Gateshead Council confirm positive changes to housing Allocations Policy
Gateshead Council's Cabinet has approved a series of updates to its Allocations Policy for social housing, aimed at making the system fairer, more transparent, and better aligned with the needs of local residents. The decision to introduce them will now proceed to the next full Council meeting.
The Allocations Policy provides the framework for how social housing is allocated. It sets out who qualifies, how priority is awarded, and ensures that the process remains clear and consistent for all applicants. The policy is continually reviewed to keep pace with rising housing demand, national policy changes, and local needs.
Following extensive consultation with Members, subject matter experts, and stakeholders, Cabinet has approved a set of amendments designed to improve the way homes are allocated and to better support some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. These include:
- Dynamic shortlisting: A more responsive shortlisting process when properties become available. If an offer is declined or withdrawn, the shortlist will be refreshed to reflect applicants' most up-to-date circumstances, ensuring that those with the greatest need are prioritised fairly.
- Support for families with young children in flats: The Council is improving the support available to families with young children living in flats. This includes removing restrictions on families with under-16s in low-rise blocks, awarding greater priority to families with children under 5 who wish to move, and lowering the floor level criteria for priority awards from the third floor to the second floor where there is no lift.
- Asthma pledge: In support of the Beat Asthma Friendly Housing Pledge, the policy now ensures that referrals from NHS Severe Asthma Services will automatically qualify for a medical priority award—helping people with serious breathing conditions access more suitable housing more quickly.
- Sensitive lets: The policy will now formally clarify the Council's approach to sensitive lets, where certain properties are allocated with extra care to ensure tenant and community safety.
These changes are in addition to recent Government guidance on local connection rules, meaning victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers are now exempt from local connection tests when applying for social housing, ensuring they can access housing without unnecessary barriers.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"These policy updates demonstrate our continued commitment to making the housing allocations system as fair and responsive as possible. We've listened to the views of Members, residents, and experts to shape changes that reflect the real-life challenges people face. Whether it's improving opportunities for families with young children, helping those with severe asthma, or ensuring victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers can access housing without delay, these changes are about putting people first and using our housing stock effectively."
A broader review of the Allocations Policy is scheduled to begin later in 2025, with further consultation planned to explore additional improvements. This will include considerations around homelessness, support for Housing First, and new Government guidance on priority groups.
Residents who are in need of housing are encouraged to join Gateshead Home Choice, the Council's online portal for social housing applications and property bids. More information can be found at www.gateshead.gov.uk/find-a-home.
Gateshead Council's Cabinet has approved a series of updates to its Allocations Policy for social housing, aimed at making the system fairer, more transparent, and better aligned with the needs of local residents. The decision to introduce them will now proceed to the next full Council meeting.
The Allocations Policy provides the framework for how social housing is allocated. It sets out who qualifies, how priority is awarded, and ensures that the process remains clear and consistent for all applicants. The policy is continually reviewed to keep pace with rising housing demand, national policy changes, and local needs.
Following extensive consultation with Members, subject matter experts, and stakeholders, Cabinet has approved a set of amendments designed to improve the way homes are allocated and to better support some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. These include:
- Dynamic shortlisting: A more responsive shortlisting process when properties become available. If an offer is declined or withdrawn, the shortlist will be refreshed to reflect applicants' most up-to-date circumstances, ensuring that those with the greatest need are prioritised fairly.
- Support for families with young children in flats: The Council is improving the support available to families with young children living in flats. This includes removing restrictions on families with under-16s in low-rise blocks, awarding greater priority to families with children under 5 who wish to move, and lowering the floor level criteria for priority awards from the third floor to the second floor where there is no lift.
- Asthma pledge: In support of the Beat Asthma Friendly Housing Pledge, the policy now ensures that referrals from NHS Severe Asthma Services will automatically qualify for a medical priority award—helping people with serious breathing conditions access more suitable housing more quickly.
- Sensitive lets: The policy will now formally clarify the Council's approach to sensitive lets, where certain properties are allocated with extra care to ensure tenant and community safety.
These changes are in addition to recent Government guidance on local connection rules, meaning victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers are now exempt from local connection tests when applying for social housing, ensuring they can access housing without unnecessary barriers.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"These policy updates demonstrate our continued commitment to making the housing allocations system as fair and responsive as possible. We've listened to the views of Members, residents, and experts to shape changes that reflect the real-life challenges people face. Whether it's improving opportunities for families with young children, helping those with severe asthma, or ensuring victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers can access housing without delay, these changes are about putting people first and using our housing stock effectively."
A broader review of the Allocations Policy is scheduled to begin later in 2025, with further consultation planned to explore additional improvements. This will include considerations around homelessness, support for Housing First, and new Government guidance on priority groups.
Residents who are in need of housing are encouraged to join Gateshead Home Choice, the Council's online portal for social housing applications and property bids. More information can be found at www.gateshead.gov.uk/find-a-home.
