People throughout the Vale of White Horse are being encouraged to have their say on changes to the Housing Allocations Policy. This policy give what is called reasonable preference to people in housing need and defines what constitutes need. Vale of White Horse District Council are requesting people’s views on proposed changes to the policy, and residents have until Friday 1 March to make their voice heard. The councils are proposing the changes in response to the Localism Act 2012, welfare reform and the publication of a new code of guidance by the Government. There are six main changes proposed to the Housing Allocations Policy:
- keep the main objective of the housing allocation policy as the prevention, where possible, of homelessness
- exclude from the register, those found guilty of unacceptable behaviour
- exclude people from the register who have no local connection
- adopt a new “bedroom standard” that sets limits on the size of property an applicant can apply for
- exclude people from the register who have the resources to solve their own housing situation
- introduce penalties for applicants who refuse a reasonable offer of accommodation.
To see find out more about the proposals, and to give comments, please visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/haveyoursay. All comments will be taken into consideration, and used to inform the final policy before it is agreed by the Council’s Cabinet. Information about what people told us and how we have responded will be made available. If you have any questions or would like a paper or alternative format of the draft policy and questionnaire please contact haveyoursay@southandvale.gov.uk or telephone 01235 540359.