As part of the review of the Council’s Allocation Policy, the approach to discharging the duties to homeless households into the private sector had also been reviewed. Currently there was no written policy covering this area of activity and to clarify the Council’s approach to this issue a separate policy was recommended.

The report sought Member approval for a policy when we assist homeless households into the private rented sector. If adopted, the new policy would formalise our current approach, the approach to implementing the policy, the suitability of offers in the private rented sector and sets out the right to review by the households affected. If approved the policy would be implemented at the same time as the updated Allocations Policy.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSY that: Members are asked to:

R1. To approve the Policy to enable the discharge of the homelessness duty into the private sector.

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Housing Department had a policy covering the discharge of the homelessness duty into the private rented sector.