Members of armed forces to be given priority on housing

A COUNCIL'S social housing policy update will see the armed forces community favoured, while perpetrators of antisocial behaviour are disadvantaged.

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

With major local demand for social housing, but only 14 properties advertised each week last year, Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council executive member for adult social care, approved the changes to the Common Allocation Policy at a meeting held on Monday.

She described the policy change as “much needed” with implementation set to be completed by July 11.

It is a statutory requirement to operate a Housing Register. Middlesbrough Council, despite not being a stock holding authority themselves, operates one jointly with the two neighbouring authorities that the town is sandwiched between, Stockton and Redcar & Cleveland.

At the meeting, Louise Grabham, Middlesbrough director of adult social care, explained Letting Affordable Housing, a policy update also known as the Tees Valley Common Allocation Policy.