Borough plans for a fairer social housing policy

Measures to determine who will be eligible and prioritised for the limited social housing in the Royal Borough, ensuring it goes to those most in need, have been considered and agreed by the councils’ Cabinet.

The new policy, which reflects changes in government legislation and guidance, aims to create a simpler and fairer approach to allocating social housing in the borough.

This follows a public consultation that ran from 24 October 2024 to 16 January 2025 and takes on board feedback received from residents and stakeholders.

From April 2025, one major change will be replacing the current four bands with five with improved definitions, to make sure they are clear, fair and appropriate. This will support those most need by ensuring that a smaller number of households in the highest need are prioritised.

Recognising of the needs of care leavers, ex-armed services personnel and foster carers is also reflected in the policy improvements.

How long applicants must have lived in the borough to be eligible to join the register is also changing. Currently, residents must have lived continuously in the borough for two years to qualify – applicants will now need to have lived in the borough for a minimum of three years within the past four years. For anyone placed in temporary accommodation outside of the borough, time in that accommodation will count as spent living here.

Allowing households that accept an offer for private rented accommodation, supported by the council, to remain on the register will also be new – removing the key incentive for households to remain in temporary accommodation, which is better for both residents and council finances.

As part of cracking down on antisocial behaviour, certain types of unacceptable behaviour will now exclude people from the register – including if any member of the household has been subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order in the past five years.

Within band priority will be given to households where at least one member is in regular paid or voluntary work, giving those working an opportunity to move up within their current band.

The changes also include a commitment to monitor and review the existing policy on household income and savings.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services, Catherine Del Campo, said: “Our housing allocations policy needed to be brought up to date, in line with what local people have told us should be our priority for social housing.

“Like many councils, we have a very limited supply of social housing available in the borough, so we need to consider carefully who is prioritised and that the system is fair and easy to understand – to support people to live healthy and independent lives.

“This updated policy will ensure that the borough’s most vulnerable people and families at the top in terms of housing priority, including those with dependent children, foster carers, care leavers, and other vulnerable groups – so those with the greatest need get the most urgent support.”  

For more information, or support if you are at risk of homelessness, visit the council’s website