Have your say on the proposed changes to the Housing Allocations Policy.
The policy explains who can join the Housing Register, how applications are prioritised, and how properties are allocated
Why are we proposing changes?
Since the introduction of the current policy in 2021, the number of people on the Housing Register has increased while the number of available properties has decreased.
The proposed changes aim to:
• Create a Housing Register that better reflects the availability of properties.
• Make sure properties are allocated to households who need them most.
• Improve fairness, consistency, and transparency in decision-making.
• Create a more sustainable way of allocating properties.
Key proposed changes
The draft policy includes proposals to:
• Remove Band 5 from the Housing Register (those who do not qualify for a priority in bands 1-3 will no longer be able to join the housing register)
• Introduce a means test to determine eligibility for the Housing Register.
• Increase the local connection requirement from 2 years to 5 years. (Only people -or their close family- who have lived in Sandwell for 5 years will be able to join the list)
• Remove the additional priority currently given to households with children living in flats.
• Increase priority for households living in less suitable temporary accommodation.
• Introduce time-limited direct offers of accommodation in certain circumstances.
Your views are important and will help us understand the impact of these proposals before any final decisions are made.
Please complete our short survey to give your views on the proposed changes.