Croydon Council has extended the residency requirement for social housing applicants from three to six years, following a public consultation. The decision, revealed at a meeting of the Scrutiny Homes Sub-Committee on Monday 29 September 2025, aims to prioritise those who have lived in the borough for a longer period.

The consultation, which sought feedback on proposed changes to the council's Housing Allocation Scheme, showed that 75% of respondents agreed with extending the residency criteria. The revised Housing Allocation Policy, incorporating this and other changes, was agreed and implemented at the end of April 2025. A 12-month review of the impact of the changes will be carried out in May 2026[1].

Other key changes to the Housing Allocation Scheme include offering Care Experienced Young Adults (CEYA) a higher priority for housing, from Band 3 (low priority) to a Band 2 (medium priority). If a CEYA is working or in training, they will be given a Band 1 priority. 67% of respondents agreed with this change.

The consultation covered several proposed changes, including:

  • Sheltered accommodation: Allocations for sheltered accommodation are made to residents who are at state pension age, without dependents and based on an assessment of the need for this type of housing.
  • Annual lettings plan: Implementing an annual housing lettings plan to help the Council better manage homes and meet the needs of the community.
  • Application assessment timescale: Changing the timescale to process applications to within the London average of 30 working days.
  • Re-instatement of the annual review of the housing register: Requiring applicants to confirm annually that they wish to remain on the register.
  • Choosing a property that is one bedroom less than the assessed need: Giving applicants the option to bid for or be offered properties one bedroom less than their assessed size.
  • One offer policy: Implementing a one offer policy for all applicants.

The Public reports pack 29th-Sep-2025 18.30 Scrutiny Homes Sub-Committee provides further details on the Housing Allocation Scheme consultation and other matters discussed at the meeting.

[1] The meeting information states: Based on the outcome of the consultation, the revised Housing Allocation Policy was agreed and implemented at the end of April 2025. A 12-month review of the impact of the changes will be carried out in May 2026.