Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Cabinet approved the updated Joint Housing Allocations Policy and delegated authority to the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor amendments in the future as required.
summary: The decision at stake is the proposed changes to update the Housing Allocations Policy.
topline: The Cabinet has decided to approve updates to the Housing Allocations Policy, including changes to income thresholds, rent arrears criteria, and priority banding for homeless households.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves changes to income and savings thresholds, rent arrears criteria, unacceptable behaviour exclusion criteria, and priority banding for homeless households.
affected_stakeholders: ["Low-income households", "Applicants with past offending behavior", "Homeless households"]
contentiousness_score: 6
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democratic.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1862
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: Councillor Crawford introduced the paper. Officers from the housing team were present online. Four key changes were proposed to update the Housing Allocations Policy: 1. to increase the income and savings threshold for exclusion from the housing register from £60,000 to £80,000 The amendment reflects changes in income and inflation since 2019. 2. to increase the rent arrears threshold for disqualification from the housing register from £500 to £1000. The period required to maintain a rent arrears repayment plan before a customer can join the register is also reduced from six months to one month. The amendment will allow low-income households who are addressing former or current rent arrears to join the register and potential secure more affordable accommodation. 3. a) to amend the unacceptable behaviour exclusion criteria to applicants guilty of indictable offences and/or anti-social behaviour that would result in eviction from a social tenancy. b) to replace the disqualification period from the housing register at the end of a custodial sentence or eviction from up to two years with a requirement to provide independent evidence that the applicant is willing to receive support and change their behaviour. These amendments will provide applicants with a past offending behaviour the opportunity to demonstrate a willingness to change their behaviour and secure a stable housing environment. 4. to increase the priority banding for homeless households in temporary accommodation from Band 3 (significant need for housing) to Band 2 (urgent need for housing) The amendment will help homeless households move more quickly into suitable long-term accommodation. It was confirmed that there was a good response to the consultation on this update, with 908 respondents. Members of the Cabinet were asked for their comments. Members confirmed that they went to a workshop on this policy update, to understand the rationale and it was felt the changes reflected inflation, house price and rent changes in recent years. Members voted on the recommendations and agreed with the following. RESOLVED to: (a) Approve the updated Joint Housing Allocations Policy (b) Delegate authority to the Head of Housing and Environment to make minor amendments to the policy in the future as required
Date of Decision: July 4, 2025