Changes to our housing register
Contents
- Changes to our housing register
- Changes to our Housing Allocation Policy
Changes to our Housing Allocation Policy
Our Housing Allocation Policy is changing on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
The revised policy explains:
- who can join the Housing Register
- how housing need is assessed
- how available social and affordable rented homes are offered
If you are already registered for housing, please continue to keep your application up to date, provide any information requested and place bids unless you have been told that bids will be placed automatically on your behalf.
Current policy
Revised policy - effective from 14 October
Priority bands
We will continue to use 4 priority bands:
- Band A: highest priority
- Band B: urgent housing need
- Band C: identified housing need
- Band D: limited categories of applicants who do not have an assessed housing need but qualify under specific provisions
Applications will be assessed individually, taking account of the information and evidence provided. Where an applicant meets 2 distinctly different criteria within the same band, they may be awarded the next higher band.
Main policy changes
| Area | What is changing from 14 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Local connection | The residence requirement changes from 2 continuous years to living in West Northamptonshire for at least 3 of the last 5 years. An immediate family connection will normally require the family member to have lived in the area continuously for at least 5 years, together with a need to give or receive welfare and wellbeing support. |
| Employment connection | The previous 90-minute commuting requirement is removed. Applicants will normally need to demonstrate permanent employment in West Northamptonshire for at least 16 hours a week and employment for more than 6 of the last 12 months. |
| Homeless applicants | Applicants owed the main homelessness duty will be placed in Band A. Applicants owed a prevention or relief duty will normally be placed in Band B or Band C, depending on whether they are considered to have a priority need. |
| Move-on from supported accommodation | Applicants approved as ready to move on from commissioned supported accommodation will initially be placed in Band B. If they have not secured accommodation after 12 weeks, they will move to Band A while retaining the effective date from their Band B award. |
| Living with family | A pregnant applicant or household with dependent children living insecurely with family may qualify for Band C without first having to make a homelessness application. If they have not secured accommodation after 12 months, they will move to Band B. |
| More than one housing need | Where an applicant meets 2 distinctly different and unrelated criteria within the same band, they will be awarded the next higher band. |
| Income thresholds | The maximum gross household income will be:
|
| Housing-related debt | Applicants with housing-related debt of £1,000 or less may qualify and bid where an agreed repayment plan has been maintained for at least 12 weeks, unless there is clear evidence of a future risk of non-payment. Each case will be considered individually. |
| Bidding and auto-bidding | Applicants will be able to place up to 5 bids in each weekly cycle, rather than 3. Auto-bidding will be used for specified applicants in Bands A to C, including where a statutory homelessness duty is owed. |
| Assessment timescale | Once all required information and supporting evidence has been received, applications will be assessed within 42 calendar days. |
| Succession cases | An eligible successor who needs alternative accommodation because the existing property is unsuitable may receive Band B priority. If appropriate accommodation has not been secured after 6 months, the council may bid on the applicant’s behalf or make a direct offer. |
| Deliberately worsening circumstances | Where the council decides that an applicant has deliberately worsened their housing circumstances to qualify, the applicant may be excluded from the Housing Allocation Policy for 12 months, after which they can reapply. |
| Older persons’ accommodation | An applicant aged over 45 may be considered for older persons’ accommodation where:
|
| Offers of accommodation | Offers will be provisional until eligibility, qualification, landlord references and other pre-tenancy checks have been completed. The location and associated risks will be considered for applicants fleeing abuse, violence or harassment. |
Last updated 17 September 2026