As housing demand continues to grow, West Lindsey District Council has revised its Housing Register and Nomination Policy to better serve residents and meet current needs.
The council has launched a public consultation on the proposed updates, which outlines how social housing is allocated within the district.
This policy update addresses changes in housing demand and availability, aiming to ensure fair access to housing for residents with the greatest needs.
The Housing Register and Nomination Policy provides a clear framework for assessing housing needs and coordinating the allocation of social housing through West Lindsey’s Choice Based Lettings scheme, known as West Lindsey Home Choice.
It defines how the council works with registered housing providers to match applicants with available homes, balancing applicant choice with the council’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in the community.
Chair of the Prosperous Communities Committee at the Council, Cllr Lesley Rollings said:
“Our policy is centred on fairness, transparency, and support for those in need, while also providing applicants with options to influence where they live.
“However, high demand and limited housing availability mean applicants must consider these factors when making housing choices.”
Key objectives of the revised housing register and nomination policy include:
• Ensuring equal access to affordable housing through a fair and accountable framework
• Preventing homelessness and reducing reliance on temporary housing
• Supporting individuals with the greatest needs, while promoting balanced, stable communities
• Offering quality advice and assistance to help applicants understand and engage with the scheme
• Aligning with relevant housing legislation and the Lincolnshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
Major policy updates
The revised policy reflects significant updates driven by increased demand for housing and reduced property availability since the last review in 2020.
Changes include a clearer local connection criterion that aligns with the latest homelessness legislation, removal of outdated elements like the assisted persons list, and more detailed guidelines on areas such as medical need banding, s106 nominations, and property advertisement timelines.
The policy also introduces a Customer Charter aligned with the existing Homelessness Customer Charter, setting service standards for response times, communication, and the application process for joining the housing register.
Public consultation now open
West Lindsey District Council is inviting public feedback on the proposed policy and Customer Charter to ensure they align with community needs and expectations.
Residents are encouraged to review the policy updates and submit their comments by 9am on Monday, 23 December 2024.
To participate, please visit Nomination Consultation