It has been brought to our attention that a number of homeless applicants have been unable to join Brent Council's housing register for several years. Please let us reassure you that we're taking urgent steps to resolve this situation as quickly as we can.
In the meantime, if you are still homeless due to the circumstances of your original housing application, please email housingreasonablepref@brent.gov.uk
We will then assess your current circumstances. Alternatively, individuals can visit their nearest Brent Hub and speak to an advisor.
Background
The wording of Brent's allocation scheme currently states that the register is only open to homeless applicants "to whom a main housing duty is owed".
However, those applicants who are homeless, threatened with homelessness, or have a priority need but have made themselves intentionally homeless, should also have been entitled to a "reasonable preference" on the housing register, subject to the residence criteria.
We're proposing to amend the allocation scheme, introducing an additional C- category as part of the existing Band C. This will take some time to implement, including a legal requirement for the Council to conduct a public consultation.
While the consultation is carried out, we're taking immediate steps to correct this mistake. We’re proactively contacting applicants who might have been affected and were homeless, threatened with homelessness or have a priority need but are intentionally homeless.
We can then take interim steps to give them a "reasonable preference" on the housing register.
If you are still homeless from the circumstances of your original housing application, please contact us at: housingreasonablepref@brent.gov.uk so we can assess your current circumstances.
London is in the grip of a severe housing crisis, and Brent is no exception. Therefore, the change to this policy will not necessarily reduce the amount of time those affected will spend waiting for a suitable home to become available. Our housing allocation policy, as always, will continue to prioritise those with the highest need.
How to get involved
We want to hear what you think on the Housing Allocation Scheme, and the other five proposed amendments. We particularly want to hear from people who have been allocated a social housing property, have bid for one or are currently bidding on social housing properties on the Locata Scheme.
It’s easy to get involved. Join our new community and resident engagement platform to tell us what you think.