Most local councils – around 89% – have a local connection or residency test for social housing to determine who can qualify for social housing.
The government said the changes would mean that, where such requirements are in place, these groups will not be “unfairly penalised”.
The government said it was writing to local councils to “remind them they should prioritise veterans, care leavers and domestic abuse survivors for social housing”.
“Regulations will be brought forward in due course, with ministers hosting roundtables with the sector to explore the detail of these changes,” it said.
The government said it had given councils more flexibility to use their Right to Buy receipts to build and buy social homes and allocated a further £450m for councils to secure homes for families at risk of homelessness.
Five ways we’ve improved our Premier service
Sponsored by Halifax Intermediaries
It added that further plans would be set out at the Budget to “give councils and housing associations the rent stability they need to be able to borrow and invest in both new and existing homes”.
The announcement comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in his conference speech yesterday that the government would “house all veterans in housing need”, along with young care leavers and domestic abuse victims.
He continued: “We will repay those who served us and house all veterans in housing need. Homes will be there for heroes.”
