Changes to Lewisham’s Allocation Policy

I am writing to inform you of recent changes that have been agreed to the Lewisham Council’s Allocation Policy. These changes became effective from 28 April 2008.

The changes to the policy affect overcrowded households and those households accepted as homeless under the homeless legislation

By amending the allocation policy we have changed how we measure overcrowding. As a result, some households will not be entitled to bid for larger properties. Under the previous allocation policy, households were entitled to an extra bedroom as soon as they confirmed they were pregnant. We will now only determine whether a household is entitled to an extra room on the birth of the child. If there are two children of opposite sex, they are expected to share a room up until one child reaches the age of 10 years old. We will continue to allow a separate bedroom for a child of the same sex from the age of 18.

Furthermore, households who are overcrowded by two bedrooms will now be placed in Band A. Previously, those households overcrowded by two bedrooms were in Band B. Where a household moves from Band B to Band A, they will retain the list date when they were awarded Band B status

Under the previous policy, households accepted as homeless could bid for suitable properties for 6 months following the date of their homeless decision. After the 6 month period, the Council had the discretion to make one offer of a suitable property to meet their needs.

As from 28 April 2008 the Council can now make one offer of a suitable property to homeless households ANYTIME after the date of the homeless decision. Due to the shortage of properties in Lewisham, the Council cannot guarantee this property will be in your area of preference.

You can still continue to use Homesearch to look for a property of your choice.

If you are made an offer of a property and you refuse it, you continue to have a right to request a review of its suitability within 21 days of the offer. However, you must move into the property and then request a review of the offer. If the property is found to be suitable for you and you have not moved in, then the Council will discharge its homeless duty to you and terminate any temporary accommodation.

If you are not currently bidding on Homesearch, I would advise you to start bidding immediately. If you are unsure how to bid for properties or how to obtain the list of properties available through Homesearch please contact your nearest housing office.

Amanda Downie

Housing Needs Manager