Housing allocation policy consultation

Residents, partner organisations, stakeholders and councillors are being asked to get involved and give their views on Bracknell Forest Council’s proposed new housing allocation policy.

A new housing allocation policy is required to address the current housing supply and demand challenges facing the borough and, in particular, a shortage of family homes. It will bring the policy up to date with changes in legislation and support the council’s homelessness and housing strategies.

The housing allocations policy sets out:

• who qualifies to join the housing register for social housing
• how they can apply
• how their application will be assessed
• how their priority for rehousing will be determined

The current policy was drafted in 2016 with a minor update in 2021. 

Demand for social housing in the borough is high and increasing. In April 2023, 1,900 households were on the housing register in Bracknell Forest, compared to 1,330 applicants 3 years previously. Over the same period, the number of homes available to let has steadily declined. The shortage of larger family homes is a particular issue with overcrowded households waiting many years to be rehoused.

The housing service is committed to developing a new housing allocations policy which provides a fair, transparent, and easily understood approach to meeting the housing needs of the local area.

The new policy will:

• make best use of the properties available for allocation and prioritise those in greatest housing need
• reduce waiting times for the most overcrowded households
• support key groups such as care leavers by making sure that their housing needs are recognised
• take account of legislative changes, such as the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, to make sure it is supporting work to prevent households from becoming homeless

Cllr Megan Wright, executive member for adult services, health and housing, said:

“The new housing allocation policy is needed to make sure the right people are receiving the right housing. It will also help to address the shortage in larger family homes for social and affordable rent in the borough, making sure that the most overcrowded households with dependent children are prioritised for these homes.

“By focusing on this group, we aim to reduce rehousing times for families living in unsuitable and overcrowded accommodation, which are currently much longer than for one and two bedroom properties. 

“It will also allow us to give adequate recognition to the needs of groups, such as care leavers, foster carers, ex and serving armed forces personnel. We hope our residents will get involved with the consultation to make sure their views are heard.”

The consultation will open in December.