Deputy PM Angela Rayner said vulnerable groups must not face ‘unfair barriers’ to social housing as she confirmed plans to scrap the need for local links from next month
Care leavers and domestic abuse victims will get easier access to social housing from next month under an overhaul of the rules.
The Government will scrap the “local connection” requirement for both groups, which means someone has to have a link to the area to qualify, such as living there recently, working in the area or having family nearby.
It will apply to all councils in England, nearly 90% of which currently use this test to decide who qualifies for social housing.
But from July 10, care leavers under 25 and domestic abuse survivors will no longer be unfairly penalised for lacking a local connection.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “It breaks my heart to hear countless stories of people leaving the care system or fleeing an abusive relationship and not having a place they can truly call home.
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“We’re rewriting the rules to help get them a roof over their heads and the security they deserve. Our changes will make sure these vulnerable groups do not face unfair barriers to safe and secure housing.
“This is backed by our commitment to secure the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, and through our Plan for Change we are going further and faster to make this a reality.”
It comes after Keir Starmer promised vulnerable people would get a “guaranteed roof over their head” in a speech to the Labour conference in September.
Local connection rules were waived for veterans last year and councils were ordered to prioritise ex-forces families to drive down homelessness among those who served their country.
It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a £39billion cash injection for affordable and social homes in the Spending Review.
Hundreds of thousands of new affordable homes will be built over the next decade as the Government battles to turn the tide on the housing crisis.
Katharine Sacks-Jones, Chief Executive of Become, which supports children and young people in care, said: “Too many children in care are moved away from the people and places that matter to them and then made to move back to their local authority area once they turn 18 to access social housing support.
“Removing the local connection test will prevent forced moves, could help reduce homelessness and give care leavers a more positive start to adulthood.”
Balbir Kaur Chatrik, Director of Policy and Prevention at Centrepoint, said: “Removing this barrier will reduce homelessness and rough sleeping amongst care leavers and help them to thrive.
“Care leavers are often extremely vulnerable young people and lack the support networks that many of us take for granted. Despite this they often find it a real struggle to access the stable housing they need to thrive because they lack a local connection. The government’s change will hopefully stop this practice and ensure young people can get the stable and affordable homes they deserve.
“It’s also an important step towards ending youth homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable. Taken together with funding for prevention and housebuilding, this brings us a bit closer over the short- and long-term towards ensuring young people are getting the support they need.”
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