URL: https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6165

Decision Maker: Assistant Director: Housing

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Assistant Director Housing Services has agreed to implement a policy, effective from 12th January to 12th July 2026 that 50% of all vacancies that would normally be advertised through the Council’s Property Pool Plus Scheme, will be made available for direct matching to homeless households in temporary accommodation.  The current sub-regional Property Pool Plus (PPP) allocations policy is focused on tackling housing need and there has been a particular emphasis on applicants with a homelessness priority need.   The PPP Policy was originally approved by the (now disbanded) Housing Committee in March 2022. However, a further review of the policy took place in2024/25 and changes were made to the policy, which were agreed by Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee June 2025. These changes have increased the total number of properties allocated to applicants with a homelessness priority i.e. those living in homeless commissioned supported accommodation who are ready to live independently.   Despite the positive impact of the policy direction outlined above, homelessness in Wirral continues to be at critical levels. The economic situation together with various policy developments have resulted in increases in homeless households seeking assistance from the Council.   Currently there are over 200 homeless households that have been placed in temporary accommodation. The accommodation provided is often unsuitable for long term occupation and has a negative impact on the life chances of vulnerable adults and families with children. Due to the shortage of social housing and that the private-rented sector is largely unaffordable for most homeless households, people are remaining in Temporary Accommodation for significantly longer periods of time.   The PPP policy does allow discretion to be exercised by the Council’s relevant senior officer to depart from the policy in certain prescribed circumstances. Paragraph 4.6.4 of the policy also allows the Council to implement a period of ‘direct lets’ to specific groups in circumstances “…where it is considered necessary to meet local housing needs and taking into account the local authority’s current tenancy and homelessness strategies.”   Therefore, for a period of 6 months, 50% of all vacancies that would normally be advertised through the PPP Scheme, will be made available for direct matching to homeless households in temporary accommodation commencing on 12th January 2026. The remaining vacancies will be allocated as usual, through the choice-based lettings scheme in accordance with the published allocations policy.   In 2024/25, a total of 896 properties were allocated through PPP. If a similar number of properties were let during the period of the direct matching initiative, 224 properties would be made available to homeless households in temporary accommodation. It should be noted that the current PPP policy does award homeless households the highest priority for social housing (when eligible to apply) already, however without the ability to direct match, it  cannot  be guaranteed that 50% of available properties will be awarded to those in Temporary Accommodation  due to other PPP applicants, not placed in Temporary Accommodation , who may have held a priority banding for longer. This is particularly relevant to single households requiring one-bed housing, which is in scarce supply. Demand for Temporary Accommodation has reached a critical level and action is needed to reduce the numbers of homeless households currently placed in this accommodation.   The Private-Rented Sector is not currently viewed as a viable option for most homeless households due to affordability issues and the reluctance of private landlords to accommodate benefit claimants.   As such, social housing remains the suitable option for most homeless households and therefore the alternative option to the direct letting arrangement proposed in this notice, is to not implement such an arrangement. Given the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action, doing nothing has been discounted as an option.   The decision has been taken under Part 3 Section C - Overview and Scheme of Delegations of Authority to Officers as the decision is not reserved to a Committee or Sub-Committee and the Assistant Director is satisfied that paragraphs 2(a) to 2(c) apply.   Background Papers   Property Pool Plus Housing Allocations Scheme Policy   Amendments to Property Pool Plus Housing Allocations Scheme Policy  

Date of Decision: January 9, 2026