Introduction
This initiative will assist in meeting the aims and objectives of the Company’s Allocation Policy in particular-
- To make best use of the housing stock available for let or re-let
- To consider sustainability of tenancies and creation of balanced communities
- To facilitate transfers of existing tenants to meet changing needs
The Scottish Social Housing Charter introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010, provides standards that all social landlords should be achieving for their tenants and requires landlords to make best use of available stock. This plan will assist Waverley Housing in achieving this.
LLP Objectives
This plan currently relates to the allocation of 25 new build properties being developed in the Upper Langlee, Galashiels, development and due for allocation from Autumn 2025.
The LLP will address specific housing needs and manage demand issues for transfer applicants with housing need, that is not being resolved effectively through the current Allocations Policy.
The initiative will also attempt to maximise opportunity for meeting housing need that the additional supply of new build housing offers. This way more applicants can be re-housed and in effect, two households can benefit from each new build property.
The assessment for transfers will remain based reasonable preference of those in unsatisfactory or underoccupied social housing in the first instance.
In considering transfer applicants, housing stock freed up through this LLP will ensure that subsequent allocations gives weight to reasonable preference for those who –
- Are homeless or threatened with homelessness
- Are living under unsatisfactory housing conditions
- Are tenants in underoccupied social housing
These will be allocated under the current Allocation Policy.
Aims
Our approach has been designed to achieve a number of wider aims including –
- Maximising the number of allocations that the development can accommodate by prioritising existing tenants whose housing needs cannot be met by existing stock
- Freeing up larger properties by providing an opportunity for tenants to downsize
- Enabling existing tenants, many of whom have an identified housing need, to access more suitable accommodation
Exclusions
Exclusions will apply where an applicant poses a risk to the LLP due to any of the following factors –
- Applicants who are not currently Waverley Housing tenants
- Applicants who have been evicted from a tenancy for rent arrears, anti-social behaviour or having been subject to an ASBO in the last 3 years
- Applicants with current or former tenancy arrears with no arrangements in place or payments being made towards the debt
- Applicants with an unsatisfactory tenancy history
- Waverley Housing tenants whose properties are in an unsatisfactory condition
Properties covered by the LLP
25 New build terraced properties in Upper Langlee, Galashiels.
|
Property Size |
Persons |
Number |
|
5apt (4 Bed) |
8 |
2 |
|
4apt (3 Bed) |
5 |
20 |
|
3apt (2 Bed) |
4 |
3 |
LLP Outcome
It is expected that a number of transfer applicants will apply for the new build properties. This is not based nor restricted to residency in Upper Langlee, Galashiels, with all transfer applicants able to apply. The remaining properties returned when allocated will be open to all applicants and priority given to those in most immediate need.
Monitoring & Review
This approach will be reviewed by the Head of Housing after 12 months to establish how successful the plan has been in creating the desired outcomes. Factors that will be monitored will include –
- Assessing tenancy turnover
- Reporting the number of refusals
- Reported anti-social behaviour
Following recent consultation with applicants 80% of respondents approved of the Local Lettings plan.
