A new housing allocations policy which gives preference to people who need housing the most will be discussed by Peterborough City Council's Cabinet on Monday 25 February 2013.

Currently anyone over the age of 16, who has the right to live in the UK and has no previous convictions that could make them an unsuitable tenant can apply to join the Peterborough Housing Register. As a result, the number joining the list in recent years has continued to increase.

The new draft policy, known as the Common Housing Register Allocations Policy, looks to change the criteria used to determine applications so that priority is given to people who need housing the most as well as hard working families and serving Armed Forces personnel.

The new policy also has high regard for people who can demonstrate a strong local connection to Peterborough and those who are working or are training for work. People who are making a community contribution and working to make the city a good place to live, work and play are also given preference.

Public consultation on the draft policy took place between October and December, during which 563 questionnaires were returned. A large majority of those surveyed agreed that entry to the Housing Register should be restricted and priority should be given to people with a connection with Peterborough.

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Those consulted also said that people whose household income exceeds £60,000 should not be allowed to join the Housing Register, however many suggested the amount was too high. As a result, the draft policy recommends a maximum household income of £40,200.

The bedroom standards policy will also be changed to bring it in line with the criteria used by the Department for Work and Pensions to assess a household’s bedroom requirement. From April 2013 those households who are deemed to be living in a home which is larger than they require will have their Housing Benefit reduced and will need to meet the rent shortfall from their other benefits while they are looking to downsize. As a result, families will only be placed in homes which are suitable for the number of people in the family, and therefore affordable.

However, during the consultation some respondents said that families with children who have learning and physical disabilities would have difficulty sharing a bedroom. As a result, the final draft proposes allowing discretion to award an extra bedroom to those who require it because they have a member of the household who is disabled.

Councillor Peter Hiller, Cabinet Member for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Planning, said: "The consultation proved very useful indeed and the comments we received have allowed us to fine tune the draft policy in a number of areas so that it best meets the city's needs.

"We have seen a sharp rise in the number of people joining the Housing Register which is why we have had to look at who we allow to join it and the priority they are given once on the list. Excluding certain groups of people from applying, such as those who can afford suitable housing elsewhere, will mean that we can help those who are most in need of housing.

"A priority for the Cabinet is encouraging people to work and this is why our draft policy proposes awarding additional preference to those who are working or in training for work. Members of the armed forces will also be awarded preference as well as those who have a strong local connection with the city or are making a difference in their community."

(CD/GK)