THOUSANDS of families across Dorset waiting for homes may face being taken off the register.

Councils which form the Dorset Choice-Based Lettings Partnership have reviewed the policies which set out how social housing is allocated.

And people on the waiting list have from today until November 11 to submit their details, or they will be removed from the list.

The changes that affect all the councils which form the partnership are:

  • A requirement for a local connection to the authority area being applied to in order to be able to remain on or join the register;
  • Applicants that are deemed to have the financial means to address their housing situation will be unable to remain on or join the register;
  • Applicants who are adequately housed will no longer be able to remain on or join the register.

West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland councils both also have their own new measures in addition.

Council briefholder for housing Kevin Brookes, pictured, said the policies will ensure that local people are top priority.

There are currently 3,323 families or individuals on the waiting list for Weymouth and Portland- but 976 of those currently live outside the borough.

Cllr Brookes said: “The way the current system has been set up is that just about anybody from anywhere can put their name down, irrespective of need.

“Now it will be worked so that we can make sure those allocated are most in need.

“I would urge everybody on the list to fill out the form and return it by the deadline if they wish to remain on it.”

He said the numbers have always been ‘slightly distorted’ because the majority of the people on the list are in ‘suitable accommodation.’ But some question what ‘suitable accommodation’ means and fear they will be told they are no longer eligible because they are working.

Dave Hamilton, who works full time, is on the waiting list to move out of a one-bedroom flat in Littlemoor he shares with his wife and two sons.

The children, aged seven and six weeks, have to share the lounge-dining area as a bedroom. The family are not seen as a priority case.

And now Mr Hamilton worries that instead of seeing they need more space, officers will say the family is no longer eligible for social housing.

“I am really worried they will turn round and say we are adequately housed,” said Mr Hamilton.

“We pay for everything - there’s nothing left at the end of the month.

“You hope they will be logical about it, but for people like us who work, it doesn’t look like this is going to be a good thing.”

'What a waste of time'

ONE self-employed father, who lives with his wife and three children in a two-bedroom flat and has been on the register for seven years, told the Echo: “We had to update our details only last week, then today we get this letter saying we now need to re-apply completely – what a waste of time.

“I am worried. I don’t know where we stand.”

He said the letter he has been sent seems ‘slap dash’ and doesn’t adequately address the changes.