Note: These changes were due to take place in November 2023. However, due to issues with the delivery of a new IT system to support the change, it has been necessary to delay the launch of the new scheme until 8th January 2024. Read more here. 

The system for matching residents in the Liverpool City Region including Halton with available social or affordable housing that meets their needs is changing in January 2024 – and anyone who might be affected is urged to take note.

New allocations policy

In January 2024, a new Housing Allocations Policy is being introduced by Property Pool Plus (PPP), which is the register that anyone looking for social or affordable housing in  Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and Halton needs to be on.

The policy change is designed to simplify the system by reducing the number of priority bands from six to four and making some changes to the criteria by which people are accepted into each band.

Changes to criteria

The changes to the criteria will impact factors such as an applicant’s connection to the area in which they are looking for accommodation, whether they have previously owned property, how much they might have in savings, whether there are under 18s in the household, whether they have previously had rent arrears or displayed unacceptable behaviour.

There is no need for anyone registered with Property Pool Plus to do anything just yet ahead of these changes coming in – this is just advance notification.

Check regularly 

In the coming months, people are being asked to regularly check the PPP website for updates and news at www.propertypoolplus.org.uk. Read any emails, letters or PPP account messages that might be sent directly - and respond to any requests for information to assess your case under the new policy.

Anyone who is asked to renew their application should ensure they do this within the four-week time scale advised.

What’s not changing is:

• how all available properties are advertised;
• how people can bid on them;
• where all the information about registering and bidding is found, which will still be www.propertypoolplus.org.uk.