A PROPOSAL to update the social housing common allocation policy in the Tees Valley, which aims to improve access to housing for vulnerable people including those from the Armed Forces, has been approved by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s cabinet.
The Tees Valley Lettings Partnership, which is made up of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, Beyond Housing, and North Star Housing, has developed the policy.
It operates via a Choice Based Lettings scheme, where applicants can bid on available properties based on where they wish to live. Properties are advertised daily on the Tees Valley Homefinder website and applicants can place bids directly for advertised properties.
The policy places eligible applicants, such as those from HM Armed Forces, as well as care leavers, those at risk of homelessness and children at risk, into a relevant band according to their level of housing need.
The changes to the policy include:
- Support for HM Armed Forces Community
Those leaving the Armed Forces currently benefit from a priority under the existing policy. A proposed change under the revised policy is an increase in the priority banding of former Armed Forces personnel. Those leaving the forces with an urgent housing need will now be awarded Band 1+ priority, while those who have left within the past 5 years but do not have an urgent housing need will be placed in Band 3 for their first tenancy. - Local Connection Requirement
In response to increased housing demand and a rise in applications from outside the area, a local connection will now be required for applicants to register and apply for housing through Tees Valley Homefinder. - Anti-Social Behaviour
To address anti-social behaviour, households with individuals who have committed anti-social behaviour will now face a 36-month exclusion from the housing register, an increase from the current 12-month exclusion. - Priority Bidding
A new approach to priority bidding will be introduced for applicants in Band 1, 2, and 3. Those who do not actively use their priority band to bid for suitable properties within a six-month period may be moved to automated bidding to ensure available properties are allocated efficiently. - Homelessness
Applicants who are homeless or facing homelessness will be categorised into three bands based on the level of need. Those in temporary accommodation and in priority need or owed a main homelessness duty will be awarded Band 1 priority. Band 2 will be for those who are owed a prevention/relief duty but have no priority need, and Band 3 for those where relief duty ended after 56 days and are found to be intentionally homeless. - Care Leavers
- Medical and Child Protection Needs
Band 1 priority will be awarded for applicants with emergency medical needs, where their current property is making the medical issue worse and for those who cannot be discharged from hospital due to unsuitable accommodation. A new category for Child Protection will be included in Band 1 priority, recognising situations where a child’s wellbeing is at significant risk and their accommodation contributes to the risk.
Young people leaving the care of the local authority, at the age of 18 and ready for independent living will receive Band 1 priority.
Speaking at cabinet, Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “I’m really proud to announce this report and that Armed Forces veterans will be in band one plus when they apply for housing. It is something which is close to my heart with generations of my family serving in the Armed Forces.
“No-one should spend a night under the stars in Redcar and Cleveland and this report will hopefully ensure this. We are determined to address these issues, and our officers and members are out there trying to help those in need.”
Cllr Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “These changes aim to provide faster and fairer access to housing for those in the greatest need. Those initially leaving the Armed Forces can find themselves in a unique position as they transition into daily life back at home, and unfortunately, some of our Armed Forces personnel face homelessness when their service ends. I’m really pleased to see that this policy change will place them within the highest band.”
For further details on the Tees Valley Common Allocation Policy, please visit https://teesvalleyhomefinder.housingjigsaw.co.uk/
Cabinet approved the policy today (Tuesday 29 April).