Common Allocations Policy April 2025

Our aim 

Our aim is to meet housing need fairly and consistently, and help to secure accommodation for households in the greatest housing need. 

Our objectives

We will meet our aims by: 

• responding quickly to people in acute and urgent housing need 
• giving the right priority to people who are in most need of housing; this includes specific groups identified in legislation to whom we must give 'reasonable preference', namely: 
  • people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness (including those at risk of harassment and abuse) 
  • people who are living in unsatisfactory housing conditions with unmet housing needs 
  • social housing tenants who are under-occupying their home 
  • preventing and responding to homelessness by being proactive through providing appropriate advice and assistance or suitable housing within a reasonable timescale 
• providing a housing options approach to meet the person's needs, which involves taking early action if their home is at risk, encouraging them to make informed and realistic decisions on their options and assessing and meeting any support needs they may have, in partnership with other agencies 
• providing support to those who need help to find and keep a home by helping them to access the help and support they need to find a property and to live in their new home independently and successfully by working in partnership with agencies such as NHS, Social Work Services and other support providers 
• making best use of housing that becomes available for rent 
• working to create communities where people want to live 

Our principles 

Our policy is based on six key principles. We will: 

1. apply our policy consistently: this means we will apply our policy to every applicant and property we allocate, wherever that property is, whoever the applicant is, and whoever allocates it or processes the application 
2. be clear about what we do and when we will do things; we will be clear about how we do things and will explain why we do things wherever we can 
3. be open and honest with you and talk clearly and directly about your housing options; we will be clear about what we can and cannot do to help you 
4. follow what the law and guidance says we must do and what the law allows us to do; wherever we can, we will follow what guidance recommends we should do 
5. respect diversity and promote equality in everything we do; no one will be treated unfairly because of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, language, religion, belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family circumstances, employment status, physical ability or mental health
6. use all the information we receive about you and everyone you apply with in line with the law and hold that information securely

The Common Allocations Policy contributes to several of our Corporate Plan Priorities:

• Tackling poverty 
• Enabling children and young people to achieve their full potential 
• Protecting and caring for the most vulnerable people 
• Supporting and promoting physical and mental wellbeing