The Scottish Government
Housing and Regeneration Directorate
Social Housing Division
T: 0131-244 5591 F: 0131-244 5596
E: aidan.grisewood@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
To all stakeholders
6 August 2010
CONSULTATION LAUNCH - SOCIAL HOUSING ALLOCATIONS GUIDE
I am writing to let you know that we have launched a consultation on a draft ' Social Housing Allocations: A Practice Guide'.
The guide sets out what the law says social landlords must and must not do when allocating social housing and goes beyond that to examine the flexibilities that social landlords also have to respond to the needs of their communities. What it says isn't new - the flexibilities already exist - but I hope this guide will be a useful practical tool for all social landlords in Scotland.
We have spoken to and worked with a wide variety of stakeholders to develop this draft, not least the Allocations Policy Advisory Group that includes landlords and tenant representatives. We have also included examples of allocations in practice from landlords across the country. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have contributed so far.
The guide offers advice and experience on a wide range of allocation issues, but at its heart there are four key ingredients for ensuring that the local community needs and the needs of households are best met: understanding communities; identifying local priorities; putting a robust allocations policy in place; and, monitoring this policy on a reguar basis.
In meeting the needs of Scotland's communities it is important that we make better use of our housing stock, and that includes how we allocate our houses. Other ideas for encouraging better use of social housing are included in our discussion paper ' Fresh Thinking, New Ideas'. I would encourage you to get involved in this important debate to help us shape future housing policy in Scotland.
During this consultation on the draft allocations guide I will be interested to hear whether or not this guide will be a useful tool for landlords and I welcome comments on how it can be improved.
Responses should be send to Social Housing Division Allocations Guide Consultation, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ or SocialHousing@scotland.gsi.gov.uk by 29 October 2010.
Yours sincerely,
Aidan Grisewood
Deputy Director, Social Housing Division