Emergency Social Housing Allocations Policy
In this section
- Appendix Two – Section 55 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
- Appendix Three – Local Connection and Community Connection definition and areas
- Appendix Four – Location, type, and size of property
- Appendix Five – ‘Criteria for Letting’
- Appendix Six – Identified Support Needs
- Appendix Seven – Reasonable Offer and Suitable Offer Flowchart
Overview
1.1 This Emergency Social Housing Allocation Policy (hence referred to as “The Policy) has been framed in accordance with section 167(2) of the Housing Act 1996, which permits local authorities to give additional preference to applicants who have urgent housing needs.
1.2 This Policy has been developed by Communities, Homes & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group. It currently replaces the existing Policy for allocating social housing approved by Full Council on 14th December 2016.
1.3 The Task and Finish Group has worked collaboratively to co-produce The Policy, engaging with our Registered Social Landlord (RSL) Partners. The proposals were tested with frontline staff and their feedback has influenced the development of this Policy.
1.4 The Policy for allocating social housing approved by Full Council on 14th December 2016 is therefore replaced by the new, revised policy (from 28 days following County Council approval) to enable the Council and its Partners to use its scarce housing resources to meet the needs of its vulnerable residents and those in the greatest need of housing.
1.5 This Policy sets out clearly interim arrangements for how we allocate social housing in Carmarthenshire, during the suspension period, in a fair and transparent manner.
1.6 The Policy sets out how we will nominate eligible applicants for homes in an area in which they wish to be housed. Where this is not possible, we may offer a suitable home elsewhere that meets their needs.
1.7 The allocation of social housing is governed by the law but reflects certain local priorities. Our local priorities have been developed because of increased demand on the Homelessness Service and on Social Housing in agreement with our Registered Social Landlord (RSL) Partners.
1.8 We operate a Common Housing Register with our RSL Partners. These organisations, together with the Council, constitute the ‘Partnership’ referred to in this document and whose details are available from the Council. This Policy applies to social housing provided by us, Carmarthenshire County Council, and the following participating RSLs:
- Bro Myrddin Housing Association
- Caredig Housing Association
- Pobl Housing Association
- Wales and West Housing Association
1.9 This is to ensure that all applicants applying for social housing have a single application process and are assessed using the same criteria. We work together with the aim to ensure all homes are allocated according to this Emergency Allocation Policy.
1.10 This policy sets out who is eligible for the emergency allocation of social housing, what we consider when we make the decision, and how we allocate and make a reasonable offer of a tenancy. The impact of the implementation of this Emergency Allocation Policy will be monitored and reported.
1.11 This policy must meet our legal responsibilities and has been developed in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (Part 6), the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and the Code of Guidance for Local Authorities: Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness (Welsh Government, 2016) - referred to as the “Code of Guidance”.
