By Neil Merrick
July 2, 2009
Social housing landlords have given a cautious welcome to government plans to change the way homes are allocated.
Housing minister John Healey announced on June 29 that councils should be able to give greater priority to local people that spend a long time on waiting lists once they have housed applicants with serious needs.
The government also plans to expand choice-based lettings, which give tenants more opportunity to decide where they live and move house if they find work.
Speaking after Prime Minister Gordon Brown had promised to increase the amount of affordable housing built in the next two years, Healey said people must believe they had ‘a fair shot’ at living in the new homes in their communities.
Ruth Davison, director of the National Housing Federation, said housing associations would work with ministers to create a ‘fair and flexible’ allocations system but refuted any idea that the shortage of homes was due to migrants.
In the past three years, non-UK nationals were allocated about 4.5% of housing association properties. ‘It is an urban myth that people don’t get affordable housing in their locality because of migrants,’ she said.
Paul Bettison, chair of the Local Government Association’s environment board, said it looked forward to seeing more details of changes to the allocations system. ‘We’re always happy when the government lets councils take responsibility for decisions in their area,’ he added.
The government also plans to tackle the illegal sub-letting of properties. ‘By cracking down on cheats, more homes will be freed-up for families who really need them,’ said Healey.
July 2, 2009
Social housing landlords have given a cautious welcome to government plans to change the way homes are allocated.
Housing minister John Healey announced on June 29 that councils should be able to give greater priority to local people that spend a long time on waiting lists once they have housed applicants with serious needs.
The government also plans to expand choice-based lettings, which give tenants more opportunity to decide where they live and move house if they find work.
Speaking after Prime Minister Gordon Brown had promised to increase the amount of affordable housing built in the next two years, Healey said people must believe they had ‘a fair shot’ at living in the new homes in their communities.
Ruth Davison, director of the National Housing Federation, said housing associations would work with ministers to create a ‘fair and flexible’ allocations system but refuted any idea that the shortage of homes was due to migrants.
In the past three years, non-UK nationals were allocated about 4.5% of housing association properties. ‘It is an urban myth that people don’t get affordable housing in their locality because of migrants,’ she said.
Paul Bettison, chair of the Local Government Association’s environment board, said it looked forward to seeing more details of changes to the allocations system. ‘We’re always happy when the government lets councils take responsibility for decisions in their area,’ he added.
The government also plans to tackle the illegal sub-letting of properties. ‘By cracking down on cheats, more homes will be freed-up for families who really need them,’ said Healey.
