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Housing Allocation Scheme consultation

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This consultation has closed.

Overview

The draft Housing Allocation Scheme sets out how residents in housing need within Barnet will be assigned a priority for inclusion on the Housing Needs Register and allocated social housing.

Changes have been made to introduce more choice for housing applicants, as well as introduce a new local lettings policy that will positively affect those with non-secure tenancies living on regeneration schemes, and improve clarity throughout the policy.


What we are seeking your views on

We are keen to give everyone who lives in Barnet the opportunity to have their say. The consultation is an opportunity for you to

Overview

The draft Housing Allocation Scheme sets out how residents in housing need within Barnet will be assigned a priority for inclusion on the Housing Needs Register and allocated social housing.

Changes have been made to introduce more choice for housing applicants, as well as introduce a new local lettings policy that will positively affect those with non-secure tenancies living on regeneration schemes, and improve clarity throughout the policy.


What we are seeking your views on

We are keen to give everyone who lives in Barnet the opportunity to have their say. The consultation is an opportunity for you to give your views on the allocation of social housing in the borough.


How to have your say

Please take the time to read the summary of the main changes in the policy before completing our online questionnaire. You can also read the full draft policy, and you can read the current policy here.

To request a printed copy of the questionnaire or an alternative format, please email: housingstrategy@barnet.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8359 3608. Alternatively, you can write to us at: Housing and Growth, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW.


To take part in another Housing-related strategy consultation please click on the homepage here.

This consultation has closed.

  • We asked, you said, we did

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the proposed Housing Allocation Scheme Strategy in line with the statutory requirement to keep it under review. The review sought to improve the smooth running of the allocation policy and to confirm where discretion is currently taken. This led to three main changes being proposed to the scheme: -

    • to revert to a two reasonable offers policy, meaning an applicant would not be sanctioned after refusing their first offer
    • after allocating homes to secure tenants living on a regeneration estate, at the point of decanting a non-secure tenant the council will look to
    • provide a new home on regeneration estates for any non-secure tenant owed a main homelessness duty (under Section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1996) who has held that non secure tenancy for five years or more at the point vacant possession of the property is sought
    • under a local letting policy the council will give priority for local people living on any regeneration estate to be allocated a new home on that estate ahead of those who are otherwise waiting for housing and even if their home is not being demolished.

    You said

    There were 40 responses to an online questionnaire. Of these respondents:

    • 84.2% agreed with the change to revert from one suitable offer to two suitable offers of accommodation
    • 73.7% agreed with the proposed new local lettings policy that will ensure that after allocating homes to secure tenants living on a regeneration estate, at the point of decanting a non-secure tenant of at least five years who is owed a main homeless duty, the council will look to provide a new home for them on the estate if there are available properties
    • 73% agreed with the proposed new local lettings policy that will additionally give priority to local people living on a regeneration estate to be allocated a new home on that estate ahead of those who are otherwise waiting for housing, even if their home is not being demolished
    • Similar percentages (73%) agreed with the proposed clarification regarding discretionary succession, the proposed change to allow any other household member, such as adult children, to be included in the application if they have been part of the household for at least 12 months prior to the application.

    We did

    The revised Housing Allocation Scheme was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. Following adoption, the council is:

    • working with Barnet Homes and other registered providers to introduce relevant changes.
    • seeking to build more homes throughout the borough in accordance with our borough plan via Barnet Homes and other providers.