Tories' Plan to Ban Foreign Nationals From Social Housing Condemned As Divisive

Housing charity says move would drive up homelessness, while Labour dismisses proposal as 'unworkable'. Plans to ban foreign nationals from social housing under a Conservative government have been condemned as 'divisive'. Under proposals revealed on Friday, the party said about 230,000 homes would become available if foreign nationals were prevented from accessing social housing.

Ending new tenancies for all foreign nationals, as well as current tenancies for couples where neither person is a UK, Irish or EU citizen, would free up an estimated 228,144 homes for British families, the party said. Under the plans, tenants in England who do not qualify for the housing would be expected to move out of their homes within six months. Foreign nationals with settled status, refugee status or specific humanitarian protections currently qualify for social housing. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing, unless in exceptional circumstances such as domestic abuse cases.