Have your say on housing allocations policy

Anyone who lives in Hastings can have their say on Hastings Borough Council's new housing allocations policy.

The policy sets out how the council decides whether someone can apply for social housing and how high they should be placed on the housing register, depending on their individual needs.

Hastings is currently facing a housing crisis, with an unprecedented need for affordable housing in the borough. It is crucial that the allocations policy allows us to make the best use of the limited social housing available.

Most of the policy will remain the same as the current policy, with some updates, including:

• introducing a savings/income cap,
• changing the age for bedroom sharing from 16 to 18,
• changes to the priority bands, to help us prevent more homelessness and encourage downsizing to free up more family sized homes,
• limits on the number of refusals someone is allowed when offered a property,
• changes to the residency requirements around how long applicants have lived in Hastings.

Cllr Simon Willis, lead councillor for housing, said: "We are in the middle of a housing crisis and with increasing numbers of households on our waiting lists it is vital that we are making best use of the limited social housing that we have. Please read what we are proposing to change and let us know what you think. We are also keen to hear from other residents and community groups or organisations who work with residents in housing need."

You can read full details on the council website and complete the survey online. If you need a printed copy of the policy, please contact homemove@hastings.gov.uk with your details. The consultation will close at 5pm on Friday 24 November.