A-Z of Services

Housing Consultation

Changes to our Housing Lettings Policy

What’s happening?

We are reviewing the way that the Council allocates its properties. If you are currently on our housing register we would welcome your views on our proposals. This is part of our consultation process and it is your chance to have your say.

When the revised policy has been implemented your points may change. Please remember, this will be the case for everyone who is on the Council’s Housing Register.

Why are we making changes?

Our current policy was introduced in 2005. Since then, the housing situation in Wrexham has changed and we felt that there was a need to amend our policy to reflect these changes.

What are we changing?

The proposed changes affect our points scheme. At the moment we are not planning to change the way we make an offer of accommodation, or the information that we give to applicants and publish on our website.

What changes are we making?

Overcrowding – We currently award 50 points for each extra bedroom that you need.

We plan to increase these points to 75 (to a maximum of 150 points) as we realise that people living in overcrowded accommodation need as much help as possible to move to a more suitable property.

Children in Upper Flats – We currently award 30 points for one child in an upper flat and 50 points for two or more children.

We plan to increase these points to 50 points for one child and 70 points for two or more children. We are aware of the difficulties some people experience if they have families in upstairs flats and it is hoped that these additional points may help them move to a more suitable property.

Local Connection – We currently award 25 points for a local connection: 15 points for a connection with the County Borough and 10 points for a connection with the community that you want to live in.

We plan to increase these points to 45, with 25 points being awarded for a connection with the COMMUNITY that you want to live in and 20 points for a connection with the COUNTY BOROUGH. We plan to increase these points as Local Members felt there was not enough importance given to an applicant’s local connection.

Residency in Wrexham County Borough – We currently award local connection points for applicants who have lived in Wrexham County Borough for 6 months in the last 12 months or 3 years in the last 5 years.

We plan to award local connection points for applicants who have lived in Wrexham County Borough for 3 years in the last 5 years ONLY.

Penalty Points – We currently deduct 20 points for every £100 that is owed to the Council or any other Registered Social Landlord in rent arrears or recharges.

We plan to increase these points so that we deduct 50 points for every £100 that is owed to the Council or any other Registered Social Landlord in rent arrears, or recharges.

When will these changes happen?

When the policy has been finalised and the changes agreed we will re-assess everyone’s application and let everyone on the Housing Register know their new points total. We anticipate that this will happen in the Spring / Summer 2010.

Finding out more

Do you have a question that needs answering? Please email us housing@wrexham.gov.uk or you can write to us at:
Housing Services
Ruthin Road
Wrexham
LL13 7TU
Telephone: 01978 315300

Closing date for responses: 28th May 2010