Social Housing Allocations

• Visible process: All available properties are advertised on a publicly accessible platform, showing what is available and the eligibility criteria.
• Clarity on demand: Helps manage expectations about competitive, high-demand areas and shows why certain properties are difficult to secure.
• Objective allocation: While applicants choose the properties, the system awards the tenancy to the bidder with the highest priority, based on a clear, set of criteria and prioritising those with the greatest need.
• Transparency: The outcome of the process is published to show the level of demand for the property and the priority of the successful applicant.

Current applications will be reassessed in line with the new policy, and those applicants who may be affected will be contacted by the Waiting List Team. We therefore want to hear your views on the proposed changes.

A draft copy of the proposed policy can be found here, the existing policy can also be found here.

We have made printed copies of the draft policy available at the Town Hall if required.
 

Following this consultation, we will consider the responses received and  take them into account to make changes to the draft version of the Housing Allocations Policy. This will then be considered by the Cabinet in Spring 2026, before seeking Council approval to adopt this as our new policy.

The new policy will be implemented later in the year alongside a new choice-based lettings system. As part of this, any existing members of the Housing Register will be asked to reapply – we will write to anyone affected in advance to outline when these changes will happen and to provide more details around the process and timelines. We will publish the results of this consultation as part of the Cabinet report in early 2026.

Please note we will be unable to provide individual responses to any consultation feedback. You can check back on this site for further updates including the outcome of the consultation and the final policy.
 

Q) What is a housing allocation policy?

A) The housing allocation policy sets out who is eligible for affordable housing, how their housing needs will be assessed, and what relative priority their application will be given. It also determines how the housing register will operate and how social housing owned and managed by partner housing associations and the council will be allocated.
 

Q) Why is the Council consulting on changes to the Allocations Policy?

A) The Council is required to review its Housing Allocations Policy regularly to ensure it meets legal requirements, reflects local housing need and operates fairly and transparently. The consultation provides residents and applicants with an opportunity to comment on proposed changes before the policy is finalised.
 

Q) Will my banding change under the new policy?

A) It is possible. When the new policy goes live, all applicants will be asked to reapply. Your circumstances will be reassessed in line with the new criteria, which may result in a higher, lower or unchanged banding.

Because the proposed changes could affect your priority, we strongly encourage you to read the consultation documents and give your feedback.

Under the proposed policy, some people who are currently eligible may not be able to join the register in future, depending on the new criteria. This is why it is important to take part in the consultation and tell us how the changes may affect you.
 

Q) I don't like the proposed changes - can I submit a complaint?

A) No. There is no right of complaint about proposals that are still being consulted on. However, you can and should tell us what you do not like and why through the consultation survey. Your feedback will help inform the final version of the policy.
 

Q) I am a current applicant on the register - what do I need to do?

A) Your current application remains live, when the new policy has been approved, if you haven't been rehoused and are still on the register, we will write to you to let you know when the new policy will take effect from. This is likely to be in Autumn 2026, but we will give you advance notice.
 

Q) I have already been on the register for some time without getting rehoused - is this right?

A) There are more people on the housing register than there are homes available. This means that depending on your banding, the type and location of properties you are bidding on and the type and size of your household, it is possible you could face waiting for a considerable time before an allocation takes place. Due to demand outstripping supply, some applicants may never be made an offer of social housing.
 

Q) I am homeless or threatened with homelessness - will these changes affect me?

A) The homelessness legislation remains unchanged. If you are owed a statutory homelessness duty, we will continue to support you in line with legal requirements. However, your housing register application will still need to be reassessed under the new allocations policy when it goes live, so please take part in the consultation as the changes may affect your banding.
 

Q) How will I be notified about the new policy?

A) All current applicants will be written to before the new policy goes live. The communication will explain the policy changes, the date the new system will start, and how to reapply.
 

Q) When will the new policy take effect?

A) The new policy is expected to be approved in Summer 2026 and implemented in Autumn 2026. Applicants will receive advance notice of the exact date.
 

Q) What happens if my circumstances change before the new policy begins?

A) You must continue to report changes in circumstances as usual. We will reassess your application under the current policy until the new policy is implemented.