Changes to housing allocations being considered

07 October 2025

Councillors are to consider revisions to the Council's housing allocations scheme.

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive is set to consider proposed changes to its housing allocations scheme to help ensure housing goes to those who need it most.

The Council’s Executive will meet on Tuesday 14 October 2025 to discuss the revisions which aim to provide a fairer, and more transparent, housing allocations service. It would also bring it more in line with other housing allocation schemes nationally.

If approved by the Executive, the Council plans to launch a six-week consultation, from Monday 20 October 2025, to invite views from residents on the proposals before final approval.  

Anyone who wishes to be placed on the housing register must be eligible and meet the required criteria. The Council is proposing a number of changes to this criteria to ensure those who need housing the most are prioritised.

North Northamptonshire, similar to other areas nationally, is facing an increasing demand for social and affordable housing that far outstrips supply. There has been a 129 per cent increase in applications for the housing register over the last three years. The monthly average of new housing applications received for assessment for 2024/2025 was 560 per month.

The proposed changes – which will be set out in the consultation – will aim to ensure the housing scheme is fit for purpose, addresses emerging local housing needs and the increasing demand.

"The demand on social or affordable housing remains very high and whilst the authority continues to develop and grow housing stock in the area, there remains an imbalance between supply and demand. The proposed, revised scheme aims to provide greater clarity and transparency that social or affordable housing will only be available to those with a clear housing need and those who do not meet the criteria would receive advice and be signposted to a range of alternative housing solutions such as mutual exchange (ie. swapping homes with another tenant), low-cost home ownership, and the private rented sector. It is also hoped that the revised scheme will provide an enhanced customer experience, realistic outcomes for applicants, create further efficiencies, savings and reduce pressures on the service area.”David Watts, Executive Director of Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing for North Northamptonshire Council.

The consultation on the proposals, subject to Executive approval, would close on Monday 1 December 2025. The results would then be presented back to the Executive for the final Scheme to be considered, approved and implemented in the new year.