How Long Does It Take To Become A Local?

A local connections policy which affects how some social housing is allocated in Pembrokeshire is currently under review. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Rural & Urban Connection Policy (RUCP) was introduced by Pembrokeshire County Council in 2015 to ensure that social housing in the County contributes to sustaining local communities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The aim was to give priority to applicants who could demonstrate a ‘local connection’ to the community, in relation to a third of available rural properties, and a tenth of available urban properties. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

However, following a 12-month review of the policy, it was identified that a more detailed analysis of the policy was required. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following a Cabinet meeting on 28th November 2016, it was recommended that the current RUCP does not continue and instead a stronger local connection should apply to Pembrokeshire as a whole. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As a result, the Choice Homes Partnership (Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire Housing and Wales & West Housing) is consulting with all relevant stakeholders to seek their views on the number of years they feel should be used when determining local connection. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The consultation was launched yesterday (2nd February) and will close on 17th March. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​