PRIORITIES for social housing in Huddersfield could soon change.

Cabinet members will be asked next Wednesday to approve changes to the council’s social housing policy.

It will mean that while there will be open access to social housing for all, some people will be classed as low priority.

These will include those already living in their own home, people with housing debt, a history of anti-social behaviour or no local connection.

The proposed changes also include:

Prospective tenants allocated properties of the same size and type for which they would be eligible to claim housing benefit.

Prospective adopters and foster parents will be able to bid for, and move to, a larger home which allows them to become parents

All homes will be available to tenants of any age – with the exception of the council’s retirement living properties, which are reserved for people over the age of 60.

Where tenants die and they do not have a spouse or partner living with them, their tenancy can be inherited by another person, for example, a son or a daughter,

Homeless households can be housed in appropriate private-rented accommodation.

It is also expected that the changes will deal with under-occupied homes, as people living in them will see housing benefit cut from next April.