In a major change, anti-social tenants will be BANNED under the 'three strike' policy
YOBS who terrorize their neighbors could be banned from social housing in England for up to five years, ministers announced today.
Under a new crackdown on anti-social behavior, tenants who 'repeatedly make life hell for their neighbours' face eviction under a 'three strikes and you're out' policy.
Convicted terrorists and people with unspent criminal convictions could also be denied access to social housing.
The key reforms will be submitted to an online public consultation that will last until the end of March.
Ministers then say they will make the policy into law as “soon as possible”.
New rules for social housing: what is proposed?
- Anti-social tenants will be evicted from their homes under a 'three strikes and you're out' policy
- Yobs face a ban on social housing for up to five years
- Terrorists and people with unresolved criminal convictions may also be excluded from social housing
- Families with close ties to Britain and their local community will be given priority for housing
- Applicants must demonstrate a connection to Great Britain for at least ten years and their local area for at least two years
- High-income tenants will no longer be eligible for social housing to ensure homes go to those who need them most
The number of social tenants in England has skyrocketed from a total of 3.95 million households in 2000 to more than four million in 2023.
Among the changes to social housing will also be a new rule that families with the closest ties to Britain and their surrounding areas will be given priority in the housing queue.
Applicants must demonstrate a connection to Great Britain for at least ten years and their local area for at least two years.
Meanwhile, high-income tenants will no longer be eligible for social housing to ensure homes go to those who need them most.
Housing Secretary Lee Rowley said: “Today we are proposing further steps to make the allocation of social housing fairer for people.
“If you abuse the system, make people's lives a misery or are actively contrary to our British values, you make a choice – such choices will have consequences and our proposals seek to prevent such people from getting social housing.
“The message is clear: stick to the rules, pay and we will support you. If you choose not to do that, this country will not be a soft touch.”
Mr Rowley added: “The public wants to know that decent and hardworking people who have helped shape this country will be given priority in new social housing contracts.
“People who already live in social housing want to know that anyone who comes near them will be respectful of their neighbors and that their community will be protected from those who continually break the law.
“That is why it is right that the finite resources of public housing are distributed equitably and that local law-abiding citizens in need have greater access to a home in their own community.”