the revised Housing Allocations Policy, attached as Appendix 2 within the report, be recommended to Cabinet for adoption.