FAQs

This survey is being conducted to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders on proposed changes to Oldham Council's Social Housing Allocations Scheme. These changes aim to make the system fairer, more efficient and better suited to helping those in greatest need.

The scheme was last reviewed in 2019. Since then, demand for social housing has risen, and there are fewer properties available. With nearly 8,000 households on the Housing Register, many people have little or no chance of getting a home. The review aims to make the best use of available housing and help those most in need.

Key proposals include:

• Removing extra priority for applicants under the WorkingXtra scheme.
• Excluding people who own any share of a property from the Housing Register.
• Lowering income and savings thresholds for priority housing.
• Offering financial incentives to encourage people in large social homes to downsize.
• Giving previously homeless applicants a chance to stay on the Housing Register.
• Introducing an annual lettings plan to balance allocations more fairly.
• Making direct housing offers to people in urgent need.

All feedback will be reviewed and considered when finalizing the new Allocations Scheme. The updated policy will be presented to the council’s Cabinet in March 2025, and if approved, will come into effect in April 2025.