Last Thursday (15 February) Harlow Council’s Cabinet approved over 16 “dramatic” changes to Harlow Council’s Housing Allocations Policy which determines who is eligible for council housing in Harlow.
The changes are focussed on ensuring the highest priority is given to those most in housing need who were born and bred in the town and have lived in Harlow for 7 years or more.
The Leader of Harlow Council, Councillor Dan Swords, has hailed these changes as “transformational” saying that these “dramatic changes will truly mean Harlow homes for Harlow families”.
Commenting on the changes, the Council Leader said:
“Harlow Council has just over 9,000 council homes, but we also have another 5,585 applicants waiting on for a home on our Housing Needs Register. It is a fact that we do not have enough council housing for everyone who needs and wants a council home, and therefore we must decide on the criteria that is as fair as possible to ensure it is those people most in need, who get council housing.
“We also know that for too long, many residents have felt that our council housing does not go to Harlow people and that it is not necessarily those most in need that access our housing. That is what the consultation results showed and what residents say to me every day.
“That’s why, we have just passed a dramatic shake-up of our council housing allocations, which will truly mean that our council homes will be for Harlow families and will go to those who need them most.
“As a result of these changes, if you were born and bred in Harlow you will have added priority, you must have lived in Harlow continuously for at least seven years to even be considered for council housing and those placed into Harlow by other councils in temporary accommodation will not be eligible for Harlow’s council housing. If you are in housing need and you meet our criteria, it will be easier for you to get a council home.
“These changes alongside the over 16 changes we have made represent a major overhaul of our criteria and will truly deliver local homes for local people once and for all.”