Forces personnel go to head of queue for homes

CURRENT OR former Armed Forces personnel will be given priority for social housing in Bradford as part of a revision of its allocation policy.

Extra banding criteria will place members of the Armed Force in the highest need band, and will also backdate their waiting time in line with their length of service in the forces.

The revision is part of the Armed Forces Covenant, set up in 2012 to forge closer ties between the council, its partners and the Armed Forces community.

Bradford Council’s Armed Forces champion Coun Joanne Dodds said: “We take the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant very seriously and I am very pleased that the length of service will now become a factor when seeking housing for military personnel and their families.

“The idea of the Covenant has always been to remember and recognise the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces community, provide help and ensure that the families are not disadvantaged and are able to access the services and facilities for which they are eligible.”

Further revisions to the council’s social Housing Allocations Policy have been made following an extensive consultation.

Those who are at risk and have the greatest need for social housing will also be placed into homes more quickly.

The current four-band policy has been extended to six bands, adding additional criteria which favours applicants with a connection to the district over those from other areas of the country, and to deal with some of the impacts of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 which comes into effect in April 2018.

The revised policy also takes into account key council priorities such as awarding greater priority to victims of domestic violence, foster carers and care leavers, those discharged from hospital and the Armed Forces.

Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, housing, planning and transport Coun Alex Ross-Shaw said: “I am pleased with the revised policy which should lead to quicker rehousing for those individuals and families who have the greatest need.

“We’re also bringing in two new bands to help stop people becoming homeless and give greater priority to local applicants from within Bradford district. We know these are big priorities for people in Bradford.”

Bradford Council’s executive members will be asked to approve the revised housing allocations policy when it meets later this month.