An overhaul of how social housing is allocated, to make the
system fairer and not available to those who abuse it, was
announced by the Government today.
Measures which could ban those who blight communities and
repeatedly make their neighbours’ lives hell through anti-social
behaviour or evict them through a ‘three strikes and you’re out’
policy, are part of the new consultation.
At the same time, new measures will prioritise households who
have a close connection to the UK and their local area.
Housing Minister said:
“Today we are proposing further steps to make the allocation of
social housing fairer for people. If you abuse the system, making
peoples’ lives a misery or actively work against our British
values, you are making a choice – such choices will have
consequences and our proposals seek to stop such people getting a
social home.
“The message is clear: play by the rules, pay in and we will
support you. If you choose not to, this country is not going to
be a soft touch.”
“The public want to know decent and hardworking people that have
contributed to this country will be prioritised for new social
tenancies. People already living in social homes want to know
that anyone moving near them will be respectful of their
neighbours with their communities protected from those who
persistently break the law.
“That is why it is right that the finite resource of social
housing is allocated fairly and local law-abiding citizens in
need have more access to a home in their own communities.”
The Government is seeking views from the public, councils, social
housing tenants and providers and wants to bring forward the
reforms as soon as possible.
The reforms include new UK and local connection tests to
determine social housing eligibility, with applicants required to
demonstrate a connection to the UK for at least ten years and
their local area for at least two years. Prospective tenants on
higher incomes could also no longer qualify for social housing,
although existing tenants will not be affected.
As part of the reforms, people who have unspent convictions for
certain criminal anti-social behaviour or have been subject to
certain civil sanctions could be disqualified from social housing
for up to five years.
This sits alongside measures which could disqualify terrorist
offenders from benefiting from social housing.
Changes will be delivered by secondary legislation at the
earliest opportunity.
The proposals build on the significant reforms already introduced
by the Government to improve the quality and quantity of the
country’s social housing stock. This includes the Social Housing
(Regulation) Act 2023, under which the powers of the Regulator of
Social Housing to hold poorly performing landlords to account
have been strengthened and social housing residents’ access to
redress has been improved due to new powers for the Housing
Ombudsman.
This sits alongside the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme,
helping to deliver more of the affordable, quality homes this
country needs, which will unlock a further £38 billion in public
and private investment in affordable housing. It builds on the
government’s record since 2010 – with over 696,000 new affordable
homes delivered, including over 172,000 for social rent.
Access to most social housing is managed by local housing
authorities, who only allocate homes to people who are eligible
and who qualify.
These proposed new national requirements will provide greater
consistency for social housing applicants and local housing
authorities, ultimately providing a fairer overall service.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The consultation will run until 26 March and can be accessed
via an online survey.
- The policy proposals set out in the consultation apply to the
social rented sector in England and will inform changes to
secondary legislation regarding eligibility and qualification
criteria under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996. We are not
proposing to change the rules or guidance on reasonable and
additional preference that local housing authorities follow to
prioritise allocations.
- The income test will set out a maximum household income
threshold, which if exceeded, would mean households would not
qualify for social housing. This will only apply to applicants
and have no impact on existing tenants.
