Council houses in Moray: Who will get extra points?

A review of how Moray Council allocates local authority homes will go out for consultation.

At the moment there are around 3500 people on the council’s waiting list.

However, only around 500 tenancies are granted each year.

Proposed changes to the system include giving extra points to some applicants.

A total of 500 points could go to tenants downsizing to smaller properties, as well as to people experiencing domestic abuse.

Meanwhile, 400 points could be given to key workers coming to Moray to help struggling services.

Those who provide or receive care could get 150 points.

The potential changes were discussed at today's housing committee meeting.

The proposal to give domestic abuse victims 500 points was welcomed by councillors Jérémie Fernandes (Elgin North, SNP) and Amber Dunbar (Elgin North, Conservative), who's a board member of Moray Women’s Aid as well as the committee's chairperson.

Sandy Keith (Elgin North, Labour) was pleased to see those downsizing getting more points.

Head of housing and property services Edward Thomas told the meeting it was important to offer "maximum flexibility" to those looking to move to a smaller property.

There is greater demand in Moray to let larger council properties.

In 2022/23, there were 32 applicants for every four-bedroom property 64 for every five-bedroom property.

The review of the council's allocation system – the first since 2019 – will begin this week and run until October 27.

The final policy is expected to go before committee for approval in February.

To take part in the survey and find out more information, visit moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_150685.html

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