Decision details

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved the following changes:

               i)         The Policy removes Band 4 and moves to a three band system as set out in paragraphs 7-9 of the report.

              ii)         The lower age limit be increased to 18 years as set out in paragraphs 10-11 of the report.

             iii)         The local connection requirement be increased to 7 years, the removal of the employment criteria, and the introduction of a born and bred criteria as set out in paragraphs 12-20 of the report.

             iv)         Stepped financial limits be introduced as set out in paragraphs 21-26 of the report.

              v)         The criteria for armed forces be amended as set out in paragraphs 27-32 of the report.

             vi)         The supported housing quotas be reviewed as set out in paragraphs 33-34 of the report.

           vii)         Time limits for bidding be amended as set out in paragraphs 35-39 of the report.

          viii)         The revised definition of accommodation for live in carers be amended as set out in paragraphs 40 and 41 of the report.

             ix)         The process for managing refusals be amended as set out in paragraphs 42-45 of the report.

              x)         Living in flats with children above ground floor be removed as an assessed housing need as set out in paragraphs 46-48 of the report.

             xi)         The definitions surrounding deliberately worsening circumstances be strengthened as set out in paragraphs 49-52 of the report.

           xii)         The Tied Tenant category be removed as set out in paragraph 53 of the report.

          xiii)         Homeless applicants be added to the banding scheme as set out in paragraph 54 of the report.

          xiv)         Applicants who wish to give up two social housing properties in Harlow for one be placed in Band 2 as set out in paragraphs 55-56 of the report.

B     The revised Allocation Policy be implemented with effect from 1 April 2024 for all new applicants joining the housing needs register, with a phased implementation between 1 April 2024 and 1 October 2024 for existing housing register applicants, aligned to the implementation of the new Allocation IT module.

C     Delegation be given to the Portfolio Holder for Housing to approve a revised Allocation Policy as a Portfolio Holder decision by 1 April 2024 in line with the decisions taken by the Cabinet.