A new policy that will affect decisions on how social housing is allocated has been adopted by a council and will soon be implemented.
Durham County Council has adopted a new Housing Allocations Policy following multiple consultations with residents. By law, the new policy will be published and kept under review.
The policy sets out the council’s eligibility, qualifying and housing need criteria, to make sure priority is fairly assigned and allocated to households in the greatest need. It also sets out by which manner decisions are made on how social housing is allocated, and how the council assesses applications to the housing register.
The scheme will see a new banding structure in place for housing needs, which will have four tiers, ranging from urgent or exceptional housing need in Band One, to lower housing need in Band Four.
The new policy will give additional preference to applicants who are fleeing domestic abuse, have urgent medical needs, have a connection to the armed forces, or are currently living in a property that is severely overcrowded.
The new policy also introduces a local connection rule, stating that people must have lived in County Durham for a minimum of two years before they can join the housing register.
Exemptions apply for care leavers, domestic abuse victims, veterans and their family, and people with a homeless connection.
Cllr Dawn Bellingham, Durham County Council’s member for communities and civic resilience, said: “We recognise the great need for social housing, and this new policy reinforces our desire to support residents. These new measures will ensure that social housing will be given to those who need it the most.
“We’ve listened to residents’ views following multiple consultations on the new policy and with it soon being implemented, we hope it goes a long way to addressing concerns around social housing in the county.”
Alan Boddy, Chief Executive of Livin Housing, said on behalf of Durham Key Options Board members: “This is an important change at a time when demand for social housing continues to exceed the number of homes available.
“Everyone involved wants to make sure social housing is allocated fairly and to those who need it most. This new policy has been developed with input from residents, Durham County Council and housing associations across the county, and gives greater clarity about how decisions are made.
“We all share the same goal of helping people access the right home at the right time, while supporting sustainable, balanced communities where people can thrive.”
The new Housing Allocations Policy will be implemented on Monday 1 February 2027.
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