 Nottingham City Council is reviewing its Housing Allocations Policy, which includes a public consultation to allow local residents and stakeholders to give their views.
Housing allocations policies determine who can join the housing register for social housing and the level of priority awarded based on an applicant’s circumstances.
The consultation starts week commencing Monday 25th August and will run for six weeks.
The full draft Housing Allocations Policy, summary document, and survey is available to view at: www.nottinghamhomelink.org.uk/consultation
The deadline for comments is Friday 3 October. All the comments received will help to form the final policy before it goes live.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), in partnership with Homeless Link, is conducting research to gain deeper insights into the homelessness sector workforce.
This research will help identify and articulate workforce needs and inform strategies to better support staff, who are working with people experiencing homelessness.
Individual Survey – is open to anyone working in homelessness services, both commissioned and non-commissioned. This survey needs to be completed by 22nd August.
|
Nottingham Rental Standard partner DASH Services has launched a FREE online training tool to help housing professionals explore the Renters' Rights Bill.
This FREE training is delivered in two parts to help everyone navigate these changes:
Part 1 covers:
- Abolition of Section 21 Notices and Fixed Term Tenancies
- Grounds for Possession
- Rent - Prohibition of Rent in Advance, Rent Increases and Ban on Rental
- Bidding, Pets, Prohibition of Rental Discrimination
- Written Statement of Terms & Implementation
Part 2 covers:
- Awaab's Law
- PRS Ombudsman
- PRS Database
- Decent Homes Standard
- Strengthened Enforcement inc. RROs
|
The consultation was seeking views on changes to eligibility requirements, exempted from sale and simplification of rules on the spending of Right to Buy receipts.
The consultation outcome is to bring forward legislation to implement the following reforms:
- RTB eligibility will increase from 3 to 10 years
- A maximum discount cap
- RTB will not be extended to Registered Providers
- Newly built homes will be exempt for 35 years
- Repayment period will increase from 5 to 10 years.
Nottingham City Council welcomes any opportunity to retain its high demand social housing and the protection of newly built housing.
|
On 10 June, the government confirmed that rough sleeping will no longer be treated as a criminal offence, with the Vagrancy Act 1824 set to be formally repealed by Spring 2026..
The decision to scrap the Act aligns with the government’s wider focus on addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as mental health challenges, trauma, and substance use. Ministers have also made clear that anti-social behaviour will continue to be tackled using appropriate, modern legislation that does not criminalise people for simply being without a home.
This marks a significant step in creating a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to homelessness in England.
|
|
The government has announced changes to social housing policies, removing local connection requirements for care leavers under 25 and survivors of domestic abuse.
Previously, nearly 90% of councils used local connection criteria to determine eligibility. The new rules, effective next month, aim to ensure that individuals transitioning out of care or fleeing unsafe situations can access housing support without facing geographic restrictions.
This initiative is part of the government's broader £39 billion investment in the Affordable Homes Programme, which seeks to build 1.5 million homes over the next decade. The changes are expected to alleviate housing pressures for families and young people across the country.
|
Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards has issued a warning about scam text messages claiming to offer a DWP energy support grant. These messages may pressure recipients to act quickly, ask for personal details, or request payment to make a claim.
Residents are advised not to respond or click any links as The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will never ask for personal information or payments to be made in this way.
Suspicious texts can be reported by forwarding them to 7726, which helps mobile providers block scam senders. If you're unsure whether a message is genuine, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service at 0808 223 1133 for support.
|
The Government is seeking views on a proposal to introduce Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for socially rented homes in England. Currently, these homes typically meet EPC D-level performance. The proposal aims to raise the bar to EPC C (or equivalent) by 2030, aligning with efforts in the private sector and embedding it within the revised Decent Homes Standard on thermal comfort.
The maximum a provider would be required to spend to comply with MEES between now and 1 April 2030 is £10,000 per property. It does not include shared ownership properties. Stakeholders are invited to respond to questions by 10 September 2025.
|
Nottingham’s domestic sector cut its carbon emissions by 6.9% between 2022 and 2023. This was driven by greener electricity (-13.8%), lower use of network gas (-3.8%), and a sharp drop in other fuels (-23.0%). On average, residents produced 0.92 tonnes of CO₂ each in 2023, down from 0.99 in 2022.
Although the domestic share of the city’s total CO₂ rose slightly (29.5%), this reflects big falls elsewhere — with industry down 10.5% and the public sector down 28.3%. Transport, however, remains the largest share at 38.1%.
Overall, Nottingham has already cut domestic CO₂ by 51.8% since 1996 and is on track to meet the national COP29 target of an 81% cut by 2035.
 
 During winter 2024/25, Nottingham households received £3.6 million through the Warm Home Discount (WHD), with 16.8% of homes benefiting — slightly up on the previous year. The number of homes supported rose to 24,276, compared with 15,861 in 2022/23.
The government has announced that the £150 discount will expand further in winter 2025/26, helping an additional 160,000 homes in the East Midlands. For the first time, this will include some social housing tenants in flats and more energy-efficient homes who were previously excluded under high-cost-to-heat rules.
This expansion will provide extra support for families on means-tested benefits, cutting energy costs for those most in need.
Nottingham’s housing stock has achieved a major milestone, with the median EPC rating moving up to C (69) in March 2025, an improvement from D (68) the previous year. This is the first time all-tenure homes in the city have reached Band C.
Band C is the government’s likely statutory target for social housing and private rented homes by 2030, with owner-occupied homes in fuel poverty encouraged to meet the same goal voluntarily. The ambition extends to all homes by 2035.
|
The Council is moving forward with proposals to build new, energy-efficient council homes in Bulwell and St Ann’s as part of the Building a Better Nottingham programme.
In Bulwell, an under-used garage site behind Colston Road and Austin Street could be transformed into 32 one-bedroom flats in a four-storey block. The support would be offered to current renters for alternative spaces.
In St Ann’s, the council plans to redevelop a retail parade near Robin Hood Chase, creating around 15 new council houses.
Both developments aim to offer affordable rents and lower energy bills, funded through updated Right to Buy.
|
The council has celebrated a major milestone in its Building a Better Nottingham programme, letting its 1,000th new council home. Launched in 2013, the initiative replaces outdated social housing with energy-efficient, high-quality homes for residents on the housing register.
The programme has delivered homes across 17 city wards. Developments include award-winning sites like Palmer Court and major regeneration projects in Lenton, Bestwood, and St Ann’s.
Councillor Jay Hayes highlighted that these new homes help offset those lost through the Right to Buy scheme, offering spacious, affordable, and energy-efficient housing.
|
 The Eastglade housing development officially opened in Top Valley. This development is designed in collaboration between the council and Pelham Architects.
Built on the former Eastglade School site, the development delivers 106 new council homes—23 one-bed flats, 63 two-bed houses, and 20 three-bed homes—making it one of the city’s largest recent council housing projects.
The scheme prioritises energy efficiency with a fabric-first design, solar panels, and EV charging points.
Pelham Architects designed Farnborough Court, an older persons’ housing scheme in Clifton, commissioned by Nottingham Community Housing Association. Completed in March 2025, the three-storey development comprises 56 self-contained affordable-rent units: 38 one-bed flats, 12 two-bed flats, and 6 one-bed bungalows.
Set on a brownfield site in the green belt, the building integrates with a wider mixed‑use community while preserving countryside views.
Driven by sustainability, the gas-free scheme achieves energy rating B with air source heat pumps, solar panels, green roofs and walls, and EV charging points—aimed at near-zero carbon operations.
|
NCHA (Nottingham Community Housing Association) has officially begun work on a new housing development, which will see 102 affordable homes built across two long-vacant brownfield sites. The project includes 57 homes on former playing fields at Piccadilly and Brooklyn Road in Highbury Vale, and 45 homes at the old Henry Mellish School site on Highbury Road.
The homes will offer a mix of two- and three-bedroom properties, designed to meet local housing needs while prioritising sustainability and energy efficiency.
Construction is expected to take around two years.
|
Strata has secured planning permission for 130 new homes on a 15-acre site north of Chingford Road, Bilborough. The development will feature a mix of two to five-bedroom homes, with 20% affordable housing and every property fitted with an electric vehicle charging point.
The scheme will also deliver significant community benefits, including £400,000 for secondary school places and £60,000 for employment and training. The land was allocated for housing in 2020, and this marks Strata’s second major project in the area.
|
NCHA (Nottingham Community Housing Association) have officially opened a new service in Radford for homeless families.
With 48 independent flats for adults and children, Sutton House offers secure short-term accommodation for families while they look for something more permanent.
Many of the families at Sutton House have moved in after months in unsuitable hotel accommodation, often having to pack up and move on with less than 12 hours’ notice. This new stepping stone service will support positive mental health and improved wellbeing for parents and their children, by reducing uncertainty and anxiety.
|
Recent figures show that Nottingham recorded 56 people sleeping rough on a single night in 2024, up from 46 the previous year. While this is an increase of 22%, similar rises have been seen in other cities, with some experiencing even steeper growth, such as Leicester (135%), Wolverhampton (33%) and Sandwell (167%).
Across the 10 cities in the comparison, the average was 40.8 people in 2024, meaning Nottingham’s figures remain above average. However, the data highlights that rough sleeping is a growing challenge nationwide, not just in Nottingham, as no city had a drastic decrease in numbers, and other cities, such as Bristol (77) and Leicester (61), saw higher numbers as well.
Council is offering the Winter Support Grant 2025–26, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Grants of £3,000–£7,000 are available to help local organisations support households facing higher living costs this winter, particularly with energy bills. No match funding is required.
Funding can be used for projects such as warm hubs, food banks, community cafés, distribution of essentials (food, clothing, blankets), or energy-saving measures.
Eligible applicants include charities, CICs, social enterprises, constituted community groups, and public sector bodies operating within Nottingham City. Organisations must have been active for at least 12 months, have delivered similar local work in the past year, and hold no outstanding debt to the Council.
Deadline for applications: 14 September 2025 (23:59)
Funds must be spent by: 13 March 2026
|
Wellness in Mind is a new NHS-funded service delivered by Framework. It provides adults with free, instant mental health support—no waiting lists or appointments required. The service was developed with input from people with lived experience and focuses on early intervention. Trained advisers offer one-to-one sessions, guided self-help, mindfulness, coping strategies, and peer support. Support is available online, by phone, or in person.
To access support, call 0800 561 0073 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5:30pm) or complete an online form at www.wellnessinmind.org.
A drop-in centre operates at the Wellbeing Hub, 73 Hounds Gate, Nottingham, with plans for sessions in Mansfield, Newark, Worksop, and Beeston
|
Fearless Youth Association is running a series of free workshops designed to help young people (16–25) from the asylum-seeking community build digital and employment skills.
These sessions offer practical, hands-on support with:
- Creating strong CVs and completing applications
- Effective job search techniques
- Enhancing digital confidence and ability
- Preparing for interviews and workplace expectations.
To get involved, email [email protected], call 0115 850 1710 or 07563 197748, or complete the registration form below.
|
Framework teamed up with It’s in Nottingham for the first joint litter pick as part of the new Working Together campaign.
The event not only cleared litter but sparked positive conversations with passers-by, many expressing gratitude and pride in their city. Volunteers also noted the efforts already made by residents and businesses, with rubbish neatly bagged for collection.
If you also want to make a positive difference in your neighbourhood, visit Nottingham City Council’s Clean Champions scheme and find out how.
|
A newly released Peer Research Manual offers a practical guide for organisations aiming to embed lived experience into research.
Developed over two years by individuals with experience of homelessness, the manual is inclusive, trauma-informed, and adaptable across sectors—from housing to migration. It includes five key sections:
- setting up a peer group,
- project planning workbook,
- session guides,
- personal stories,
- glossary.
Designed for accessibility and safety, it helps uncover hidden issues and empower communities. Whether you're tackling homelessness or broader social challenges, this manual is a vital tool for ethical, impactful research.
|
In the year to May 2025 the average cost of a home rose by 3.8% in Nottingham, according to the UK House Price Index. However, there has been very little growth in the months since last August, when the average was £193,387 – nearly £400 less than the average in May 2025.
While slightly ahead of England’s yearly growth rate of 4.4%, Nottingham is behind the region (+5.0%) and Nottinghamshire (7.1%). Detached houses compared particularly poorly, experiencing the strongest growth of all property types in the country, region and county, but the lowest in Nottingham.
After recording negative annual growth in March 2025, rental prices crept by 0.5% in the year to June 2025. This was one of the lowest increases among major UK cities, above only Bristol and Leeds, and significantly lower than the 3.4% growth recorded in the UK (excluding London).
The average property rental price in Nottingham was £955 in June. While this is £23 less than the previous quarter this appears to be due to an established seasonal fluctuation for the time of year. Read the full Zoopla Rental Market Report here
|
