Wednesday
24
April
Changes planned to social housing register
17/09/2021 @ 10:59
Homeless people in Newtown and throughout Powys are likely to be given a priority on social housing in the area following a consultation.
Views are being sought on recommended changes to the Homes in Powys Common Allocation Scheme.
The scheme is used to allocate social housing among public and private sector landlords in the county.
Among the changes is the addition of a Band 2 category which will give priority to people within a Section 75 homeless duty.
The council says it is due to the increase in homelessness as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“All social housing options available in Powys are offered through one Common Housing Register and a Common Allocations Scheme," said Cllr Iain McIntosh, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration.
“Powys County Council operates and manages the county’s Common Housing Register on behalf of Homes in Powys, a partnership of all social landlords offering homes across the county.
“Following a review in December 2020, recommended changes to the Common Allocations Scheme have been proposed and are now available for consultation.”
The specific homeless change states: "Under the Code of Guidance priority can be given to certain additional preference groups, of which homelessness is one. As a result of the pandemic, and the acceptance of everyone as priority need, there has been a huge increase in homeless applications and the number of applicants in temporary accommodation.
"In addition to this, it has recently been announced that the Welsh Government will be introducing revised homeless legislation with regard to priority need and intentional homelessness. This means in effect that the ‘Everyone In’ approach will continue, suggesting that the increased service demand experienced since March 2020 will continue.
"As a result, it is proposed to introduce a new Band 2 category which will give priority to those applicants who are owed a Section 75 (S75) homeless duty. These are cases where we have not been able to prevent or relieve the homelessness and they are deemed to be priority need.
"It is hoped that this will increase move on from temporary accommodation (TA) and enable the TA that has been used from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Registered Social Landlord (RSL) stock to be let as permanent and secure accommodation. This will also help to ensure that stays in bed and breakfast will be reduced to a minimum.
"It should be noted that if those applicants owed the S75 duty are deemed to be “not ready to move” they will remain in Band 5."
The consultation closes on Monday 6 December 2021, with responses welcomed via:
online survey - click here: www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/homes-in-powys-common-allocation-scheme
paper copy – please email housing@powys.gov.uk or call 01597 827464 to request a printed version
For more information about Homes in Powys, visit www.homesinpowys.org.uk
Views are being sought on recommended changes to the Homes in Powys Common Allocation Scheme.The scheme is used to allocate social housing among public and private sector landlords in the county.
Among the changes is the addition of a Band 2 category which will give priority to people within a Section 75 homeless duty.
The council says it is due to the increase in homelessness as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“All social housing options available in Powys are offered through one Common Housing Register and a Common Allocations Scheme," said Cllr Iain McIntosh, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration.
“Powys County Council operates and manages the county’s Common Housing Register on behalf of Homes in Powys, a partnership of all social landlords offering homes across the county.
“Following a review in December 2020, recommended changes to the Common Allocations Scheme have been proposed and are now available for consultation.”
The specific homeless change states: "Under the Code of Guidance priority can be given to certain additional preference groups, of which homelessness is one. As a result of the pandemic, and the acceptance of everyone as priority need, there has been a huge increase in homeless applications and the number of applicants in temporary accommodation.
"In addition to this, it has recently been announced that the Welsh Government will be introducing revised homeless legislation with regard to priority need and intentional homelessness. This means in effect that the ‘Everyone In’ approach will continue, suggesting that the increased service demand experienced since March 2020 will continue.
"As a result, it is proposed to introduce a new Band 2 category which will give priority to those applicants who are owed a Section 75 (S75) homeless duty. These are cases where we have not been able to prevent or relieve the homelessness and they are deemed to be priority need.
"It is hoped that this will increase move on from temporary accommodation (TA) and enable the TA that has been used from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Registered Social Landlord (RSL) stock to be let as permanent and secure accommodation. This will also help to ensure that stays in bed and breakfast will be reduced to a minimum.
"It should be noted that if those applicants owed the S75 duty are deemed to be “not ready to move” they will remain in Band 5."
The consultation closes on Monday 6 December 2021, with responses welcomed via:
online survey - click here: www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/homes-in-powys-common-allocation-scheme
paper copy – please email housing@powys.gov.uk or call 01597 827464 to request a printed version
For more information about Homes in Powys, visit www.homesinpowys.org.uk
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