Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Applicant households are assessed for eligibility in the first instance, which primarily relate to income, availability of alternative accommodation and previous rent arrears. Then, if deemed eligible, their housing need is assessed under the criteria in Regulation 23 of the 2011 Regulations, as amended, having regard to its current accommodation.
There are no grounds to deem a household ineligible for social housing support based on the proportion of their net income which is needed to pay their rent. It may be the case that some households meet the eligibility criteria for social housing but a housing need cannot be established. Ultimately, decisions on the qualification of households for social housing support, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are a matter solely for the local authority concerned.
