Hertsmere Borough Council has approved an updated Housing Allocations Policy, which sets out how social and affordable housing is allocated in the borough.
Cllr Alan Matthews, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Housing Development said :
While our priority is to increase the supply of affordable housing, we must ensure that applications are fairly prioritised. We carried out extensive consultation with our residents and key partners about the proposed policy changes. I’m pleased to announce that Full Council approved the new policy to provide the fairest response to the acute shortage of social housing and increasing demand.”
These changes will ensure the council makes best use of all available social and affordable housing in the borough and include additional priority for social housing transfer tenants living in overcrowded accommodation, those facing eviction or living in insecure accommodation, under-occupying social housing tenants in order to free up larger family homes and introduce Income and savings thresholds for applicants.
And in line with national requirements, ensuring care leavers and those in housing need, due to domestic abuse, are not disadvantaged by local connection requirements.
These changes will come into effect on Monday 2nd February.
The full report can be accessed here Housing Strategies and Policies - Hertsmere Borough Council