The Council has revised its Housing Allocation Scheme to make sure it meets current legislative requirements, the latest Government guidance and case law.  

The main revisions: 

  • Improve the local connection qualification criteria for those wishing to join the housing register

  • Enhance the categories of vulnerable Applicants who are exempt from the need to meet the local connection criteria to be able to join the housing register

  • Update and clarify the financial qualification criteria required to join the housing register

  • Update banding for Care leavers, rough sleepers and victims of domestic abuse to ensure these vulnerable applicants are awarded sufficient priority.

  • Clearly set out and increase the circumstances where a direct allocation can be made.

In addition, some minor changes have been made to ensure the scheme provides full clarity in all cases, though these changes do not change the nature or intentions of the scheme itself. 

A full copy of the revised Housing Allocation Scheme is available here

The main changes are summarised below and will apply to all new applications from 1st June 2025.

1. Improved local connection qualification criteria to join the housing register

The revised Scheme ensures that those applicants who currently live or work in Mid Sussex and are in the greatest need are prioritised.  This is achieved by improving the local connection qualification criteria to join the housing register through residence as follows:   

  • Applicants will now have to be living and or working in the district continuously for 2 years to qualify and will no longer retain a local connection if they have resided in Mid Sussex for 3 years out of the previous 5 years.  There will be a protection period of 12 months should an Applicant move out of Mid Sussex during which their local connection will be retained.

  • Applicants will only acquire a local connection to qualify them to join the housing register through defined family members if it is necessary for them to reside in Mid Sussex to provide or receive significant and essential medical or social support.

2. Enhanced the categories of vulnerable applicants who are exempt from the need to meet the local connection criteria to be able to join the housing register

Added the following to those who are exempt from the need to meet the local connection criteria to be able to join the housing register:

  • Applicants who are gypsies or Travellers who do not fully meet the residence requirement if that period has been broken by travelling but have spent the majority of the last 2 years residing in Mid Sussex 

  • Applicants who are homeless as a result of fleeing domestic abuse who have established accommodation in Refuge in Mid Sussex or other temporary accommodation (unless placed in Mid Sussex by another housing authority)and are identified as high-risk victims, where it is safe for them to remain in Mid Sussex.

  • Divorced or separated spouses or civil partners of Service personnel who need to move out of accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence.  Such applicants will be exempt from the local connection criteria for a period of 6 months following the divorce or separation.  

3. Updated and clarified the financial qualification criteria required to join the housing register

Revised the financial qualification criteria to join the housing register by having different thresholds for different household accommodation size needs.

4. Updated banding for Care leavers, rough sleepers and victims of domestic abuse to ensure these vulnerable applicants are awarded sufficient priority.

Applicants who are homeless because of having to flee domestic abuse: 

Band B priority to Applicants fleeing domestic abuse who have: 

  1. been assessed by MARAC as needing to move urgently for the safety and security of themselves and or any dependent children

  2. had to leave their home and are either living in a refuge or temporary accommodation provided by Mid Sussex District Council and owed the Relief or Main Homelessness duty under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 and it is safe for them to live in Mid Sussex 

Band C priority to Applicants recovering from the impact of domestic abuse and has a medical condition or disability as a result which would significantly be improved by re-housing, and it would be safe for them to live in Mid Sussex  

Care Leavers: 

Band B priority to Care Leavers  

  1. assessed as ready to move to independent settled housing from their care placement or; 

  2. has been in care between the ages of 16 & 18 and is currently residing in supported accommodation and has been assessed as ready to live independently 

Rough Sleepers: 

Band C priority to Applicants who have been Verified as a Rough Sleeper 

5. Clearly set out and increased the circumstances where a direct allocation can be made

The revised Scheme extends the circumstance when homes can be allocated through Direct Allocation.  This will provide greater flexibility to provide assistance where there is an urgent or immediate need where appropriate.  It will also assist with ensuring that best use is made of limited stocks and that vulnerable applicants in particular circumstances are provided with accommodation suitable for their needs as soon as possible.  It will also assist the Council to discharge its duties under the Housing Act 1996 and reduce temporary accommodation costs.

6. Other minor textual changes to clarify, but not change, the meaning

There are several minor textual changes to some paragraphs that are required to clarify, but not change, the meaning of the Scheme. A revision of the Allocation Scheme is an opportunity to make these minor changes that occur from time to time.

Last updated: 28 May 2025