Bedford Borough Council has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the borough’s Housing Allocations Scheme, which sets out how applicants are assessed and prioritised for social housing.
In a letter announcing the review, the council said the allocations scheme is a “vital document” which explains how applicants are assessed when they approach the authority for housing, and sets out the housing legislation the council must follow.
The council said it is good practice to review the scheme regularly, and noted that it was last updated in April 2021.
The consultation began on Thursday, 12 February and will run until late March, with responses to be collated and considered before any updated scheme is published.
Under the current 2021 allocations scheme, applicants normally need to have lived in Bedford borough for at least three years in order to qualify through residence.
The revised February 2026 draft proposes extending this requirement to five years of continuous residence in what the council defines as “settled accommodation.”
The draft scheme also sets out that certain forms of accommodation, such as temporary arrangements with family or friends, hostels, prisons or hospitals, would not normally be treated as settled housing for the purpose of meeting the local connection requirement.
Updated financial criteria
The draft scheme also includes updated financial qualifying criteria for joining the housing register.
It proposes maximum gross household income thresholds depending on the size of property required, ranging from £31,000 for a one-bedroom home to £61,000 for four bedrooms or more.
The draft also proposes savings and asset thresholds, including £8,000 for single households and £16,000 for couples or households with more than two adults.
The current 2021 scheme uses different income thresholds, including £28,000 for a one-bedroom requirement and £35,000 for a two-bedroom requirement.
In the draft document, the council states that demand for social housing remains high compared with limited supply, and that access to the scheme is restricted to households that meet specific criteria.
The scheme sets out categories of applicants who may be given priority, including people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, living in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions, or who have specific medical or support needs.
Residents can submit comments through the council’s online survey here or by emailing HousingConsultations@bedford.gov.uk.
Once consultation feedback has been finalised, the council said any proposed amendments will be considered before an updated Housing Allocations Scheme is published.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
