Clackmannanshire Council Online

New Housing Allocations Policy

A new Allocations Policy which is more relevant to our communities, tenants, and applicants on the waiting list has been agreed by Council.

The policy change follows an extensive consultation process, which involved a questionnaire on ClacksWeb and a series of meetings with local community groups including our Tenants and Residents Federation.

These changes will enable us to:

• Increase choice for applicants
• Make best use of current housing stock
• Improve access to housing for ex-service personnel
• Help reduce financial hardship for tenants who are affected by under-occupation penalties on Housing Benefit
• Meet legislative requirements in terms of housing homeless applicants.
• In partnership with Forth Valley Health Board, provide a more person centred process for health assessments.

Councillor Les Sharp, Housing Health and Care Convener said "Earlier this year we carried out extensive consultation on the new Housing Allocations Policy. As a result we know that our communities are broadly supportive of the proposed changes.

"We currently have around 2000 people waiting for a home. A significant proportion of those registered have no realistic chance of being allocated accommodation due to the lack of supply. Each year, an average of 360 properties become vacant for let and we receive around 120 new applications each month.

"The existing allocation policy requires to be updated to reflect the changes in legislation. It also needs to ensure that those in greatest need continue to be given priority."

We will contact all applicants on the housing waiting list to provide information about the changes and all applicants who will be affected by the changes will be offered an appointment to meet with us to review their housing options.