Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Social Housing Local Connection Test Exemptions

19 June 2025 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Proposed by Angela Rayner Lab Ashton-under-Lyne

Housing

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The statement addresses exemptions for victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests for social housing in England.
  • Regulations will be laid to exempt certain vulnerable groups from local connection tests, ensuring they can access social housing without meeting such criteria.
  • These regulations will come into force on July 10th, and statutory guidance will be updated accordingly.

Issue summary

The statement addresses exemptions for victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests for social housing in England.

Action requested

Regulations have been laid to exempt certain vulnerable groups from local connection tests, ensuring they can access social housing without meeting such criteria. These regulations will come into force on July 10th, and statutory guidance will be updated accordingly.

Key facts

  • Regulations exempt victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests for social housing in England.
  • The new regulations follow those made in December which exempted former members of the regular armed forces from such tests.
  • Statutory guidance will be updated to reflect these changes, including specific guidance on improving access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse and care leavers.
  • £39 billion has been confirmed at the Spending Review for a successor to the Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years starting in 2026-27.
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