Allocating Social Housing (England)

Local authorities have always had a good deal of discretion in relation to their housing allocation policies; this discretion has been extended by measures included in the Localism Act 2011.  Following a consultation exercise, the Government issued new statutory guidance, Allocation of accommodation: Guidance for local housing authorities in England in June 2012. Authorities are obliged to have regard to this guidance when devising and implementing their schemes. The Government intends to consult on guidance that “will ensure councils require people to have lived in the area for at least 2 years” before being able to register on a housing waiting list.  In the meantime, the Government has issued a Standard Note setting out the legal framework within which local authorities allocate their housing stock. Download a copy of the Note from the Parliament website.