 It’s Rural Housing Week – so what better time to delve into the important (and sometimes controversial) topic of affordable housing on Exmoor? Whether you’ve grown up here or recently moved to the area, chances are you’ve heard some of the common myths doing the rounds…particularly around who gets housed, how choice-based letting systems like Homefinder Somerset and Devon Home Choice work, and what ‘affordable housing’ really means. In places like Exmoor, word spreads fast, and the trouble is, it’s not always the right information. So, to help set the record straight, we spoke to our partners at Caractacus Housing and Falcon Rural Housing to clear up some of the most common misunderstandings. Here’s what you really need to know… Myth #1 - “All affordable housing on Exmoor goes to people from outside of the area with no local connection.” Let’s clear this up! Applicants can register with Homefinder Somerset, if they have a local connection to Somerset. According to their criteria, this means you need to meet at least one of the following:
If you meet one of these, you can register with Homefinder and apply for available homes. However, some properties on Exmoor come with additional rules. These may require a local connection to Exmoor National Park specifically. In these cases, priority is given to people who:
 So here are the key points:
What about Devon Home Choice? Devon Home Choice prioritises applicants with a local connection to Devon, so you must either have:
Applicants that do not have a local connection to Devon will likely be placed in either Band D or E. “People from outside the area are forced to take affordable houses on Exmoor and don’t even want to live here.” This is another common misconception that often comes from a lack of understanding about how emergency housing works. In a housing crisis, people who are homeless or in urgent need are expected to bid on homes in all areas of Somerset (whether that area is suitable for them or not.) If they don’t bid, the Council then bids on their behalf. But it’s important to understand: It’s extremely rare that emergency placements will occur in homes that are protected by a Section 106 agreement. And if that was to happen, the person in need of emergency placement would still need to satisfy the local connection requirement. Some housing association properties on Exmoor don’t have a specific S106, hence what might be deemed as ‘non-locals’ moving into Exmoor villages. However, if a property on Exmoor is reserved for local people with a S106, or is owned by Falcon Rural Housing or Caractacus (who have their own local lettings policies,) it will stay for local people. Myth #2 - “There's no point applying on Homefinder Somerset. You'll just get a bronze banding and never be housed." This one’s especially frustrating for local housing associations because it stops many eligible local people from even registering. They assume it’s not worth trying, when in reality, it often is. While Bronze Band (or the equivalent banding on Devon Home Choice) is the usual starting point, you can be placed in a higher band if you can show clear evidence of housing need. And remember, “housing need” doesn’t just mean homelessness. It can include:
And this is SUPER IMPORTANT: Most homes let by Falcon Rural Housing actually go to bronze band applicants. Why? Because local connection trumps banding. You might be ranked 50-something in the bidding list for a property in an Exmoor village like Porlock or Timberscombe, but if the people above you don’t have a strong local connection to the parish (or an adjoining one), you’ll be chosen because you do. It’s a similar story with Caractacus Housing, which operates outside the Homefinder system and has its own registration process. Caractacus will look for applicants who meet the ENP local connection criteria but do offer some flexibility, so can accept those with a 5 year connection. Likewise, Falcon Rural Housing can be flexible, particularly if there is not a S106 agreement in place. They can offer the flexibility of a 5 year local connection, or in some cases, 3 years if the fit is right. Myth #3 - “You have to be on a really low income to qualify for social housing.” This one might surprise you! You can earn a decent wage and still be eligible for affordable housing. In fact, the income thresholds are surprisingly high for Somerset Homefinder:
And while not quite as generous, the thresholds for Devon Home Choice are:
This means if your household income is under these limits and you meet the local connection for the choice based letting system in Somerset or Devon, you’re eligible to apply (and probably should!) So why aren't more people applying for affordable housing on Exmoor? That’s the question many local housing associations are asking - especially when they struggle to fill properties that require a local connection. We think a big part of the issue is the myths and misconceptions still floating around. But it’s also true that the choice-based letting systems’ application processes can feel confusing or overwhelming, especially when doing it for the first time. If you need help applying via Homefinder Somerset or Devon Home Choice, or you're unsure how to evidence your housing need, here are some trusted places to turn: Homefinder Somerset (West Somerset enquiries) 📧 [email protected] 📞 0300 123 2224 Devon Home Choice (North Devon) 📧 [email protected] 📞 01271 388870 Registering with Homefinder or Devon Home Choice isn’t just about getting a home right now. It also helps build a clearer picture of housing need in the local area. This information plays a vital role in planning future developments and can even support things like community-led or self-build housing projects.
Need more support with affordable housing on Exmoor? At Exmoor Young Voices, we’re always here to help point you in the right direction. Whether you’ve got a question about Exmoor housing, need support navigating the process, or want to share concerns you’ve heard in your local community, we’re here to listen and advocate on your behalf. Join us at our next meeting on 11th July! _ _ _ A huge thank you to Falcon Rural Housing and Caractacus Housing for supporting Exmoor Young Voices with this blog post. If you have any questions or queries, or would like a chat with either organisation, they are more than happy for you to get in touch. Falcon Rural Housing Email: [email protected] Phone: 01823 667343 Text / WhatsApp: 07581 551502 Caractacus Housing Email: [email protected] Phone: 07900 694525
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