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Housing policy and strategy

Read about our housing strategy, tenancy strategy and homelessness strategy.

Allocations scheme review

Every local authority has a statutory duty to publish an Allocations Scheme which sets out how Westminster City Council allocate social housing. It tells you:

  1. Who can apply to go on the Housing Register.
  2. Who gets priority for housing.
  3. The type and size of property you are eligible to apply for.
  4. How Westminster City Council may resolve its housing duties towards you.

You can review the current Housing Allocations Scheme.

The Social Housing Supply and Allocations Report reviews the supply and demand for social rented housing and low-cost home ownership for the last financial year and forthcoming financial year.

Review the 2023/24 Social Housing Supply and Allocations Report.

Why are we reviewing the Housing Allocations Scheme?

We want to ensure the allocation of social housing is as fair as possible and makes the best use of our stock.

Our aims include to:

  1. Be more transparent about how we allocate social housing.
  2. Have a simpler scheme that is easier to understand.
  3. Consider how we can recognise those with multiple needs.
  4. Improve the way we communicate changes and supply of stock in Westminster to those registered.

How can you get involved?

Over the past year we have been engaging with as many people as possible understand your experience and challenges of housing in Westminster and help shape changes to the allocations scheme. This included:

  • Engaging with those with lived experience from a range of backgrounds to understand their experiences of social housing.
  • Getting input from service providers and front-line staff who have supported residents with social housing.
  • Liaising with wider stakeholders to provide a holistic understanding of the Allocations Scheme. 

We then held a formal consultation on our proposed changes between January and February 2024.

Next steps

Thanks to all those who took part in our consultation. We are now working through your feedback and suggestions to make sure these are included in our new scheme. We aim to publish the new allocations scheme this winter.  

Please email [email protected] if you have any queries.

Published: 8 November 2023

Last updated: 9 October 2024