Over the last 14 years, more than 696,000 new affordable homes have been delivered across England, including over 172,000 for social rent.
Social housing is always a finite resource and through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 the powers of the Regulator of Social Housing have been strengthened, and the ability of residents to seek redress has been enhanced with new powers for the Housing Ombudsman.
It is right for Government to always ensure that social housing is utilised in the most effective way possible to see that those who truly need it are supported, as are those who play by the rules.
I am acutely aware of the importance of having a system whereby hard-working people who make a contribution to this country are able to secure a home in their own local area.
The Housing, Planning & Building Safety Minister has briefed me on proposed reforms to social housing eligibility, and how local housing authorities such as Crawley Borough Council decide to allocate social housing stock where demand exceeds supply.
This will include a UK connection test: a requirement to be lawfully resident in the UK for 10 years in order to be eligible for social housing. Proposed exemptions to this rule would be those arriving through safe and legal resettlement routes and the Ukrainian temporary visa schemes.
A local connection test will prevent people from being allocated social housing if they have not had links to the local council area for two years, such as through where they live or where they work.
Through improved consistency, more people will be able to access social housing not only in the area in which they call home but where they need it: enabling links to family and community to be maintained.
It is only fair that such support is offered to those who do play by the rules and people who have unspent convictions for certain criminal anti-social behaviour offences, as well as certain civil orders, will be disqualified from social housing for a defined period.
There will also be a disqualification period for those who knowingly or recklessly give false statements when making an application for social housing.
These proposals are under a public consultation which closes on 26th March, and are listed on the ‘Policy papers and consultations’ page of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities website: www.gov.uk/dluhc.
To make a submission, please email: [email protected] or write to: Social Housing Allocations Team, third floor, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF. Any Crawley residents making a submission would be welcome to send me a copy of any contribution.
Henry Smith MP
