The Housing Selection Scheme Consultation Paper - Northern ...

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There is no distinction between larger and smaller bedrooms for housing benefit purposes, for example, a house with one double bedroom and two single bedrooms will be a three bedroom property. The size criteria do not apply to: • those over state pension credit age • those in shared ownership schemes • those in sheltered or supported housing who have support services provided by a not for profit landlord. 2 Otherwise, there are no exceptions to this which means that: • if separated parents share childcare, the child will only be taken account of in calculating the property size for the housing benefit claim of the designated ‘main carer’ – if care is shared exactly equally the main carer will usually be the parent that receives child benefit • parents whose children visit but are not part of the household are not assessed as needing an extra bedroom for housing benefit. • foster children will not be considered when assessing whether or not a home is under-occupied. • couples using a spare bedroom, for example when recovering from illness will still be considered to be under-occupying • disabled people living in adapted or specially designed properties which have more bedrooms than are permitted by the size criteria will have their housing benefit reduced, unless designated as supported ‘exempt’ accommodation. • disabled children who because of their age would be expected to share with siblings, will not be entitled to a separate bedroom. 3 2 This is a particular type of supported accommodation defined for housing benefit purposes as accommodation provided by a non-metropolitan county council in England, a housing association, a registered charity or voluntary organisation, where that body or a person acting on its behalf also provides the claimant with care, support or supervision 3 The judgment in the Court of Appeal decision in the cases of Burnip, Trengove and Gorry concerns size criteria for Local Housing Allowance, including the need for an additional room for children with serious disabilities where it may be inappropriate for them to share a bedroom. It was unanimously held that the size criteria discriminated unlawfully against the three appellants, on grounds of disability, by not including provision to meet their need for an additional room. In light of the fact that leave to appeal to the Supreme Court has been sought the DSD has recommended that, although a decision of the Court of Appeal in GB is highly persuasive, it is not binding in NI and therefore should not be followed at present. Proposals for Changes to the Housing Selection Scheme 6
Key Proposals Ensuring New Tenants are not Under-Occupying The Housing Executive and registered Housing Associations as participating landlords in a Common Selection Scheme recognise that a comprehensive approach to allocations and housing options is a key element to responding to the introduction of Housing Benefit size restrictions for both existing and future tenants (new and current applicants). As Social Landlords we seek, as far as reasonably possible, to allocate accommodation to applicants in line with the Housing Benefit size restriction policy to mitigate any adverse impacts on new tenants and potential financial hardship and risk of arrears incurring next April 2013 when the changes are due to take effect. It is in this context, mindful of the need to make the best use of stock in future allocations and support existing tenants affected by the changes that the Housing Executive has identified a number of rules of the Housing Selection Scheme which require further consideration and propose a number of changes which are deemed necessary to re-align allocation policies with welfare reform. Amendments to Minimum Bedroom Requirements - Schedule 3 of the Rules of the Housing Selection Scheme The Housing Executive’s current allocation policy determines the accommodation needs of applicants based on the Housing Selection Scheme’s Minimum Bedroom Requirements which are contained in Schedule 3 of the Rules. This Schedule is used as the basis by which Allocating Officers decide what is a reasonable offer in line with Rule 57. (A) Changes to Age Criteria The ages at which children are expected to share bedrooms for the purposes of allocations currently differ to the age criteria contained in the proposed size restrictions rules in the forthcoming reform of Housing Benefit. (See Table 1) Proposals for Changes to the Housing Selection Scheme 7
Page 1 and 2: Consultation on Changes to the Hous
Page 3 and 4: Background The Housing Selection Sc
Page 5: Making best use of social housing s
Page 9 and 10: sex will be expected to share up to
Page 11 and 12: Overcrowding Rules The Housing Sele
Page 13 and 14: Many tenants will choose not to mov
Page 15 and 16: Mobility and Mutual Exchange Scheme
Page 17 and 18: Equality Section 75 of the Northern
Page 19 and 20: Summary of Consultation Questions C
Page 21 and 22: How to Respond We would welcome you

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