Rochdale Borough Council: reviewing housing allocations policy


Rochdale Borough Council wanted to know what residents and clients thought of its housing allocations system and policy. To find out, the council carried out a small initial consultation with staff, elected members and about 600 social housing applicants. These included recently re-housed tenants. Respondents were asked their thoughts on the allocations system. The questionnaires were tailored and specific to each group.

The views and suggestions from this exercise helped form the proposed changes of the policy and the choice-based letting system.

Once the changes were ‘firmed up' and the policy was in draft, the council held a number of focus groups. These included:

  • general needs
  • disability
  • black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME)
  • older people
  • supported accommodation clients.

Participants in these focus groups were asked:

  • what they thought of the changes
  • how the changes would impact on their groups
  • how they thought a wider group of people should be involved.

The allocations policy is a complex subject and the proposed changes are fundamental. The council thus wanted to ensure people understood and were well informed before they answered. It also wanted to conduct a large scale consultation exercise.

A postal questionnaire was developed by Salford University with contributions from a small number of people from the focus groups. The questionnaire was sent out to all applicants on the housing register and all newly-rehoused tenants over the past 12 months - more than 6,500 people in total.

An online questionnaire was developed for members, staff and other stakeholders - more than 200 people.

All responders to the consultation were told of the headline results. Some of the group who helped develop the postal form also took part in the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA).

The experience of consulting on the allocations policy was very valuable to the council. Future changes to policy and systems will happen, as everyone learned a lot from the consultation. Services are now being providing in a way more tailored to customers' needs.

Contact

Helen Bellis
Housing Policy and Research Manager
Rochdale Borough Council
email: [email protected]


Published in June 2010.