Thousands face removal from social housing lists in Leeds

Thousands face removal from social housing lists in Leeds

0:02 AM, 28th February 2024, About 2 months ago 5

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 New plans could see 18,000 people removed from social housing waiting lists in Leeds.

Leeds City Council says the demand for council houses has increased in the city.

Under proposals, the council would remove all applicants from its waiting list who are in Band C and Band D. According to the council, most people on the waiting list are in Band C and have “little or no chance of being offered a home”.

Pressures on our housing stock

According to Inside Housing, there are currently more than 27,000 households on Leeds’ housing list.

More than 5,000 people are on the Band A top priority list but even then most people have to wait more than two years to be offered a home by the council.

A spokesperson for Leeds Council told Inside Housing: “In the last decade, as has been seen across the country, the demand for council housing in Leeds has increased.

“The more recent national cost of living crisis also means we are seeing more people who need our support to secure appropriate accommodation.

“As such, we are considering making changes to our lettings policy so that we are able to manage expectations and focus our resources most effectively on helping those in the greatest need.

“One of several options under consideration is the removal of applicants from our lower priority bands, band C and D, as well as those who are assessed as being adequately housed. These applicants have little or no realistic prospect of being offered a home due to the pressures on our housing stock.”

Overcrowded conditions who are homeless

The spokesperson adds: “This step would free up resources and help our teams focus on rehousing people in higher need, including those living in overcrowded conditions or who are homeless.

“It should be stressed that, with the consultation still ongoing, no decision has been taken on what changes will be made to the lettings policy. All views gathered during the current process will be used to draw up a firm set of proposals later this year.”

Birmingham City Council recently announced it would consider closing its social housing waiting list to new applicants.

The housing register receives more than 400 new applications a week, while the council is only able to allocate 2,000 to 3,000 social homes to applicants in a typical year.


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Comments

Cider Drinker

0:48 AM, 28th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Excellent.

Shorten the list by removing people from the list.

I can see this working.

Maybe we could remove prospective councillors and MPs from the lists of those campaigning to be councillors and MPs.Remove those with little chance of being elected.

Old Mrs Landlord

10:21 AM, 28th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 28/02/2024 - 00:48
They have the example of the NHS to show that this works. When NHS Trusts were fined for having people on their waiting lists for more than two years, they simply lopped the excess off the end of list but didn't bother telling the people concerned to avoid public outcry. That way they avoided fines which would simply have eaten into resources for doing the operations. This is a similar logical reaction to Government policy or lack of action but at least the victims have been told where they stand (unlike me waiting for my cataract op.)..

Mick Roberts

11:04 AM, 28th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Bet Leeds has some Selective Licensing.

This will all be Landlords fault again.

If this is the case:

According to the council, most people on the waiting list are in Band C and have “little or no chance of being offered a home”.

Who's housing 'em then? Oh that will be the Private Landlord then that wants to pack up & in't being paid enough, while all the time, Council gives him more charges & admin.

Michael Booth

15:27 PM, 28th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Take people off a list and put them on another list, that's what the triage system works l think in the NHS to reduce waiting times ie move the problem onto another list.

JB

17:52 PM, 28th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Think of all those empty rooms considered too small to let ...

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