Middlesbrough Council Overhauls Social Housing Policy Amid Mounting Pressure on Local Resources..

Middlesbrough Council

The 'much needed' changes come as part of a raft of changes to the Tees Valley Homefinder Choice Based Lettings Scheme, that's seen a deluge of new applicants driving waiting lists for those already seeking housing ever longer...

10th June 2025

Middlesbrough Council has unveiled a revised social housing policy in response to mounting strain on its housing register, joining a growing list of local councils said to be 'under pressure' from surging demand. Whilst the council refrained from singling out any one cause, the unprecedented volume of new applicants — many of whom are believed to be recent arrivals — is said to be a key factor behind the review.

The revamped allocations policy, set to take effect from July 11, will prioritise armed forces personnel and take a tougher stance on those said to be involved in antisocial behaviour. Under the new rules, individuals linked to persistent disruption in their communities could face up to three years’ exclusion from the housing register — a significant increase from the previous 12-month ban.

The changes were formally approved yesterday on June 9, 2025, by Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough council’s executive member for adult social care. She described the overhaul as a necessary update to an outdated 2019 framework, which she admitted was no longer suitable for addressing Middlesbrough’s evolving housing needs.

Although Middlesbrough Council does not directly manage its own housing stock since it sold off its homes to a private corporation in the early 2000s, it plays a pivotal role in a tri-borough partnership with Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar & Cleveland, jointly operating the Tees Valley Home Finder scheme. Hartlepool Borough Council reportedly 'withdrew' from the scheme several years ago, creating its own Choice Based Lettings scheme which to this day is reportedly plagued with issued.

The Tees Valley Homesearch platform, which connects applicants with available social housing, is also supported by key housing associations such as Beyond Housing and North Star, along with 12 other registered providers.

Louise Grabham, Director of Adult Social Care, presented the revised Tees Valley Common Allocation Policy at the meeting, noting that current demand now far exceeds supply. In 2024/25, its claimed only 14 properties were advertised each week on average, despite the live housing register containing nearly 3,000 applicants in Middlesbrough alone.

“To meet the needs of our communities and comply with national policy, we needed to modernise the system and make it more responsive to those in greatest need,” said Grabham. One significant update includes the introduction of a “Band One Plus” — giving top priority to individuals who have been displaced due to property demolition or who have recently exited military service and face urgent housing challenges.

Applicants will now be required to demonstrate a genuine local connection to Middlesbrough, Stockton, or Redcar & Cleveland. Whilst the policy introduces tougher eligibility rules, the council has assured current applicants that no one will be downgraded from their existing banding.

While the council has avoided publicly linking the housing review to rising immigration figures across Teesside, the timing of the update aligns with a broader regional trend, with local councils said to be grappling with pressure on housing registers amidst a notable increase in applicants with limited local ties being dispersed across the council through the home offices asylum dispersal schemes.

Middlesbrough’s new policy appears to reflect a cautious balancing act — prioritising long-term residents and vulnerable groups without stepping into politically contentious territory.

Cllr Rostron concluded the meeting by endorsing the policy, saying: “What we had was outdated and didn’t serve the needs of our residents effectively. These changes are both timely and necessary.” The new framework has been fully backed by all members of the Tees Valley Lettings Partnership.