Major Shake-Up in Social Housing Allocation Looms for County Durham....
- teessidetoday
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
County Durham sees 'unprecedented' numbers of people applying for social housing, prompting DCC to put its allocations scheme out to consultation, with sources claiming the allocation of social housing is to see some significant changes....
4th Feb 2025
The way social housing is allocated in County Durham could be set for a major overhaul as demand for homes in the region continues to rise.
Both Durham County Council (DCC) and Believe Housing Ltd, the primary housing provider in the area, have launched a consultation with local residents, with DCC seeking opinion on the tightening of the criteria for social housing allocations after an unprecedented surge in applicants has put immense pressure on the waiting lists.
Rising Demand for Social Housing
Since 2020, Durham County Council has reportedly seen a staggering 30% increase in people on its housing waiting list, bringing the total to nearly 11,000 applicants seeking a suitable property.
Whilst DCC has not explicitly acknowledged the true cause of this rise, reports suggest that a significant factor is the growing number of applicants being relocated to County Durham by London Borough Councils. This influx has placed unprecedented strain on an already overstretched social housing system, leading to widespread public concern, with many local residents fearing that vulnerable applicants from the region are being pushed further down the waiting list in favour of those being "parachuted" in from outside the area.
Durham County Council Responds
In a recent statement, Durham County Council emphasised the importance of its housing allocations scheme, stating:
"The housing allocations scheme is a requirement of all local councils, setting out the council’s eligibility, qualifying and housing need criteria, as well as how applications are assessed to ensure priority is fairly assigned."
A spokesman for DCC went on to say that Currently, social housing in County Durham is allocated through a choice-based lettings system under the Durham Key Options partnership, which includes Durham County Council and four major housing providers, including Believe Housing. However, the current policy, in place since 2017, is now under review due to increased demand and the ongoing national housing crisis.
Key Issues Said to be Under Consultation
As part of the review, the council is seeking public feedback on six key areas:
Eligibility Criteria – Who should qualify to join the housing register?
Better Use of Housing Stock – Ensuring existing homes are used efficiently.
Local Lettings Policies – How to prioritise local residents.
Homelessness Prioritisation – Supporting those who are homeless or at risk.
Medical and Domestic Abuse Cases – Ensuring the most vulnerable receive appropriate priority.
Monitoring and Service Standards – Evaluating how the system is managed.
Have Your Say
Residents have until 12 March 2025 to take part in the consultation. Where its said that Feedback can be submitted via Durham County Council’s new consultation and engagement platform, ‘Let’s Talk County Durham.’
The review could lead to significant changes in how social housing is being allocated in County Durham.
With local residents voicing concerns over fairness and rising demand, the council's decision could shape the future of housing policy in the region for years to come.
