In Southwark as across London there is huge demand for council homes, with more than 18,000 people on the housing waiting list, including more than 4,000 households in temporary accommodation.
The average waiting time for a three-bedroom council home in Southwark is over five years and each year less than 10% of applicants will be offered social housing.
Southwark Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme sets out how the council allocates its council homes. Its current scheme was introduced in 2014 and needs updating in line with national regulations and guidance.
Since the current scheme was introduced, demand for council homes has increased and there are now many more Southwark residents struggling to find a suitable home that they can afford.
Proposed changes to the scheme include giving additional preference for council homes to young adults leaving the care of Southwark Council, and for applicants escaping domestic abuse.
The proposals would also change the current Bands 1-4 to Bands A-E. The new scheme would keep local lettings policies, with some proposed changes.
For full details of the proposed changes please see the Southwark Council website. The plans are open for consultation, and you can have your say until consultation ends on 1 June.
The council will contact everyone on its housing register of people who have applied for council housing and its tenants to ask for their views.
Like all councils, Southwark must allocate council homes in line with national regulations and Government statutory guidance.
Cllr Sarah King, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for Council Homes, said: “Council homes change lives. In Southwark, the demand for council homes is huge, as it is across London. That’s why it’s so important they go to the people in the very greatest need.
“We’ve updated our proposed allocations scheme to give priority to those most in need including for example young adults leaving the care of Southwark Council, and for people who are escaping domestic violence.
"Our proposed scheme is now open for consultation and we welcome your views. All feedback will be carefully considered.”
After consultation ends, the council will carefully consider all responses and amend the proposed scheme as appropriate. A final recommended draft scheme will then go to the council’s Cabinet for approval.