This document details the allocations policy for letting Thurrock Council properties and determines priorities for allocating council accommodation and nominations to Registered Social Landlords. The allocations policy has been revised to comply with the changes made to Part 6 Housing Act 1996 arising from the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2002 and the Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation issued by the Government in November 2002.
The allocations policy set out the rules for determining which applicants are given priority for offers of council accommodation.
Thurrock Council has decided that the allocations policy will be guided by the following principles:
Compliance with statutory guidance set out in Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 and accompanying regulations and the Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation issued by the government.
Ensuing that accommodation is let to those in most housing need and homeless people and people threatened with homelessness are re-housed as soon as practicably possible.
The allocation policy is transparent, simple, fair and easy to understand for local people, staff, members and stakeholder which results in accommodation being allocated quickly and ensures equal opportunities to all sections of the community.
It anticipates the majority of housing problems so that the need for individual delegated decisions is minimized.
It complements Thurrock Council's other strategies and responsibilities, for example to meet social care needs, promote social inclusion and sustainable communities
Increase user empowerment by offering applicants and tenants more information and choice of accommodation which enables customers to make decisions about their future housing and simplifying the assessment process and reduce officer involvement in deciding who is allocated accommodation
Updates the list of applicants who should be given reasonable preference for council accommodation/housing association nominations.
Remove blanket exclusion policies.
Housing applicants and tenants to be treated in the same way.
Enables the introduction of a Choice Based Lettings scheme.
Housing Policy 2005 (PDF 143kB)
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