Housing – how to apply
Housing is a service provided by the Borough Council. They have a supply of rented accommodation which is maintained for them by various service providers.
This housing is available to all who need it, but is allocated on the basis of a series of criteria. These include local residency/family connections, housing need, time on register etc.
In order to ensure the information is as up to date as possible, we provide the link to the Borough’s dedicated Housing page – please click on the image to access this.
There is also local provision of accommodation with support – again this can be accessed via the Borough.
You will be aware that there is a development currently under construction near the Village Hall in Brancaster Staithe, where the fire destroyed the previous (unoccupied) houses. This too will be allocated in due course by the Borough scheme, but, if you are likely to be interested, Council recommends that you register as early as possible.
“Local Connection”
Priority is given to those with local connections – this is defined Borough-wide, rather than in relation to specific Towns/Villages.
We are advised by the Borough that the criteria are:
- you have been living in the area of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk for at least 3 out of the last 5 years or
- you have close family (parents, children, brothers or sisters) who have been living in the Borough for at least 5 years (any priority due will be one band lower than those with their own residential connection) You will also be considered as having a local connection if
- the Council owes you a duty to secure alternative accommodation because you are homeless, you have a priority need and a local connection in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 (amended).
- You are a current member of the Armed Forces or you have been discharged within 5 years of the date of your application. Bereaved spouses and civil partners of members of the Armed Forces leaving Services Family Accommodation following the death of their spouse or partner
- You are serving or who have served in the reserve forces and who is suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable (wholly or partly) to that service You may be considered to have a local connection if
- there are special circumstances (for example severe social or medical needs) why you need to live in the area. Evidence that extreme hardship would otherwise occur must be provided.
- you are an existing social housing tenant in another local authority districts and you have a need to move to West Norfolk because you already have genuine and effective work in the district or wish to take up an improved offer of such work here and failing to secure housing in West Norfolk would cause hardship. (Right to Move)
A more detailed version of this is available in the Borough allocation policy document
