Households earning more than £40,200 will be denied social housing under changes being brought in by a London borough.
Hammersmith and Fulham council has unveiled the radical reforms, including new fixed-terms for social housing tenancies.
Individuals who make a “community contribution” — such as foster parents or people looking for work or in training — will also be prioritised on the waiting list for a home, as will local, working residents and members of the armed forces.
The changes are likely to be controversial but Hammersmith and Fulham believes they will create more mixed communities and encourage more people to seek work rather than rely on benefits.
Andrew Johnson, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We believe that the notion of a tenancy for life is outdated and that it’s wrong to expect to inherit a welfare benefit in the form of a subsidised house irrespective of housing need.
“Instead, we want to give honest, hard-working, local residents on low to middle incomes, who make a positive contribution to their local communities, the opportunity to access social housing.”
Currently, anyone can apply for social housing. People on low incomes who are allocated a home can retain it even if their salary rises substantially.
In future, Hammersmith and Fulham will generally ask people to move out of social housing at the end of a tenancy once their income rises above £40,200. The new rules are due to come in next April.
