Government pledge to help care leavers into social housing 'will literally save lives'

Care leavers under the age of 25 and victims of domestic abuse will be given better access to social housing from next month in a move that has been praised as “life-saving”.

The government has announced that both groups will be exempt from the local connection test that restricts access to social housing for people who do not have a link to the area in England where they are applying for a home.

Angela Rayner, deputy prime minister and housing secretary, said: “It breaks my heart to hear countless stories of people leaving the care system or fleeing an abusive relationship and not having a place they can truly call home. We’re rewriting the rules to help get them a roof over their heads and the security they deserve.

“Our changes will make sure these vulnerable groups do not face unfair barriers to safe and secure housing. This is backed by our commitment to secure the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation, and through our Plan for Change we are going further and faster to make this a reality.”  

The decision comes months after a cross-party group of MPs and people with care-experienced delivered a petition to Downing Street in a bid to change the rules.

The group argued that care leavers were falling into homelessness with the rules acting as a barrier to accessing housing.

Prime minister Keir Starmer announced at last year’s Labour party conference that veterans, domestic abuse victims and care leavers would be exempt from the local connection test.

But, while veteran exemptions were introduced in November, the wait for care leavers has been a longer one.

Care experienced student Kerrie Portman told Big Issue she was “very excited” by the move but called for care leavers of all ages to be included.

“Being excluded from local connection was part of why I experienced repeated homelessness over the past few years, including a period of squatting and rough sleeping,” said Portman.

“This not only has a massive moral cost, but also costs the state more. I never physically or mentally recovered from any time I was homeless, struggle to form safe relationships due to the abuse and grooming I experienced while squatting, I faced further disruption to my education and struggle to find employment due to lack of experience, but I never had the opportunity to gain work experience when I was on-and-off homeless since leaving care.

“Social housing massively reduces the risk of homelessness and provides security, allowing care leavers to try to build lives for ourselves, and feel settled, which many of us won’t have experienced as looked after children with frequent placement moves. I am very glad the Labour government has taken this step, as it will literally save lives.”

Around 4,300 care leavers experienced homelessness in 2023, according to government figures, representing a 54% rise in the last five years.

Campaigner Terry Galloway said care leavers who now have access to social housing as a result of the changes to the local connection test must be treated as a priority.

“It’s a vital step forward, my sister was murdered by her boyfriend and 66% of children come into care because of abuse or neglect so it is right to do, but it’s only the beginning,” said Galloway.

“The statutory guidance set to be published on 10 July is now critical. I’m doing everything I can to ensure that when it is released, care leavers and survivors of domestic abuse are not just included but prioritised and treated the same as care leavers from that area.

“Everyone who cares for the outcomes of care experienced people should be pushing for this. We have come this far: government, please listen to our voice and ensure there is clarity and no longer a postcode lottery for care leavers seeking housing.”

Under the new rules, care leavers under the age of 25 and domestic abuse survivors will no longer be unfairly penalised for not having a local connection, the government said. This will recognise the unique challenges they can face, such as transitioning out of care or fleeing an unsafe home to seek safety.

Read more:

• ‘You’re basically abandoned’: How care leavers are forced from foster homes as soon as they turn 18
• Hundreds of care leavers were given free money, no strings attached. Here’s what happened
• Labour could build 500,000 social homes ‘at a stretch’ with £39bn affordable housing pledge

The announcement comes after the government pledged £39bn to boost the number of social homes across England at the spending review.

Katharine Sacks-Jones, CEO of care charity Become, said: “Removing the local connection test will prevent forced moves, could help reduce homelessness and give care leavers a more positive start to adulthood.”

Youth homelessness charity Centrepoint’s Balbir Kaur Chatrik, added: “It’s also an important step towards ending youth homelessness and protecting the most vulnerable. Taken together with funding for prevention and housebuilding, this brings us a bit closer over the short and long-term towards ensuring young people are getting the support they need.”

It’s not only in England where leaders are pledging to prevent care leavers from falling into homelessness.

The Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill, which is currently making its way through the Senedd, is aiming to ensure no one will leave care and end up homeless.

Under the plans, care leavers will have a “reasonable preference” for social housing allocation, allowing them to find a suitable home.

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