Document - A%20Guide%20to%20Social%20Housing%20Allocations.pdf
Document - Appendix%205%20EIA%20Forum%20Allocation%20Scheme.pdf
Document - Appendix%204%20Allocation%20and%20Homelessness%20in%20SOA.pdf
Document - Appendix%202%20Banding%20Changes.pdf
We want your views about how social housing is allocated in Stratford-on-Avon.
We are developing a new housing allocation policy for Stratford-on-Avon District Council and are inviting residents and stakeholders to give us their views.
We are keen to hear from applicants and from organisations that represent them. We are also seeking views from residents, voluntary and public sector agencies, and housing providers. The consultation on the proposed changes will run from 20 January 2026 to 3 March 2026.
We are proposing some changes to our Housing Allocations Policy and want to know your thoughts on the changes. The information contained on this page is provided to help you understand the background around how social housing is allocated and the proposed changes. The Council is currently part of the Home Choice Plus Partnership with Bromsgrove District Council and Wyre Forest District Council. The Home Choice Plus Partnership will cease to exist in Spring/Summer 2026 so each council is developing their own policy. Stratford-on-Avon's housing allocation policy will be called the Stratford-on-Avon Home Choice Policy.
In the time the partnership and policy have been in place, there have been significant changes in both the legislation and landscape relating to housing and homelessness with demand increasing. Stratford-on-Avon has seen an increase in social homes due to the successful annual delivery of new affordable homes however demand still significantly outstrips supply.
The Council has developed a new policy for Stratford-on-Avon which reflects local need as well as changes in law, regulation, our policies and good practice. The new policy is designed to improve the way that the Council allocates its properties to those in the greatest need. It provides a clear system, setting out a framework of eligibility, qualification, priority to social housing and how the Council will make best use of its homes. The proposed policy makes some changes that will affect households on the current housing register.
We want to hear from as many people as possible to help shape the new policy. Please tell us what you think of the changes by answering our consultation questions here. The deadline for responses is 4pm on 3rd March 2026.
You can read the draft Stratford-on-Avon Home Choice Policy here. We have summarised the changes to the policy in a table which you can read here. Other useful documents can be found at the bottom of this text, including our guide to housing allocations, the proposed new bandings, some FAQs for existing applicants and an infographic which illustrates demand. The existing policy can also be found here.
We have made printed copies of the consultation including all documents available at Elizabeth House and Alcester Library, Southam Library, Southam Town Council and Shipston Town Councils.
If you would like to respond in a different way, like a paper survey, please either email us at info@stratford-dc.gov.uk or call 01789 267 575. Please note, any data collected is managed in line with the Council's policy –you can find out more about this here.
What happens next?
Following this consultation, we will consider the responses received and take them into account to make changes to the draft version of the Housing Allocations Policy. This will then be considered by the Cabinet in Spring 2026, before seeking Council approval to adopt this as our new policy.
The new policy will be implemented later in the year alongside a new choice-based lettings system. As part of this, any existing members of the Housing Register will be asked to reapply – we will write to anyone affected in advance to outline when these changes will happen and to provide more details around the process and timelines. We will publish the results of this consultation as part of the Cabinet report in early 2026. Please note we will be unable to provide individual responses to any consultation feedback. You can check back on this site for further updates including the outcome of the consultation and the final policy.
Drop-In Consultation Events
Stratford-on-Avon District Council is hosting two drop-in consultation events at the Fred Winter Centre, where residents, partners and stakeholders can speak with officers and ask questions about the proposed new policy.
Booking is required.
Event dates and Location:
27 January 2026 — 10:30am to 12:00pm
This event can be booked here. You can view the Privacy Statement for the consultation here. The booking form for this event has been created through Microsoft Office. The Microsoft Privacy Statement can be viewed here.
10 February 2026 — 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Fred Winter Centre, 41 Guild Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6QY
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Council consulting on changes to the Allocations Policy?
The Council is required to review its Housing Allocations Policy regularly to ensure it meets legal requirements, reflects local housing need and operates fairly and transparently. The consultation provides residents and applicants with an opportunity to comment on proposed changes before the policy is finalised.
I don't like the proposed changes - can I submit a complaint?
No. There is no right of complaint about proposals that are still being consulted on. However, you can and should tell us what you do not like and why through the consultation survey. Your feedback will help inform the final version of the policy.
I am a current applicant on the register - what do I need to do?
In relation to the proposed changes, please review the consultation documents and let us know your thoughts. At the point the new policy goes live, you will be invited to reapply and your application will be reassessed in line with the policy so it's important that you share your views on the proposed changes which may impact whether you can join the register and what priority banding you are awarded.
Your current application remains live and you can continue to bid on properties as you have been doing until now.
When the new policy has been approved in Spring 2026, if you haven't been rehoused and are still on the register, we will write to you to let you know when the new policy will take effect from. This is likely to be in Summer 2026, but we will give you advance notice.
What happens if I don't reapply when the new policy goes live?
If you do not submit a new application within the timeframe we provide, your existing application will be closed. You may reapply at any time afterwards, but it will be treated as a new application under the new policy.
If I get offered a property, will the new policy affect me?
No - housing will be allocated in line with the existing policy until the new policy comes into effect. The "go live" date will be communicated in advance and will not affect any allocations which have been made.
I have already been on the register for some time without getting rehoused - is this right?
In Stratford on Avon, there are more people on the housing register than there are homes available. This means that depending on your banding, the type and location of properties you are bidding on and the type and size of your household, it is possible you could face waiting for a considerable time before an allocation takes place. Due to demand outstripping supply, some applicants may never be made an offer of social housing.
Will my banding change under the new policy?
It is possible. When the new policy goes live, all applicants will be asked to reapply. Your circumstances will be reassessed in line with the new criteria, which may result in a higher, lower or unchanged banding.
Because the proposed changes could affect your priority, we strongly encourage you to read the consultation documents and give your feedback.
Under the proposed policy, some people who are currently eligible may not be able to join the register in future, depending on the new criteria. This is why it is important to take part in the consultation and tell us how the changes may affect you.
Will the number of bedrooms I am entitled to change?
Your bedroom entitlement will be assessed using the rules in place at the time you apply or reapply. If the new policy proposes changes to how bedroom need is determined, these will be detailed in the consultation information.
Will medical or welfare priority change?
The consultation documents set out proposed criteria for medical and welfare priority, which may differ from the current approach. If these areas affect you, please review these sections carefully and provide feedback.
Will the new policy change the s106 criteria?
No - the policy will work alongside any s106 criteria. For some properties, there are restrictions in place which mean that homes are prioritised for local people. This means that when the Council nominates someone to a Registered Provider, it will be the highest banded applicant with a local connection to an area. This does sometimes mean that where someone has a local connection to a parish, they are successful in their bid for the property against other applicants with a higher priority banding but without a local connection.
I see properties advertised with local connection criteria to a local area within the District e.g. Wellesbourne - will the new policy change this?
No - these local connection criteria tied to specific areas are legal requirements which have been agreed as part of a s106 agreement. The Council has agreed these provisions as part of its approach to granting planning permission to ensure that there are local homes for local people.
These contractual agreements are in addition to the policy criteria on local connection which is one of the proposed changes. This sets out the type of local connection you must have to Stratford on Avon District (including residence, employment or close family links) and any exceptions (for example someone who is homeless and fleeing due to domestic abuse).
What are the proposed changes to the District-wide local connection criteria?
The consultation outlines the types of local connection needed to join the register (for example, residence, employment, or close family links) and sets out any exceptions, such as for people fleeing domestic abuse. Please review the proposed criteria carefully and share your views.
Can I still bid for properties during the consultation period?
Yes. Your application will continue as normal under the current policy until the new policy is approved and a go-live date is confirmed. You should continue to place bids each week if you are eligible.
I am homeless or threatened with homelessness - will these changes affect me?
The homelessness legislation remains unchanged. If you are owed a statutory homelessness duty, we will continue to support you in line with legal requirements. However, your housing register application will still need to be reassessed under the new allocations policy when it goes live, so please take part in the consultation as the changes may affect your banding.
How will I be notified about the new policy?
All current applicants will be written to before the new policy goes live. The communication will explain the policy changes, the date the new system will start, and how to reapply.
When will the new policy take effect?
The new policy is expected to be approved in Spring 2026 and implemented in Summer 2026. Applicants will receive advance notice of the exact date.
Can I join the register now, or should I wait?
You can apply to join the register now - your application will be assessed in line with the existing policy.
What happens if my circumstances change before the new policy begins?
You must continue to report changes in circumstances as usual. We will reassess your application under the current policy until the new policy is implemented.
