Council Rips Up the Social Housing Rule Book

Hammersmith and Fulham (HandF) Council is to be the first local authority in the country to simultaneously introduce fixed term social housing tenancies and a maximum income cap for people wishing to access the housing register.  The council will be ripping up the social housing rule book from April 2013 when it will introduce a number of radical policies which seek to increase low-cost homeownership, tackle the social and economic divide in the borough and give a far greater priority for council housing to people who are making a community contribution.  From April 2013 the council will prevent households with incomes of more than £40,200 who need one or two-bedroom homes from accessing the housing register.  It will give priority to people with local connections, members of the armed forces and those who have made a community contribution. H&F, has one of the highest proportions of social housing in London as a proportion of total housing, with around 34 per cent social rented.  Read more on the HandF website.