Cllr Paul Turpin expressed his reaction after the passing of the council’s new housing allocations policy at the Housing Policy Committee on 29th January 2026.
“We opposed this policy because it is racist and discriminatory. While allowing people with no assessed need to get council homes, it blocks some of the most vulnerable people, not just in Sheffield but the world, from accessing council housing. It runs in direct conflict with Sheffield’s claim to be a City of Sanctuary.”
The policy was voted through by the Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors who form a majority on the Committee. Cllr Turpin and the chair, Cllr Douglas Johnson, voted against the changes.
Cllr Douglas Johnson said,
“Although I chair the committee, the Greens are in the minority when it comes to standing up for people who are the most excluded from being even more shut out.
“There are not enough homes for all the people in temporary accommodation and many other families who need housing, so we shouldn’t be reserving properties for people with no assessed housing need.”
Local connection
Former Green councillor, Dr Jillian Creasy, asked public questions at the meeting:
“The “local connection” requirement in the proposed allocations policy risks discriminating against refugees, the majority of whom are from ethnic minorities. What is the estimated size of this reduction? What percentage will be refugees?”
Although there are currently 1140 households on the register where the council does not consider them to have a “local connection,” officers had no answer to how many people would be affected by the new rule for a much longer, 3-year exclusion period or the likely percentage who would be refugees.
Jillian said,
“If you don’t have any idea how many people will be affected, I just can’t see how you can assess the equality impacts.”
“I also asked about the experiences of people I have worked with, when they are bidding for properties. Their chances of getting a new home are extremely slim. Could this be made clear to applicants when they register and place bids online? It is a question of honesty with people who simply don’t know how the system works.”
Concerns
The Committee chair, Cllr Douglas Johnson, concluded,
“I have real concerns this will leave more people homeless and sleeping rough. This policy change favours those who are very organised, have all their documents neatly filed, have internet access and skills, have always stayed in Sheffield and never worked away, those who are up to date on their rent and who don’t have a criminal record. I worry that the door to this policy will be closed to people just at the time when they are most likely to need housing.”
“Even if they get through all these hurdles, I am concerned at a new policy that will require children to share bedrooms until the age of 21 even in a long-term, permanent home. I don’t believe that living in council housing should disadvantage children’s start in life.”
