Updated housing allocation policy launches

Following a consultation process and member decision over the spring and summer, the new policy comes into effect on 1 November. 

Cllr Jo Rust, the Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said:

“We have reviewed our policy to ensure that it both reflects recent changes in legislation and gives most priority to people with the highest needs.  

“We have also ensured that the voices of people with housing needs were heard as part of this review and more than 4 in 10 of the people we heard from in our consultation had lived experience of homelessness. 

“Our new policy is up to date with the legislation and fully fit for purpose to serve the needs of people in West Norfolk.” 

The main changes are: 

• The number of allocation bands will increase to five, adding a ‘no priority’ band for people who would like to move but have no housing need reason for this. 
• Remove incentives for people in work: this had previously been introduced to incentivise work but does not take into account that some people cannot work, for example due to disability or caring responsibilities. This change does not disincentivise work; it simply means that people who cannot work are no worse off. 
• People who are actually homeless will be prioritised above people who are at risk of homelessness. People who are at risk of homelessness will still be given some priority but it will not be as high as people who are actually homeless. 
• Welfare and medical needs will be considered together, instead of separately – this will mean that needs can be approached more flexibly and a wider range of priority can be awarded. 
• Applicants with children who are overcrowded will have higher priority than people with children in a first-floor flat or lacking a garden. 
• A time limit for applications from military veterans to have a local connection will be removed. 

When the new policy launches all current applications will be reviewed against the new criteria and people on the register will be notified of the outcome. (For many people there will be no change.) 

While this review is under way, new applications will be closed unless the applicant is at imminent risk of homelessness. Anyone needing help in this period is advised to email housingoptions@west-norfolk.gov.uk or call 01553 616200. Applications reopen on 24 November.