By Vivienne Russell | 14 October 2013
Only people who have lived in an area for at least two years will be able to join a council’s social housing waiting list, according to Department for Communities and Local Government proposals published today.
Image © David Burrows / shutterstock
The proposed guidance forms part of wider government efforts to address what it calls ‘unsustainable immigration’.
As well as a residency test, it suggests councils should also consider strong connection to the area, such as family associations or employment in the district, in housing allocations.
The guidance also says councils will be required to make exceptions to the local residency rule for members of the armed forces who apply for social housing. Military personnel are often required to move from base to base and so do not build up a local connection.
Publishing the guidance, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: ‘This government is standing up for hard-working local people.
‘Local residents and the armed forces should be first in line for social housing. This is part of a decisive package of government reforms to tackle unsustainable immigration.’
According to DCLG, one-tenth of all existing social housing tenants in England are foreigners. In London, the figure rises to one in six.
The department said there was now a widespread perception that local people awaiting social housing are overlooked in favour of groups who have little connection to a local area, undermining community cohesion.
The guidance will also require councils to publish their social housing allocation policy alongside data on waiting lists and lettings.
Responses to the proposals need to be submitted to DCLG by November 22.
