Social Housing

Affordable housing is available across the UK. The government, using local councils or housing authorities, provide Social Housing to the low income, vulnerable, immigrants, and poor. The homes and flats that are part of this government scheme will have a lower monthly rent than renting privately.

Social Housing is run by either a (1) council or (2) housing authority. Both of these organisations will accept applications for a low cost home or flat. Find more information below. There are generally waiting lists in place though as the number of flats and/or homes is limited. There is a housing crisis in the UK, with a lack of social as well as other housing units available.

Finding Social Housing for families on a low income or benefits

As noted, there is a housing shortage in the UK. This, as well as other factors including foreign money as well as low interest rates, is driving up the cost of monthly rent. This shortage of Social Housing homes makes it difficult for anyone who is applying as there is often a waiting list in place.

Each and every city, village, borough, district, and council area in the UK has its own application process as well as criteria in order to get social housing. In general, there are two different schemes in place as listed below.

Council

The first is that the council will run the social housing scheme near you and accept applications. They will have a housing allocation policy. This will determine who gets assistance and who is eligible. There may be criteria around income, whether someone is on welfare benefits or not, the disabled, pensioners, single mums, refugees, and many other criteria. Local Housing Allowance as well as Universal Credit often come into play as well. The housing allocation policy will spell this out.

In addition, many councils have priority lists for social housing. This too will be in the housing allocation policy. But in general, the priorities are as follows.

• The ill or disabled (physical or mental) may get priority.
• There are often both short term hostels giving to women fleeing domestic violence, but once they are safe and stable, priority will often be given to them.
• Anyone in an unsafe private rented property, including disrepair, is also provided a home.
• UK residents, and their families, who are leaving the armed forces will also be given priority to social housing, and the government sets that criteria.
• Each council may give social housing priority to others as well.

There are instances in which a tenant on a low income may need rent help. In these cases, the council will also try to assist there in order to prevent homelessness. The council, partnering with charities or a credit union, will help the tenant apply for help. Learn more on the social housing rent assistance schemes.

There is a list of council welfare schemes to apply at for social housing too. They will often be the place to contact or to get linked to the proper government authorities. Staff can assist with the application process. Find more details on welfare Social Housing schemes.

Housing Authorities

Councils have very limited resources. Many of them have had their funding cut back from the central government. Therefore a council may partner with an not-for-profit housing association near you for accepting applications.

A Housing Association will run the Social Housing schemes for the government. They will accept the monthly rent, process applications, ensure the home/flat is safe and repaired, manage the unit, and take other steps. All aspects of keeping the homes/flats up and running as well as “liveable” are done by the association. In addition to managing the properties, housing Associations will also offer various terms of tenancy agreements, including starter tenancys as well as agreements for up to two years, which are assured tenancy agreements.

As far as applying at a Housing Authority, they follow the same wait and priority lists as the council; the process is not any easier or faster. To learn more, or to get help applying, call the Helpline at 0808 800 4444.