Stronger focus on housing need as demand for council homes soar

Proposals to restrict council housing to those who need it most and have been in the city longest have been unveiled as the demand of homes across the city massively exceeds supply.

The Housing & New Homes Committee agreed in September to launch a consultation in the city about the future of how it allocates social housing in the city and this has now gone live.

Currently the city has an open register with over 23,000 applications but this year the council will only offer about 750 properties. With such a small proportion on the waiting list having the chance of housing, the council is considering proposals that will prioritise need. 

Cllr Anne Meadows, Chair of the Housing & New Homes Committee, said:

“Demand massively outstrips supply in the city so it’s right that our housing register recognises this huge demand, is realistic and prioritises those in greatest need.  We are doing everything we can to provide new affordable homes in the city including building 500 new council homes. However, this is against a background of growing need.

“I must stress these are proposals and as such we want to hear feedback from residents and others affected in the city.”

The consultation will be open from 1 December to 28 February and a report on the consultation will be submitted to councillor later in 2016. To respond to the consultation please follow this link

Here is the current allocation policy