Housing, Homelessness and Benefits Strategy - Basingstoke and ...

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Return to Contentsbalanced and sustainable communities whilst also addressingthe requirement to meet urgent housing needs. The Council hasa statutory responsibility to operate a scheme of allocations inaccordance with criteria that are set out in Part 6 of the Housing Act1996. The Government has also set target for all local authorities todeliver a choice based method of allocating properties Choice BasedLettings (CBL) by 2010.The Council commenced a wholesale review of the allocationsscheme in 2005, in recognition that it would need to develop asystem which would be more compatible with CBL. The currentallocation scheme was recognised as being too complex, intricateand detailed, and the aim was to achieve a simplified, transparentand accountable method of allocation.The comprehensive review involved widespread consultation andinvolvement of members through a single issue panel. The reviewculminated in approval of a new scheme by Cabinet in September2007. The new scheme is based on a date order / banding approach,with a simplified points system determining particular bands.The Council has also recognised the advantages to be gainedfrom a choice based approach to lettings, namely:• more customer choice• the ability for customers to make informed decisions abouttheir housing options• Compatibility with a preventative / housing options approach tohomelessness• Greater transparency and accountability.• Opportunities to integrate methods of allocating social housingwith access to intermediate housing options.SustainablecommunitiesAt the same time, the need to ensure safeguards are in placefor vulnerable households is essential, as well as to make surethe Council can still meet its statutory housing obligations tovulnerable groups.34
Return to Return Contents to ContentsActions for 2008-11 (See Appendix 1 for full details)Aim – we want to Rationale – why we want to do this We willDevelop a system of allocations whichis fairer, more transparent and respondsto the anomalies and complexities of thecurrent schemeConsultation responses showed thatcustomers were unhappy with the systemImplement revised scheme of allocationsEnsure allocations deliver sustainablecommunitiesImprove community cohesionDevelop local lettings plans for all new andregenerated housing schemes.Increase understanding about socialhousing lettingsCustomers have told us they do notunderstand the allocations system, anda lack of information on what is availablehas made it difficult for them to makechoices regarding their housing optionsEnsure there is sufficient information,advice and training available on the newsystem and CBLDevelop a CBL model which meetsstrategic needs and those of our partnersDeliver CBLEnsure the new allocations scheme andCBL model are strategically relevant anddeliver key objectives of simplicity andtransparencyProvide more choice for customers, andmeet the Government’s target of deliveringCBL by 2010As aboveAs aboveEnsure the implementation of CBL isintensively project managed to incorporatethese requirementsImplement CBL within the requiredtimescaleImplement robust monitoring, evaluationand review mechanisms.Increase the amount of rural housingprovisionIncreasing need in rural areas. Targetedhousing provision helps to maintain ruralcommunities.Increase the proportion of affordablehousing which is in rural areas from 10%to 15% over the next two years (providing3 schemes over the next two years).Provide wheelchair adapted housingbased on evidence of needs.Increasing number of disabled residentsrequiring assistance. Up to 50 peopleon the housing register need mobility orwheelchair access units.Secure the delivery of supported/wheelchair access units on the majordevelopment sites of Merton Rise(phase 3a) and Sherfield Park, as wellas bungalow provision on Park PrewettHospital Site and at Bishops Green.Maximise affordable housing supply.Increasing pressure on affordable housingof all tenures. The HMA concluded thatthe Borough Council should continueto require 40% of all new housing to beaffordable, with 25% of this to be forsocial rent and 15% intermediate tenuresincluding key workers.Deliver at least 300 new affordable homesper year.Provide a mix of tenures on developmentsites.Encouraging sustainable communities.Meeting the needs of different sections ofthe community.Ensure that at least 195 of the affordablehomes delivered are for social rent.Encourage the provision of intermediaterented properties as part of the broadtenure mix.Changes in the housing market andmortgage availability. Falling house prices.Review planning policy to ensure itdelivers an appropriate level and mix ofhousing without stifling development.Continue to research new methods ofaffordable housing provision.Work with our partners to deliver a mixof homes that meet identified needs, andensure high standards of management.Develop a revised Housing AssociationPreferred Partnership Agreement35
Page 1: Housing, Homelessness and Benefits
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