Housing Allocations Policy Review

contacts on the housing register, councils’ consultation database and stakeholders, including housing associations and local town and parish councils for their views on proposed changes to our joint Housing Allocations Policy. The Joint Housing Allocations Policy sets out the criteria to join the housing register and the rules for how social housing is allocated.

The policy needed updating to reflect the current housing priorities in the districts.

908 responses were received.

76% of responses were received from individuals/member of the public on the housing register and 17% from interested individuals/members of the public. The key findings are provided below: 

Increase the income and savings threshold from £60,000 to £80,000

• Over half (57%) of respondents agree with increasing the income and savings threshold, whilst 19% expressed disagreement.

Increase the level of rent arrears allowed from £500 to £1,000

• 62% of respondents agree with increasing the level of rent arrears, whilst 16% expressed disagreement.

Amend the list of exclusions that relate to unacceptable behaviour, such as:

• Amend the unacceptable behaviour exclusion criteria to applicants guilty of indictable offences and/or anti-social behaviour that would lead to eviction from a social tenancy.
• Remove the disqualification period from joining the housing register at the end of a custodial sentence or eviction from up to two years and replace it with a requirement that independent evidence is provided that the applicant is willing to receive support and change their behaviour.

67% of respondents agree with amending the list of exclusions, whilst 15% expressed disagreement.

Increase the priority banding for homeless households in temporary accommodation from ‘significant need for housing to ‘urgent need for housing’

• 72% agree with increasing the priority banding for homeless households in temporary accommodation, whilst 9% expressed disagreement.

A report with the results of the consultation was presented to South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet on 3 July and Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet on 4 July 2025. The Cabinet reports included details of changes made to the proposed policy as a result of feedback from the consultation. South and Vale Cabinets discussed the results of the consultation and approved the proposed policy to take effect by November 2025. You can read a summary of the comments received in our Connsultation Summary Report and Appendix.