The Conservative Party is facing criticism for a proposal that would remove foreign nationals’ eligibility for social housing, potentially putting families at risk of homelessness. The plan aims to free up approximately 230,000 homes by restricting social housing access to UK, Irish, or EU citizens only. Individuals in social housing who are not UK, Irish, or EU citizens would be required to vacate their homes under the proposed policy, even if they have children.

Currently, foreign nationals with settled status, refugee status, or specific humanitarian protections can qualify for social housing. However, couples where neither partner is a UK or EU citizen, and they lack EU settled status, would lose their entitlement. Those who do not meet the criteria outlined in the plan would need to find alternative housing within six months.

The Labour Party has accused Kemi Badenoch of adopting a policy from Reform without adequately addressing the housing crisis created by the government. A Labour Party spokesperson criticized the proposal as unfeasible and ineffective, emphasizing that it would predominantly impact refugees and long-term UK residents who have contributed to the country but are not British citizens, including NHS staff. Moreover, the spokesperson highlighted the potential increase in homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation at taxpayers’ expense.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage previously stated his intention to remove all foreign nationals from social housing, alleging a bias against white individuals in the current system. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham has voiced concerns about the housing crisis in the UK and pledged to initiate a significant council house building initiative.

According to the English Housing Survey, in 2024/25, 88.5% of main householders in social homes were UK or Irish nationals, with the remaining 11.5% being non-UK/Irish nationals. It is estimated that there are approximately 470,000 non-UK and non-Irish citizens residing in social housing.