The revised policy, which determines how applicants on the city’s housing register are prioritised for social housing, was reviewed by the council’s Scrutiny Board this week and will be considered by Cabinet next month.

It builds on the new City Housing Strategy, which emphasises the need to provide a range of good quality homes and make the best use of the council’s social housing stock, while ensuring it reflects changing legislation, updated statutory guidance, and continues to meet the needs of local people.

The policy will prioritise tenants affected by regeneration or redevelopment schemes, ensuring they are supported during periods of disruption and transition. This also supports the delivery of strategic housing programmes, including the improvement of existing homes and the development of new ones.

It will provide additional support options for homeless applicants, helping to relieve homelessness and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, providing an additional pathway to offer suitable, stable, and long-term accommodation.

Adapted homes, which are in short supply and high demand, will also be allocated to those in greatest need, improving outcomes for residents with specific needs. When considering new build properties, the policy better enables homes to be built for families who have specific needs, who would otherwise struggle to secure a council home.

Councillor Steve Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, said: “The objective is to ensure local people with the greatest housing need have the best opportunity to access suitable housing that best meets their needs, in a fair and transparent way.

“We are delivering better homes for local people across the city and improving council housing.

“Of course, due to national factors and the financial pressures all councils are facing, we have limited housing stock - and the revised housing allocations policy helps address the challenges being experienced by our residents.”