Havering Council's Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee is set to conduct a comprehensive review of the borough's housing allocation scheme, aiming to improve resident understanding and confidence in the system. The decision was made during a meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, where councillors discussed their work programme for the upcoming year.
The review was prompted by widespread concerns that residents do not fully grasp how their points total is calculated, leading to a lack of faith in the allocation process. Councillor Matthew Stanton highlighted that many residents struggle to comprehend their points determination, even with explanatory notes. He noted that this is a common challenge faced by other local authorities.
Councillor Stanton suggested that the committee could make recommendations to enhance the scheme's intelligibility for residents. This topic was added to the work programme for further discussion, with the committee agreeing to a thorough review of the new housing allocation scheme
focusing on residents' understanding of their points total and the overall intelligibility of the system.
While specific methods for gathering resident feedback were not detailed, it is implied that this will be a key component of the review process, stemming from councillors' direct contact with residents.
The meeting minutes from a previous session on March 10, 2026, indicated support for a formal review of the Housing Allocations Scheme approximately 12 months after its implementation. A report was scheduled for September 2026 to assess performance, outcomes, impacts on applicants, and lessons learned. The current meeting on September 15, 2026, saw the housing allocation scheme added to the work programme, signalling that changes are being considered, though a precise timeline for implementation has not yet been established.
Beyond a general lack of confidence, the current system's opacity can have more significant consequences. Residents don't seem to understand how their points total has been arrived at,
potentially leading to concerns about their position on the Housing Register changing. This is particularly concerning for those who are homeless or sofa surfing, with instances of appeals sent in January still awaiting processing. This suggests that a lack of understanding can contribute to delays and disadvantages in accessing much-needed housing.
Furthermore, the discussions touched upon broader issues of housing stock and resident stability. One councillor expressed concern over a continual decrease of people owning their homes and living with them within the borough,
linking this trend to socio-economic degradation.
This sentiment suggests a deeper societal impact stemming from shifts in housing ownership and stability within the community.
Further details regarding the committee's work programme can be found in the Agenda frontsheet for the meeting and the Public reports pack.