Wards
Results of the Allocations and Lettings Consultation
Social housing is in high demand in Newcastle, and we need to manage it in a way that meets the needs of local residents. Newcastle City Council (NCC) have reviewed the way they allocate their social housing across the city. Newcastle Independent Tenants Voice engaged with residents and service users to find out their views and opinions about the proposed changes to their former Allocations and Lettings policy. We received the following responses:
- 316 responses to the online questionnaire
- 3 responses from Registered Providers
- 3 responses from voluntary agencies (Crisis, Shelter & Action Foundation)
- 1 response from another Local Authority
- 215 comments in response to our posts on social media
- 1 response on Let’s Talk
- Spoke to 26 people at Citywide informal drop in sessions
Based on feedback from residents and housing organisations from across the city NITV has proposed the following recommendations:
- Allocation and letting’s policy should be representative of all people especially those with physical and mental disabilities. Care should be given when changing the policy to include needs for those who require additional support such as carers or specialist equipment.
- The views and concerns of customers must be at the centre of the policy and proposed changes if a greater level of customer satisfaction is to be achieved.
- Continue to build on best practice to improve the customers' experience and expectations when applying for social housing. Make it a quicker and an easier process.
- Staff development for officers to help support vulnerable tenants with mental health issues and other protected characteristics. This will help remove barriers for those trying to access social housing and will meet the needs of the applicant.
- The final NITV Report to be distributed to NCC departments and appropriate working groups.
- A definite need for better communication by developing opportunities for tenants and customers to have informal discussions, share issues, concerns, and ideas with Fairer Housing Unit and YHN officers.
- Continue to protect the rights of the most vulnerable customers by ensuring staff have the correct tools, knowledge, training, and expertise to provide a consistent and effective service for customers.
A full copy of our
report is now available.
Consultation ‘You said we did’ - Not all the comments received related directly to the proposed changes. Respondents used this opportunity to provide their thoughts and comments about wider issues relating to the allocations process and the provision of social housing in Newcastle. These comments have been considered and will be used to inform the future delivery of social housing. All comments received were considered and have helped to inform and shape some changes to the original proposals, which are detailed below.
- We proposed: To remove the income limit so the amount you earn will not stop you applying to join the housing register.
- You said: 72% (13 out of 18) of participants who commented, felt strongly that people on high incomes should not be allowed to join the housing register and felt that the allocation of social housing should be limited to people on lower incomes.
- This Means: We agree with your views and will be keeping the £50,000 income limit.
- We Proposed: In addition to the current policy, if you refuse three suitable homes you will not be able to bid for properties for 12 months.
- You Said: 80% (16 out of 20) of participants who commented, disagreed and felt that this policy would have a negative impact on the most vulnerable applicants and no consistency in decision making in terms of the suitability of a property.
- This Means: We agree with your views and will not be introducing a refusal policy.
- We Proposed: That people who don’t have a local connection to Newcastle will have their housing needs assessed. If they would otherwise have qualified for Bands A, B or C they will instead be awarded a new ‘Reduced Priority’ band.
- You said: 57% (4 out of 7) of participants who commented, disagreed and felt that local residents should be prioritised above people with no local connection to Newcastle.
- This Means: We agree and have created an additional band which will ensure that applicants with a local connection to Newcastle will be offered a property before an applicant with no local connection and the same level of housing need.
- We Proposed: To redefine the current awards and introduce a new additional Band B: Urgent award so that people at risk of homelessness would be awarded Band B: Urgent earlier.
- You Said: 69% (9 out of 14) of participants who commented, disagreed with this proposal.
- This Means: We agree and have made further amendments to the homeless priority band awards.
- We Propose: All comments received that were not related directly to the Allocations proposed changes, will be used to inform future delivery of social housing.
- You said: People used this opportunity to provide their thoughts and comments about wider issues relating to the allocations process and the provision of social housing in Newcastle.
- This Means: You may have influenced changes to the future of social housing in Newcastle.
Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey, drop-ins etc, your views are very important to us, and the voices of tenants and leaseholders continue to help shape social housing in Newcastle.
