Housing Rules Change - Leigh-on-Sea

Share this story!

Leigh On Sea News: Housing Rules Change – NEW rules being introduced by Rochford District Council mean that anyone who is applying for a council house must have lived in the area for at least five years.

Housing Rules Change - NEW rules being introduced by Rochford District Council mean that anyone who is applying for a council house must have lived in the area for at least five years.

NEW rules being introduced by Rochford District Council mean that anyone who is applying for a council house must have lived in the area for at least five years.

This change comes after the Council’s new social housing allocations policy was agreed by councillors of the Communities, Wellbeing & Housing Committee on June 19 this year.

This followed a public consultation on the proposed changes to the policy with many of the questions returning at least an 80% in favour response.

A spokesperson for Rochford District Council explained that the Council’s previous policy was “more generous than some other policies in the surrounding areas, where people who did not currently live within the district could still apply to join the Housing Register if they had a ‘family’ connection.”

Rochford District Council do not own its own housing stock and is reliant on nominations from registered providers of social housing in the district.

Given that the demand far exceeds the availability of housing, the new policy is said to reflect the ever-changing local housing pressures.

Councillor Mike Webb, Chair of the Communities, Wellbeing and Housing Committee at Rochford District Council, said: “We recognise that housing is one of the most pressing issues for our residents, and this decision means that we are ensuring our allocations policy works for our local residents who need it most.

“The changes will ensure a fairer, more transparent system that prioritises local residents and better meets the challenges of housing demand in the Rochford District.

“We consulted on the proposed changes and I’m pleased that the survey responses were supportive of our new policy.”

The Council will close the current Housing Register to new applicants on Tuesday 1 July to implement the new Housing Allocations Policy.

Existing applicants will be written to in the coming months with further information.

The Council’s website has also been updated with further advice for applicants on what they can do, should they need urgent assistance.

Picture: Rochford District Council Office.

about author

Editor