Government to remove local connection rules for care leavers under 25 and domestic abuse survivors

Under the changes, which will come into force next month, care leavers under the age of 25 and domestic abuse survivors “will no longer be unfairly penalised” for not being in a position to fulfil local connection rules, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said.

It added that the reforms recognised the challenges these groups can face, such as transitioning out of care or fleeing an unsafe home to seek safety.

The new regulations will come into force on 10 July and will apply to all councils in England, nearly 90% of which currently use this test to decide who qualifies for social housing. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said: “It breaks my heart to hear countless stories of people leaving the care system or fleeing an abusive relationship and not having a place they can truly call home. We’re rewriting the rules to help get them a roof over their heads and the security they deserve.

“Our changes will make sure these vulnerable groups do not face unfair barriers to safe and secure housing. This is backed by our commitment to secure the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, and through our Plan for Change we are going further and faster to make this a reality.”

Director of Policy and Prevention at Centrepoint, Balbir Kaur Chatrik said: “Removing this barrier will reduce homelessness and rough sleeping amongst care leavers and help them to thrive.

“Care leavers are often extremely vulnerable young people and lack the support networks that many of us take for granted. Despite this they often find it a real struggle to access the stable housing they need to thrive because they lack a local connection. The government’s change will hopefully stop this practice and ensure young people can get the stable and affordable homes they deserve.”

This will be the second exemption of its kind after UK Armed Forces Veterans were made exempt from the local connection requirements in November 2024.

Harry Rodd