Housing Allocation Scheme consultation

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.