North Northamptonshire Council has made radical changes to its housing allocation scheme. These proposed changes would leave thousands of applicants—and those with the greatest need—forced off the housing register. The council voted to exempt temporary accommodation from having to house those with “priority need” first. This is due to young people coming out of care, adults moving away from supported accommodation and domestic abuse related to the borough.
As a result, the council’s housing register in North Northamptonshire has exploded. It leaped from 2,937 applicants in April 2022 to an incredible 6,727 applicants as of April 2025. Amid soaring demand for housing, council officials have a new initiative in full bloom. This new system should prioritize aiding those who need it most urgently.
Samantha Dickson, housing options manager for the council, said the changes were needed. She cautioned that they might have an outsized and important effect on numerous applicants. The council will keep the flexibility to look at cases with “exceptional circumstances.” This particular focus on people with disabilities creates space for some flexibility in the funding allocation process.
Just last week, Conservative councillor Helen Howell told the Hartford Current where her worries lie. Lastly, she emphasized how these changes would take a toll on the most vulnerable in the community. She stated,
“This comes as a big blow.” – Helen Howell
Instead, the proposed allocation scheme would make all applicants in the two lowest bands eligible to be so-called ’decanted’ – i.e. completely taken off the housing register. People who own their houses, or rent out rooms or apartments to other people will be excluded from getting help. Anyone with a local connection to a village is ineligible for assistance.
The council quoted very low numbers of social homes let, just 1,528 in 2024-25. That is why it is so important to prioritize the need and a better allocation strategy. Evonne Coleman-Thomas, the Department’s assistant director for strategic housing, pointed to the changing nature of housing demand. She illuminated the difficulties that local councils are experiencing right now.
“We’re not in the place where we were probably 50, 60 years ago, when you could just walk up to the council and go ‘I’ll have that house please.’” – Evonne Coleman-Thomas
The council will deliver its final proposal to the executive in October. Following that, a six-week consultation period will begin to collect community input. The ultimate goal is to continue to better the allocation process, while still meeting the immediate needs of North Northamptonshire residents.
