Johnstone: Social Housing Allocations Guide ‘another missed opportunity’

The SNP Government's Social Housing Allocations Guide has been rated at just 5 out of 10 by many social housing providers.

Alex Johnstone MSP, Shadow Minister for Housing & Communities, said:

"There are almost 200,000 applicants on council waiting lists [see note 1] with many people feeling that the allocations system is deeply unfair, and I have previously called for greater clarity in the system.

"The SNP Government's response is a half hearted attempt which does little more than demonstrate that it has scant understanding of complex social housing issues beyond simplistic political dogma. It is no wonder the guide has been rated at just five out of ten by so many respondents.

"Social housing providers need clear, comprehensive guidance in allocations to provide a system that is fair, whilst also protecting them from the increasing threat of their decisions being challenged in court.

"Families who are waiting for a home of their own need to have confidence in the way tenancies are allocated. This guide fails to deliver that reassurance."

1) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Housing-Regeneration/HSfS/HousingLists

2) Please see point 35 of this document for more information on the ratings http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/339953/0112460.pdf

35. Respondents were asked to rate (on a scale of 1 - 10) the Guide's success in its overall aim of helping social landlords understand the legal framework for the allocation of housing in Scotland and the flexibilities landlords have to respond to the housing needs of communities. Fifty five respondents answered this question, and the largest proportion of respondents rated the Guide at 5 out of 10. The second largest proportion of respondents rated the Guide at 8 out of 10. Overall, local authorities were likely to rate the Guide more highly than their RSL counterparts.

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