Council to Prioritise Homes For Employed

A council is planning to prioritise a fifth of its housing stock for employed people after changes to its allocation policy were agreed at a town hall meeting. Southend Council has decided to put aside 20 per cent of its 6,200 homes for households in employment. The council said this would ‘incentivise and reward those in work’ while at the same time create more mixed communities. The plan was agreed at a council meeting, but now must go through a 12-week consultation. Read more on the Southend-on-Sea website.

ALMO Launches Scheme to Tackle Extreme Hoarders

An ALMO has launched a program to tackle serial hoarders who often end up living in unsanitary conditions due to their habit. South Essex Homes, which manages 6,000 properties for Southend-on-Sea Council, is working with ten sufferers of Diogenes Syndrome to ensure their homes are brought back to a habitable condition. Working with local partners and resident volunteers, the ALMO has organised the clearing and cleaning of the homes while also providing emotional support to sufferers who have formed an attachment to their possessions. Read more on Inside Housing.