Local Connection and Home-Options

We take local connection into account when we decide to whom we should make an offer of property. We give priority to people who have a local connection to the area where the property is.

Who has a local connection?

You may have a local connection to an area if:

  • you have lived in the area for the last six months or more
  • you have had permanent (not seasonal or temporary) employment in an area for the last six months or more
  • you have previously lived in an area for three out of the last five years
  • you need to move to the area to give or receive support (the person to whom you will be providing support to, or receiving support from, must have lived in the area for at least six months (evidence of the support provided/needed will be required))
  • you have been accepted as homeless by one of the Home-Options partners.

You may also be awarded a local connection if you would normally live in the Home-Options area but currently have to live away because you are:

  • a student
  • serving in the armed forces
  • in prison
  • receiving specialist medical treatment.

You can also be awarded a local connection if you are vulnerable due to a learning disability and need to move to access day centres, volunteering opportunities or be-friending groups.

How we take local connection into account when letting properties

For Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash, High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands:

We consider your local connection before your priority band. For example, if we advertise a property in Long Eaton (in Erewash), we will offer the property to people with a local connection to Erewash in the first instance. Only once all the people with a local connection to Erewash have been considered would we offer the property to people with a local connection to other Home-Options areas, and after that, anyone else registered on Home-Options (except applicants registered with Chesterfield Borough Council who have no local connection to any Home-Options area).

For Chesterfield:

We consider your local connection before your priority band. For example, if we advertise a property in Chesterfield, we will offer the property to people with a local connection to Chesterfield in the first instance. Only once all the people with a local connection to Chesterfield have been considered would we offer the property to anyone who is registered with Home-Options.

Local lettings plans

Sometimes a local lettings plan will override the normal local connection criteria. Where this is used, it will be clearly stated in the advert.

See the Local Lettings Plans and Planning Restrictions page for more details.

Peak District National Park Planning Requirements

The Peak District National Park has strict planning requirments, often expecting applicants to be able to demonstrate a connection of 10 - 20 years with the parish where the property is located (or a neighbouring parish). If you do not meet these requirements then you will not be offered the prioperty so please do not waste your bids.

If you are unsure whether you have a connection to a parish in the Peak District National Park, please contact your local Home-Options team.

Further information

See the Home-Options Allocation Policie for further information about local connection.