Local connection and homelessness: what it means and when it matters

Apply to a council as homeless and it may look at your "local connection" to the area. Local connection matters in two spots. First, when the council thinks about referring you to a different council. Second, when you apply for a place on the housing register. Here is what counts as a local tie. Here is how it touches your application, and what to do when it gets used as a barrier.

What is local connection?

Local connection is a legal idea under the Housing Act 1996. You hold one to an area if:

• You normally live there, or did recently. Usually that means at least 6 of the past 12 months. Or at least 3 of the last 5 years
• You work there
• Close family lives there. Usually that means a parent, adult child, or sibling settled in the area at least 5 years
• Special circumstances apply, like medical treatment that needs you living there

A connection to England as a whole is not enough. It must tie to a specific council area.

Does local connection affect my right to get help when homeless?

No local tie is needed for emergency help. Homeless tonight, at any council? They must make a first assessment. They must also give you somewhere to stay meanwhile, where reason exists to believe you may be homeless, eligible, and in priority need. That holds whatever your local ties.

Local connection bites later, when the council weighs the main housing duty. Maybe no tie links you to the council you applied to. But one links you to another council in England, Wales, or Scotland. Then the first council may refer you to the other.

First, the referring council must be sure:

• No local connection ties you to their area
• One does tie you to the other council's area
• No risk of domestic abuse or other violence waits in that area

A risk of domestic abuse in the connected area means no referral there. The protection is absolute.

What if I have no local connection anywhere?

Truly no tie to any council in England, Wales, or Scotland? Then no referral elsewhere is possible. The council you applied to must handle the application itself.

It happens to people newly arrived in the UK. It happens to people who moved often. It happens to people who lost touch with family back home. Where it fits you, say so plainly in the application.

Local connection and the housing register

Councils can demand a local tie to join their housing register, the waiting list for social housing. The homelessness duty runs to a national standard. The register does not. Each council sets its own rules. Some run very strict. Others sit more open.

Refused a register place over local ties? Ask for a review. The council must check its rules were applied right, and that they are lawful.

When is local connection used unfairly?

Some councils use local connection to turn applications away unchecked. That is unlawful. Common failings:

• Refusing even to accept an application over a claimed lack of ties. The council must accept and assess first. Referral questions come later
• Referring someone to an area holding a risk of violence or abuse
• Running rules that are unlawful, or that discriminate on protected grounds
• Telling a homeless person to go to another council without the proper referral steps

Think local connection is blocking you unfairly? Put the objection in writing. Ask for a formal review. A housing adviser, or the housing team at a law centre, can help too.

See our guide: /help-centre/challenging-a-section-184-homeless-decision.

Sources

• Section 199, Housing Act 1996 (local connection) (legislation.gov.uk)

Related articles

• Homeless or being evicted, what to do
• How to apply as homeless to the council
• Priority need, homeless, what counts
• Challenging a Section 184 homeless decision
• Intentionally homeless, how to challenge