Bid to promote social housing

PROPOSALS to encourage more residents to see social housing as an option following the introduction of the controversial “bedroom tax” will be discussed at Oldham Council’s Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Social landlords across Oldham have seen a fall in demand for two and three-bedroom flats, maisonettes and some houses since householders started to be penalised for having empty bedrooms.

Proposals for cabinet include amendments to the housing-related debt policy, eligibility to join the housing register and a reduction in the number of reasonable refusals of housing offers by an applicant from three to just one.

This will ensure customers, who can view details of properties online, take greater responsibility when placing bids and only bid for homes in which they are genuinely interested.

The council is to relaunch its WorkingXtra initiative, to increase the number of lets to those in work, training, volunteering or caring for a household member.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for environment and housing, said: “Many people often don’t think social housing is for them, but there are houses available across the borough and we want to encourage people who are adding value to the community to consider them as an option.”