News
New policy for social housing
Plans to change the way in which social rented housing is allocated have been unveiled.
Until now a points-based system has been used which meant that the higher number of points people had, the more likely they were to be offered a council or housing association home.
It is proposed that the system is changed to a banding system which will mean that people are placed in different bands depending on their assessed need.
At a meeting this week,the Cabinet decided to consult on the new policy.
The plans are for five bands - bands A to E. Band A will include people who need to move in an emergency or because they are a council or housing association tenant and are willing to move out of a family-sized home or specially-adapted home; band B will be for people who have a high level of housing need, down to band E which will include people who have no existing housing need.
Cllr John Bevan, Cabinet Member for Housing, said “We believe this system is clearer and fairer to everyone, as people will be able to see how their housing need compares to others who are waiting.
“By moving to this system people will have a good understanding of their prospects of getting social housing, allowing them to consider alternative housing options at an early stage.
“By targeting social housing more effectively towards those applicants who need it most and those who are willing to give up large and specially adapted homes they no longer need, the council will make the best use of Haringey’s social housing.
“Many other councils already use this system so we know it has been tried, tested and works well. It will also be easier and quicker to operate the new system, saving local taxpayers money.
“We now want to know what people think about our draft proposals .
Consultation on the new Housing Allocations Policy will run until October.
Further information can be found at www.haringey.gov.uk<http://www.haringey.gov.uk/> There will also be roadshows where the policy will be explained and the council will listen to what interested parties have to say. People on the housing register, as well as partner organisations, will be contacted directly as part of the consultation exercise.
Views from the consultation will be presented to councillors when they make final decisions about the scheme. If approved, the new policy is likely to come into operation in January 2011.
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