NEW Forest District Council has devised a new way to meet demand for affordable housing in the district.

A new tenancy strategy will offer new residents a fixed term agreement ensuring the council can make the best use of affordable housing stock by tackling under-occupation.

Policies will continue to provide stability for elderly and vulnerable people and existing tenants will retain their current lifetime security of tenure.

Portfolio holder for housing Cllr Jill Cleary said: “I am pleased that we are able to introduce two positive solutions to the demand for social housing in our area.

“By offering fixed-term tenancies we will be able to review whether tenancies are still needed by the occupant and increase the turnover of affordable housing to ensure we make the best use of limited housing stock for those that most need it.

“The new allocations scheme will also reduce the number of people on the waiting list who have no prospect of being re-housed, put greater focus on housing local people and help to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce welfare dependency.”