Locals to be prioritised for housing in Wandsworth

Edward Lister labelled the current social housing system “unfair and unwieldy” and said priority should be restored to local people.

Numbers on Wandsworth’s list have tripled in the last eight years after a new law opened the floodgates to those living outside the borough.

Councillor Lister said: “We have been pressing ministers for this change which will allow us to restore a measure of priority for people from Wandsworth.

“The main factor in allocating properties will always be housing need. But the current free-for-all is simply unfair and unwieldy. It makes it impossible to get a clear picture of local needs.

“Councils must be free to take account of local connections.”

Since the Homelessness Act was passed in 2002, councils been unable to give any weight to local applicants.

The result was that numbers on local lists have soared as people took the opportunity to register with a variety of different councils.

At the weekend, housing minister Grant Shapps said councils would be able to take into account “the desire of local people” in framing new allocation policies.

The move would mean councils could consider other factors when allocating houses, including how long someone has lived in the area.

It could mean people from abroad, including refugees and economic migrants, sinking down lists because of their lack of connections locally.

However, those who are homeless, bringing up children or have other needs would still be given priority.

The news has sparked anger at the Refugee Council, which said it was inhumane to make people wait because they were born in another country.

Donna Covey, chief executive of the refugee council said: "That would be no way to treat people who have suffered unimaginable horrors in their own countries and have subsequently been offered protection here.

"They must ensure people who have been granted asylum here are given the same opportunities as other people living in the UK, as is their right."