Consultation - Housing Allocations Policy
The proposals
We want to make some changes to this allocations policy to make sure it is fair. Full details of the proposed changes can be found here but in summary, the four main changes being proposed are:
- Who can join the waiting list: currently you can join the waiting list if you have lived in Newham for two years, if you work in Newham or if you have family in Newham. We propose changing this so you can only join the list if you live in Newham for three years. This brings us in line with most of our neighbours, where applicants need to live in borough for 3 to 5 years. There are some exceptions to the three-year rule.
- Waiting time: We propose changing the way time on the waiting list contributes to your priority when you bid on properties. Waiting time before a housing need arises will not count.
- Removing the advantage given to people in employment: currently households in employment have a higher priority when they bid for a property. We propose removing the priority given to people in employment, so that priority is based on housing need and time on the waiting list.
- Creating a new category based on overcrowding: we propose giving a higher priority to households who are overcrowded. We define severe overcrowding as being short of two or more bedrooms.
Changes to the Allocations Policy
The Allocations Policy is changing soon and here’s why.
The current Allocations Policy has been in existence for almost ten years. Newham and its residents needs have changed significantly during this time. It is important that we adapt and change our policy to better meet the needs of those living in overcrowded, insecure or inadequate housing.
We want to make sure it is fairer so that those most in need of social housing are prioritised on the housing waiting list.
Sadly there are far more people applying for housing than we have properties available to accommodate them. In fact, in Newham we have more people on our housing list than anywhere else in London. There are currently over 34,000 households on the waiting list, but only around 600 properties become available each year.
Following extensive consultation on the changes that we proposed to the Housing Allocation Policy, the document has been agreed by cabinet and we estimate the changes will take effect from the beginning of February 2022.
Who do the main changes affect?
- Those who currently have additional priority for employment
- Those who did not live in the borough for 3 years before they applied
- Those relying on family, employment and care for a Local Connection
- Homeseekers building up waiting time
- Those who are severely overcrowded and have another reasonable preference (priority).
Employment
The additional preference for employment is ending which means that we will no longer be awarding additional priority to those who met our employment criteria. All applicants in this group will remain on the register but they will only be ranked when bidding on their waiting time in the Priority Homeseeker group.
This means that for many, you are likely to see a significant change on your ranking once you bid and there may be many more people in front of you than before.
Local Connection
You will no longer be able to rely on having family or working in the borough as a local connection. As this will no longer qualify you to be on the register, unfortunately, these applicants will be removed from the register.
Residence Qualification
You will now need to live in the borough continuously for 3 years instead of 2 before making an application. This brings us in line with many of our neighbours who only accept those who have lived in the borough for between 3 to 5 years. Any applicant who does not meet this criterion will be removed from the register.
Homeseekers
Anyone who is registered as a Homeseeker will no longer be allowed to build up waiting time although they will remain on the register. This means you will no longer have a registration date and will remain unable to bid. If your status changes and you become a Priority Homeseeker, your waiting time will begin from the date we make the new assessment on your application.
This start date will only remain valid whilst you are a Priority Homeseeker. If you have a change of circumstances and fall back into the Homeseeker group, you will lose any time you previously built up.
Those who are currently Homeseekers will have their waiting time removed although they will stay on the register.
Severely Overcrowded with 1 other Reasonable Preference
Anyone who is severely overcrowded (that is lacks at least 2 bedrooms) and has 1 other reasonable preference, will now have additional priority when they bid which will improve your ranking when bidding with other Priority Homeseekers.
We will determine if you are in this group through our assessment processes and you won’t need to tell us about your circumstances.
What do I do now?
There is nothing that you need to tell us now as these changes have not yet been applied. You don’t need to contact us as we will let you know how you are affected when the policy goes live.
If you feel there are changes you need to make to your application before the policy changes come in to effect then please go online to your housing register application and complete a change of circumstance form. Please see the instructions below on how to do this.
You need to log in to your My Newham account through the Newham Website.
- Then click on “Apply for it”
- Then click on “Housing Register”
- Then click on the option to "Change an existing application”. Please enter your application reference and your date of birth and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Once you have answered all questions and added all your household members, you will need to click "Yes” to the question ‘Have you added all of the family members you wish to be rehoused with?'
- Then agree to the terms and conditions and click submit.
Housing Delivery Strategy Consultation
We are also consulting on our Housing Delivery Strategy. You can find out more here
