The Housing Selection Scheme Consultation Paper - Northern ...

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e considered as under-occupied with the consequent reduction in Housing Benefit for the tenant. Our Proposal: The Housing Executive has reviewed this allocation policy and proposes to continue with the policy of allocating an additional bedroom in such circumstances. Working age tenants in receipt of housing benefit in these circumstances will be advised before they accept the offer of accommodation that they will need to consider how they would meet any potential shortfall in rent as a result of the potential Housing Benefit restriction. Consultation Question 3 Do you agree with the proposal to continue to make allocations to certain applicants of one bedroom more than their minimum requirements to facilitate access to children? (D) Flexibility to Make Allocations One Bedroom in Excess of Minimum Requirements The Housing Executive recognises that there are circumstances where a Participating Landlord may decide to make an allocation which is above the applicant’s bedroom requirements for good housing management reasons. These may include: • Allocations to applicants where smaller accommodation, particularly onebedroom accommodation does not exist or turnover of smaller sized accommodation is very low. • Allocations where a property has special features / adaptations which would particularly meet the needs of the applicant or applicant’s household. Working age tenants in receipt of housing benefit in these circumstances will be advised before they accept the offer of accommodation that they will need to consider how they would meet any potential shortfall in rent. as a result of the potential Housing Benefit restriction. Consultation Question 4 Do you agree with the proposal to retain the flexibility to make allocations one bedroom in excess of an applicant’s minimum bedroom requirements for good housing management reasons as outlined? Proposals for Changes to the Housing Selection Scheme 10
Overcrowding Rules The Housing Selection Scheme contains rules which determine whether a household is classified as overcrowded. As outlined above, the ages at which children are expected to share bedrooms are currently not aligned with those in the proposed Housing Benefit size restrictions. Our Proposal: It is recommended that the Housing Selection Scheme age criteria for determining overcrowding assessments (Rule 29) should be brought in line with that used for Housing Benefit purposes in order to ensure a consistent approach and applicants are not re-housed in circumstances where the property is deemed to be under-occupied. Consultation Question 5 Do you agree that Rule 29 should be amended to bring the age criteria for sharing bedrooms in line with the proposed Housing Benefit size restriction? Interim Offers Policy The Housing Executive has developed a Communication Strategy to ensure that applicants, tenants and customers of the Housing Executive are advised of the implications of Welfare Reform and changes to benefits. A key part of that strategy is to ensure that Waiting List applicants, particularly those who will be offered a tenancy during the remainder of this financial year prior to the Housing Benefit reforms in April 2013, are aware of the impending changes including the age criteria for minimum bedroom requirements and the potential financial implications. It is important to advise current applicants on the Waiting List when they are receiving an offer of the proposed changes to Housing Benefit. The Housing Executive has amended the suite of Housing Executive and Housing Association letters of offer to ensure applicants and transferring tenants’ are aware of the size restriction which is expected to take effect from April 2013 and to consider the potential financial impact. Tenancy Sign Up In addition, further advice and information has been added to the tenancy sign-up process informing new tenants of the potential impact of welfare reform provisions and how this might affect them. Tenants are also being advised that changes in household composition resulting in under-occupancy may affect their Housing Benefit entitlement for example family breakdown, children leaving home or the death of a family member. The signing of a financial undertaking should be considered where an allocation is awarded for a property above the new tenant’s bedroom requirements. Policy Succession and Assignment Rules 74, 75 and 77 of the Housing Selection Scheme provide for specific circumstances where a person who does not have a statutory entitlement to a Proposals for Changes to the Housing Selection Scheme 11
Page 1 and 2: Consultation on Changes to the Hous
Page 3 and 4: Background The Housing Selection Sc
Page 5 and 6: Making best use of social housing s
Page 7 and 8: Key Proposals Ensuring New Tenants
Page 9: sex will be expected to share up to
Page 13 and 14: Many tenants will choose not to mov
Page 15 and 16: Mobility and Mutual Exchange Scheme
Page 17 and 18: Equality Section 75 of the Northern
Page 19 and 20: Summary of Consultation Questions C
Page 21 and 22: How to Respond We would welcome you

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