housing allocations scheme
Southwark Council has overhauled its housing allocations scheme, while Richmond Council is consulting on amendments to its own.
Southwark Council's Executive adopted an overhauled Housing Allocations Scheme in September 2026, aiming to simplify the process and ensure fairer distribution of social housing. This new scheme removes working in the borough as an automatic qualification criterion, focusing prioritisation solely on housing need for applicants.
Separately, Southwark Council's Cabinet approved changes in March 2026 to allow care leavers access to one-bed flats, bedsit, and studio properties. In Richmond upon Thames, the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee approved commencing a consultation in September 2026 on amendments to its Housing Allocations Scheme, following a January 2026 committee recommendation for priority for care-experienced young people.
A housing allocations scheme is the policy used by local authorities like Southwark and Richmond upon Thames to assign social housing to qualifying households. The current Southwark scheme, introduced in 2013, has seen several revisions, including those recently approved.
Key facts
- Southwark Council's Executive adopted an overhauled Housing Allocations Scheme in September 2026. Source
- The new Southwark scheme removes working in the borough as an automatic qualification criterion. Source
- Southwark Council's Cabinet approved changes in March 2026 for care leavers to access one-bed flats. Source
- Richmond's Education and Children's Services Committee recommended priority for care-experienced young people in January 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.