The Cabinet Member for Housing, Head of Residence Services and Strategic Housing and Health Manager have been invited to attend for this item.

The Chairman welcomed the Cabinet Member for Housing, Head of Resident Services and Strategic Health & Housing Manager to the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the Housing Allocations policy document and drew attention to the report which outlined the findings of the first-year review of the impact of the changes to the allocation of social housing since April 2014.  He explained that the changes had had a significant effect on the public and the housing section of Swale Borough Council (SBC) and noted that there had been 4,500 on the Swale homeless register prior to the changes and this was now substantially reduced.  He stated that feedback from residents was that they were generally supportive of the changes. 

The Head of Resident Services noted that the draft Housing Allocations Policy had been previously reviewed by the Scrutiny Committee and helped to formulate the current draft.

The Chairman advised that he would take the report section by section and he invited Members to contribute.

Page 9 – Background

In response to a query the Head of Residents Services stated that she was happy to add ‘In Swale the demand for social and affordable housing’ in the first paragraph.

Page 11

Part 3 - Choice and Constraints

A Member requested that more up-to-date housing figures and also neighbouring authority housing figures be included. 

In response to queries, the Head of Resident Services explained that the space- saving requirements were in-line with housing standard regulations.  She advised that the reality was that it was not viable for developers to provide four bedroom affordable homes, so it was necessary to look at adapting three bedroom houses.  In response to a query, the Head of Resident Services stated that in order that to ensure all residents could access the Kent Home Choice scheme website they had provided funding for computers which were available at Swale House reception for public use.  She asked Members to contact her if they were aware of any residents not being able to access the service.

Page 13

Part 4 – Eligibility

In response to concerns about the wording for the affordability criteria, the Head of Resident Services explained it was more to protect against those who had deliberately become homeless and that the wording could be improved to clarify this. 

A Member asked if more could be done to ensure that when residents lost a bid on a property they were clear why they had.  The Head of Resident Services agreed that communication could be an issue and suggested that a focus group be formed to ensure improved communication going forward.

In response to queries the Head of Resident Services explained that the effects on housing lists in relation to safe houses and in particular residents fleeing domestic abuse was outlined under Management Moves on page 20 of the Policy.  She confirmed that anti-social behaviour also included how residents interacted with their neighbours and could be looked at locally.  She encouraged Members to contact herself or the Housing Options Manager if they were aware of any such issues in their wards. 

Page 17

In response to a query the Head of Resident Services agreed to clarify the age limit for children of same sex sharing bedrooms.

·         Head of Resident Services

In response to further queries, the Head of Resident Services stated that they were bound by space regulations.  With regard to eligibility following a family split the Head of Resident Services explained that it was usually the parent awarded custody and child benefit that had the bedroom for the child(ren) awarded and it was the housing provider that decided this.

Page 20

Part 8 - Reviews and Appeals

In response to a query the Head of Resident Services confirmed that applicants could instigate a review of their housing application and all applications were reviewed on an annual basis.

The Head of Resident Services agreed to find out for Members how many housing application appeals had been allowed.

·         Head of Resident Services

Members then considered the table on page 2 of the main report:

Refusals           

A Member proposed that the amount of refusals allowed before applicants were removed from the register should be changed from three to two.  This was seconded.

The Head of Resident Services stated that this was possible but there was a risk that it would increase the amount of appeals.

In response to queries, the Head of Resident Services explained that in terms of speeding up the whole housing application process, they had some influence over providers and could discuss with them how this could be speeded up.  She also agreed to speak to housing providers about the issue of those already in housing, deciding that they did not want to move at the last minute and the impact that had on those that were homeless.

In response to queries, the Head of Resident Services stated that mobile home occupants at holiday sites on the Isle of Sheppey being allowed to stay there 10 months had reduced the housing list.  She advised that they would not be able to use holiday mobile home sites to house homeless people.  

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for Housing, Head of Resident Services and Housing Strategy and Enabling Officer for attending for this item.

Resolved:

That the Housing Allocations Policy be endorsed subject to amendments identified by the Policy Development and Review Committee and that the above comments from the Committee be submitted to Cabinet to consider, specifically:

(1)   That housing figures for 2013/14 and neighbouring authorities be included. 

(2)  That the amount of refusals allowed before applicants were removed from the register be reduced from three refusals to two.

(3)  That the Head of Resident Services liaise with housing providers about how the allocation of homes process can be speeded up.