Council aims to change criteria for social housing
Nadia Lincoln/LDRSA council that has received more than 13,000 applications for social housing in two years hopes to change who can qualify for a home.
West Northamptonshire Council said the revised policy would provide a clearer framework for allocating social and affordable housing, while prioritising its "scarce housing resources" for those with the most significant and urgent needs.
The Reform-run council said demand was "significantly exceeding available supply" in the area.
An updated version of the authority's Housing Allocation Policy will go to a meeting of cabinet next Tuesday for consideration.
The council said it received an average of 555 new applications each month since 2024.
It carried out a six-week consultation on the draft policy in early 2026.
Applicants would continue to be assessed and accepted onto the housing register "strictly in accordance with national eligibility regulations" as well as the council's "locally agreed" criteria, the report said.
Under the proposals, people would need to prove a stronger local connection to the area or proof of employment within West Northamptonshire.
The authority's existing housing allocation system ranks households based on their needs between bands A to D.
Band A - the highest priority - would include applicants with an emergency medical need, those fleeing domestic abuse, care leavers and members of the armed forces with an urgent need.
Homeless applicants who were not in priority need – which can happen when a person becomes homeless intentionally or refuses certain offers of accommodation – will be moved down to band B or C.
Anyone who has been found to have "deliberately worsened" their housing situation to remain on the housing register, or refused suitable accommodation twice, will be excluded from the register for 12 months.
Other changes included a household income threshold of £40,000 for a single applicant, £50,000 for a single parent and £60,000 for couples.
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