CHanges are being made to the way council and housing association homes are allocated in Cornwall. There are 29,095 applicants on the council's housing list, 9,501 of whom are from the Caradon and North Cornwall area, and the changes are aimed at tightening up the way in which homes are allocated through the Cornwall Council's Homechoice scheme to ensure it is fairer and that they go to those with the greatest need. Changes include: applicants will now have to shown they have had a local connection for three years. People with an income of £30,000 or less are more likely to be allocated a house than those who earn more, and those who have assets of more than £50,000 or who have an income of £60,000 or more will not qualify to join Homechoice. Other than in exceptional circumstances, a household where anyone has demonstrated anti-social behaviour within the last two years will not be able to join the register. Applicants who have not bid on any property for 12 months will be removed from the housing register unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances. Applicants will only be able to bid for one property per advertising cycle (previously three) and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, applicants who turn down two properties they are offered will be removed from the housing register. Geoff Brown, cabinet member for homes and communities, said: 'Delivering homes to meet the needs of local people is a key priority. I am particularly keen to see the local connection criteria extended to at least five years.'