1. Access to Housing: A local perspective
John Littlemore
Head of Housing &
Community Services

2. Today’s Discussion National context Local picture Allocation Scheme
Homelessness Reduction Act

5. The Local Picture

6. New Affordable Homes

7. Rental Values in Maidstone

8. Homelessness Activity

9. Reason For Homelessness

10. Allocation Scheme Housing Act 1996
Part 6 – Allocation of accommodation
Part 7 – Homelessness
Localism Act 2011 – localised priorities
Over 600 lettings each year
Currently around 700 applicants on the Housing Register

11. Policy & Statute Eligibility Preference categories
Persons who are homeless
Persons owed the main housing duty (Housing Act ‘96 Part 7)
Occupying insanitary, overcrowded or unsatisfactory housing conditions
Particular need to move to a locality otherwise hardship will occur
Medical or welfare grounds

12. Maidstone’s Banding Scheme
Band A – Community contribution
Band B – Health assistance
Band C – Preference groups
Band D – Homelessness
Priority between applicants is by date order
MBC does not operate

13. Homelessness Reduction Act
Expected April 2018
New ‘prevention’ and ‘relief’ duty
Amends not replaces existing legislation
Extends definition of threatened with homelessness from 28 to 56 days
Introduces the concept of the “Personal Housing Plan”