Time is running out to have your say on proposed major changes to Stevenage Borough Council's Housing Allocations Scheme.

The council says it believes its proposed changes to the scheme will "make the policy fairer and clearer for everyone", at a time when "the demand for affordable housing in Stevenage is currently at its highest and still on the rise".

Proposed changes to the scheme include only allowing people with a housing need to join the register, disqualifying people with sufficient savings or income, and removing applicants from the housing register if they haven't placed a bid in 12 months without good reason.

The council is also proposing to reduce the number of bands from six to either three or four, and to introduce a scheme for single people and couples without children to be given a one-bedroom or studio home through the allocation of a yearly quota.

A spokesperson for the council explained: “We propose to introduce a scheme so that single people and couples living with their parents in Stevenage would have access to a proportion of studio and one-bedroom homes which would be set aside especially for them each year.

“They would not need to have any other need, beyond being an adult, sharing with family.

“We recognise this group of people in Stevenage have limited choices for being able to live independently.”

The council is also proposing to change the policy to allow more household members to share bedrooms.

Under the current policy, one bedroom can be shared by any two children of the same sex aged under 16. The council is proposing one bedroom for any two additional people of the same sex.

For example, under the current policy two brothers aged 16 and 17 would need a bedroom each, but under the proposed changes they could share.

The council spokesperson said: “The demand for affordable housing in Stevenage is currently at its highest and still on the rise.

“The Housing Allocations Scheme ensures we are able to prioritise those people who urgently require our services, and this scheme manages the process of how homes are let to tenants through our housing register.

“We believe the proposed changes will make the policy fairer and clearer for everyone."

Visit stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/news/housing-allocations-scheme-review before December 16 to have your say.