Senior councillors are expected to back changes to Pembrokeshire’s social housing policy which will soften a residents only condition for housing allocation in the county.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy and pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee considered changes to the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire Allocations Policy, which governs social housing allocations across the county.

Housing cabinet member Cllr Michelle Bateman presented the proposals before Cabinet considers them on November 2.

Housing partners reviewed the policy in 2024 and 2025 as pressure on the housing register grew, a report said.

The partners developed and consulted on a revised common allocations policy, the report said.

One key proposal required applicants to show either five consecutive years living in Pembrokeshire or five continuous years there during the previous 15 years.

The policy was reviewed again after the Welsh Government issued revised statutory guidance on housing allocations and homelessness.

“The review concluded that whilst residential connection remains an important factor in meeting local housing objectives, in order to be compliant with legislation and guidance, it would be more appropriate for residential connection to operate as a factor influencing priority within the allocation scheme rather than as a qualifying criterion preventing access to the Housing Register.”

The proposed system has five priority bands, from A to E, with priority given to applicants who have a local connection; band E would cover eligible applicants without one, but at a lower priority.

“This approach continues to recognise connections to Pembrokeshire whilst avoiding exclusion from the housing register for those with housing need and no residential connection.

“It is important that the allocations policy seeks to balance local housing priorities and local connection considerations with the needs to ensure that we give reasonable preference to applicants with the greatest housing need, including homeless households, applicants living in unsuitable or overcrowded housing, those with medical or welfare needs, and those who would suffer hardship without a move.”

Applicants with high housing need and a residential connection would be placed in band A, while those without a connection would be placed in band C, the same band proposed for applicants with low need and a connection.

A medium need would be placed in band B and D respectively, a low need band C and E; the new no housing need in band D and E.

The policy also includes exemptions for special circumstances.

Cllr Bateman stressed that the changes would not affect new developments in Saundersfoot and Tenby with their own local lettings policies, and said they were unrelated to any policy on housing asylum seekers.

She added: “This is completely unrelated to any ‘Nation of Sanctuary’ schemes, they are dealt with by the Home Office.”

If Cabinet approves it, the new policy is expected to launch in February 2027.