𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Reform UK will impose residency requirements of up to 10 years for social housing in London to end the “scourge of homelessness among Brits”. In the Party’s first election pledge ahead of the May 2026 London elections, it vowed that Reform-led councils will prioritise British citizens and veterans for social housing.

Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor of London, said: “For far too long, Brits have been pushed to the back of the housing queue and left homeless in their own country in favour of, in some cases, people that have only just arrived. Most shockingly of all veterans who have fought for Britain are promised priority, but in practice get nothing.”

“In May, Reform-led London councils will end this scandal. They will ensure that strong local ties are prioritised, and those who have lived and contributed to our communities come first.”

Reform, which took aim at the “scourge of homelessness among Brits”, plans to use powers under the Localism Act 2011 to impose the long-term residency requirements for social housing.

This means that only those who have lived in the borough for years will even be allowed to join the waiting list for social housing.
Several London councils impose residency restrictions for social housing, with many boroughs aligning around three to five years.
But Reform-controlled councils would sharply increase the qualifying period in order to “prioritise long-established local residents”. This could be up to 10 years, it is understood.

People applying to Hillingdon Council already need to provide evidence that they have lived in the borough for a minimum of 10 years.

Nearly 20% of social housing in London is occupied by foreign nationals.

Data collected by the Regulator of Social Housing for financial year 2024/25 states that 81.6% of lead tenants in social housing in London were UK nationals.

Ms Cunningham added: “Labour, Tories and Lib Dems have failed our own. Reform will finally put Brits and Londoners first again and make this city work for its people.”

Under the current rules, UK Armed Forces Veterans, domestic abuse survivors and care leavers under 25 are exempt from residency rules before accessing social housing.

Reform-led councils would continue to waive residency requirements for these groups.