Give your views on changes to housing priority rules

Rules setting out who gets priority for social housing in Richmond are being reviewed with the intention of making the system fairer and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. 

The Housing Allocation Scheme decides who can join the council’s Housing Register, how priority is assigned and how homes are offered.  Now residents are being given the opportunity to comment on proposed changes. 

Currently, homeless people living in temporary accommodation lose their place on the Housing Register if they move into some privately rented homes. The review proposes changing this to improve outcomes for residents, reduce demand on temporary accommodation and save Council Taxpayers' money.   

Other proposed changes include:  

• Changing the local residency rule from three continuous years living in the borough to five years out of the last seven, with the applicant living in the borough when they apply
• Introducing choice-based letting for some households. Instead of being matched to the first suitable property that becomes available, people will be able to bid on a home they are interested in, if it meets their needs
• Some single homeless people would be offered one-bedroom homes. Currently, they are mainly only considered for studio flats unless they have specific circumstances or a medical need for something larger
• All tenants who move to a smaller home would get Band A priority, regardless of how many bedrooms they free up. Currently this priority only applies if they free up two or more. 

 Councillor Chris Varley, Richmond Council’s Lead Member for Housing, said: “This consultation is about ensuring our social housing is allocated fairly and transparently, with priority given to households with the most serious needs. 

“That is why it is crucial we hear from as many people as possible who are affected by this issue, including Housing Register applicants, homeless households and social housing tenants. You do not need to be on the housing register to respond. 

“Changes to the allocation scheme will not directly create more homes. So, alongside this consultation, we will continue to push for increased housing supply and continue our work to prevent homelessness.” 

The consultation runs until 18 January 2027 and residents can share their views online, or by booking their place at a public meeting in early November.