Care leavers under 25, domestic abuse survivors and veterans to be exempt from social housing “local connection” rules

Care leavers under 25, domestic abuse survivors and all UK Armed Forces veterans are to be exempt from rules which require a connection to a local area before accessing social housing, the Government has announced.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) noted that whilst not mandatory, some 89% of councils have a local connection or residency test in place to filter who can qualify for social housing.

It said that the proposed changes meant that where such requirements are in place, veterans and vulnerable people would not be unfairly penalised.

The MHCLG said the Government would be writing to councils “to remind them they should prioritise veterans, care leavers and domestic abuse survivors for social housing”.

Regulations will be brought forward in due course, with ministers hosting roundtables with the sector to explore the detail of these changes, it added.

James Needham, Chief Executive of Help For Heroes, said: “We are pleased that the UK Government has recognised, and acted on, the need for the UK’s veteran population to have more flexible access to secure social housing.

“We know that many of the UK’s veterans struggle to make the transition back to civilian life after their service is over. Increased levels of homelessness is just one of the ways in which these struggles manifest; particularly among those who join and leave at a young age.

“While this is a positive step, we must all be mindful that homelessness is rarely an issue that occurs in isolation, and we look forward to continuing to work with the UK Government to understand, and implement, the changes required to help all veterans and their families live well after service.”

Harry Rodd