Council seeks views on changes to housing allocation policy

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Caerphilly County Borough Council is asking applicants on its common housing register to give their views on proposed changes to the way social rented homes are allocated.

The Council completed a review of its existing common allocation policy in October 2024, which looked at applications and lettings data and considered what changes needed to be made.  The changes aim to make it easier for people to apply for social housing in the Caerphilly borough and at the same time help to address the current housing crisis.

Proposed changes include:

• Increasing the number of priority award bands from 3 to 5.
• Adopting a ‘choice-based lettings’ approach to the way properties are let.
• Reducing the number unreasonable refusals from 3 to 2.
• Providing greater transparency on how ineligible applicants are treated.
• Reducing some of the barriers people experience when looking for housing due to an existing debt.
• Uprating the existing financial resources figures to today’s values.
• Uprating the residential property owners’ figures to today’s values and amending some of the criteria.
• Offsetting the impact on those people affected by the proposed changes by providing a 12-month window before the changes come into effect.

Applicants are being asked to give views on the proposed changes by completing an online survey which can be found at https://conversation.caerphilly.gov.uk/common-allocation-policy

The survey will close at 12pm on 24^th February.  When the consultation window closes all responses will be reviewed and the Common Allocation Policy will be amended and finalised.

For further information on the consultation, or to request a paper copy of the survey, email stratanddevelop@caerphilly.gov.uk or call 01443 863121.