Social housing is affordable accommodation provided by the Council and other Registered Providers. It is an option for residents to explore if they have a housing need. 

We know applying for social housing can be a challenging process and we want to make the process clear and supportive. 

We encourage everyone with a housing need to apply. However, it’s important to understand that demand is higher than supply and joining the register does not guarantee you will be offered a permanent property. 

The Council cannot provide a timeline as to when you will be able to be housed as this depends on a wide range of factors such as:

• the time you have lived in the borough
• number of beds needed
• any other factors that would give you a higher priority
• the properties you bid for through the choice based system
• the number of suitable properties the council and other social landlords have at their disposal
• the date when you applied or the date when significant changes were last made to your application

Therefore, we encourage you to consider the alternative options listed below. Please note there are separate eligibility criteria for each of these options:

• the EHO tool will ask a series of questions and then guide you through the different options that may be available to you to improve your current housing situation
• if you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with rent payments by claiming Universal Credit
• if you would like to check what you may be eligible for, you can use the following calculator to see what you can apply for: Benefits - B&D Money
• if you are open to living in a different part of London, The Mayor of London has produced a map showing average rents for all London postcodes, and you can check to see where you can afford to rent within your budget. You could also find out about renting privately
• if you are already on the council waiting list or if you are homeless, Homefinder UK can help you find permanent social housing
• if you have received an eviction notice or think you might become homeless soon, go to our homelessness prevention page

Further information can be found here in our Apply for Social Housing FAQs (DOCX, 75.9 KB)

If you would like to proceed with your application, press next to see if you are eligible.