Reform UK has announced plans to prioritise British-born workers under 35 when allocating social housing if the party enters government, alongside former military personnel and married couples with children. Deputy leader Richard Tice will formally present the party's housing strategy on Monday, 25 August 2026, including a commitment to construct 50,000 affordable social homes annually—a target significantly higher than the government's current promise of 18,000 on average each year for a decade, according to reporting on the policy. The party claims the scheme requires no new taxes or borrowing.
Reform has been developing its housing-and-migration approach for several months. In June 2026, party leader Nigel Farage outlined an earlier proposal to ban foreign nationals from social housing entirely, which would have required relocation within three months or faced deportation. That earlier announcement sparked criticism from housing charities, the health sector and opposition parties. The current policy represents a refinement of that position, focusing on prioritisation rather than outright removal.
Tice, whose background spans property development and leading companies that delivered thousands of new homes, framed the initiative as generational support.
"It is time for us to prioritise young British workers, and that is what our policy is about,"he said on Sunday.
"In government I will break down the barriers to getting generation rent onto the housing ladder."He added it is
"time to get Britain building"and to give
"our young people the homes they deserve."
The party estimates that 540,000 social homes are currently occupied by foreign nationals. However, official data presents a different picture. According to the English Housing Survey for 2024/25, UK or Irish nationals made up 88.5% of main social home householders, meaning approximately 11.5% of main householders—the person in whose name the social home is rented—were non-UK or Irish nationals.
What does Labour say about the proposal?
Labour has rejected Reform's plans as
"unserious and unworkable,"accusing the party of promoting
"gimmicks and division"with policies that
"go after long-term UK residents that have contributed to our country."A Labour spokesperson emphasised that social housing is already tightly controlled, noting that illegal migrants, asylum seekers, and migrants on student or work visas are ineligible for such accommodation.
Labour warned that Reform's approach would disproportionately affect long-term UK residents who are not British citizens, including NHS staff. The party argued the policy would leave more families at risk of homelessness, increase reliance on temporary accommodation at taxpayer expense, and require renegotiations with the EU—potentially resulting in years of diplomatic wrangling.
How do the Conservatives respond?
The Conservative Party, which has also pledged to restrict foreign nationals' access to social housing, accused Reform of
"trying to catch up"with its own policies. Sir James Cleverly, shadow housing secretary, stated:
"The Conservatives have already set out comprehensive plans to ensure British nationals are at the front of the queue for social housing. Now Reform are trying to catch up."
The Conservative proposal differs in scope. On 6 August 2026, the Conservatives pledged to ban foreign nationals from social housing in England if they win power, a move condemned by Labour, Shelter and the Royal College of Nursing. The Conservative plan would allow Irish citizens and some EU nationals to remain in social housing and estimates it would free up around 230,000 homes. Cleverly added that the Conservatives also believe in a home-owning society where those who work hard can purchase their own home
"without unnecessary barriers standing in their way."
Reform's broader welfare agenda extends beyond housing. In August 2026, the party proposed that foreign nationals, including EU citizens with settled status, would lose access to most benefits under its welfare overhaul—a move that could require renegotiating the UK's post-Brexit arrangements with the EU.
What criticism has the policy faced?
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Gideon Amos described Reform's plan as a
"cruel gimmick."Housing charity Shelter has previously criticised similar proposals, arguing that building more homes is the solution rather than
"changing the order of the queue"and
"stoking division."
The policy sits within a wider Reform agenda on employment and migration. In June 2026, the party proposed a tax on companies hiring foreign workers to reduce employer National Insurance contributions on British staff, aiming to prioritise British employment across sectors including retail and care.
What happens next?
Tice will set out how Reform intends to finance the 50,000 affordable homes during Monday's formal announcement. According to the party's announcement schedule, the news conference will provide full details of the funding mechanism. The party's earlier commitment was to change social housing allocation laws within 100 days of being elected, which would represent the next policy implementation milestone if Reform gains power.
The government, meanwhile, has pursued its own housing reforms. On 28 April 2026, it announced a Right to Buy overhaul including a longer qualifying period, lower discounts, and a 35-year exemption for newly built social homes. In August 2026, the National Housing Federation noted that recent planning reforms would help streamline delivery of new social homes and improve the planning system for affordable housing.
Key Facts
- Reform UK plans to build 50,000 affordable social homes annually, compared with the government's target of 18,000 per year on average
- The party would prioritise British-born workers under 35, former military personnel, and married couples with children for social housing allocation
- According to the English Housing Survey 2024/25, approximately 11.5% of main social householders are non-UK or Irish nationals, though Reform estimates 540,000 social homes are occupied by foreign nationals
- The Conservative Party has also pledged restrictions on foreign nationals' social housing access but would allow Irish citizens and some EU nationals to remain
- Tice will reveal the funding mechanism for the 50,000-home target at Monday's formal policy announcement on 25 August 2026
