Purpose

New
Allocations guidance came into effect from 10th July
2025. The Guidance was issued by the Secretary of State for
Housing, Communities and Local Government.  Local housing authorities are required to have
regard to this guidance when exercising their allocation functions
under Part 6 of
the 1996 Act.
The
guidance removes the Local Connection stipulation for Care Leavers
under 25 and victims of domestic abuse in relation to the
Allocation of social housing.  This
means these groups of people can seek housing support from any
council, regardless of where they’ve lived before. The change
ensures fairer access to housing for vulnerable people who often
need to move for safety or support.
To
comply with this change, the wording in Section 3.4 of the Lettings
Policy must be amended to make it clear that certain groups of
people are excluded from the Local Connection test.  The new wording is attached as Appendix
One.
In
addition, a further amendment to Section 4.6 of the Policy is
required to clarify that Care Leavers funded by Cambridgeshire
County Council will qualify for a Band A status when certain other
conditions are met. This wording is also contained in Appendix
One.
The
Band A status awarded to Cambridgeshire Care Leavers is not a new
aspect of the policy.  However, the
removal of the Local Connection test means that Care Leavers funded
by any local authority area in England are now eligible to join the
register.  This broader eligibility
necessitates additional clarification of the circumstances under
which Cambridgeshire-funded Care Leavers retain a Band A status,
and how applications from Care Leavers funded by other local
authorities will be assessed.
The
Lettings Policy is already compliant with the remainder of the
Allocations guidance. Minor amendments to the Policy were
previously made in January 2025 in relation to Local Connection
changes for Armed Service Personnel.
A full
review of the policy is planned for 2026.  However, the Local Connection amendments are
required immediately to ensure the Policy remains compliant with
statutory guidance.

Content

To
approve the new wording on local connection criteria as set out in
Sections 3,4 and 5 above.

Reasons for the decision

To
comply with updated guidance issued by the Secretary of State, with
effect from 10th July 2025.

Alternative options considered

Option:
To not approve the new wording.
 
Rejected as the wording is appropriate and meets the new
guidance.