Southwark Council has published a new Housing Allocations Scheme that would require same-sex siblings to share a bedroom until the age of 20, introduce a new lowest-priority housing band, and remove certain priority criteria, according to a report set to be considered by the council's executive on September 15.
The proposed scheme, which replaces the 2013 version, aims to "rebuild confidence" in how the council allocates its "scarce" social housing while meeting legal duties. The council reports more than 22,000 households on the Housing Register and 4,200 households in temporary accommodation. In the year ending March 31, 2026, only 6 per cent of those on the register were allocated a social rented home.
Key changes to bedroom sharing and priority bands
Currently, same-sex siblings are expected to share a bedroom up to age 15; those 16 and over are entitled to their own bedroom. The new scheme raises that age to 20, unless there is evidence on medical or welfare grounds for a separate bedroom. The council states this aligns with the bedroom standard and government guidance for local authorities in England.
The scheme also proposes a fifth band, Band E, which would be the lowest priority. Applicants in Band E could bid for properties through Choice Based Lettings, but the council says it is "unlikely" they would be rehoused because the band reflects low housing need. Band E would include secure tenants seeking a transfer who do not fit higher bands, and other eligible applicants. The current bands (1-4) would be renamed A-D, with A being the highest.
Changes to eligibility and priority criteria
The council intends to remove the requirement that applicants must work within Southwark to join the housing register. Those in private rented accommodation outside the borough under prevention or relief duties, or after accepting the main homelessness duty, can remain on the register. This supports homelessness prevention and move-on from temporary accommodation, according to the report.
Priority stars and the Good Tenant Award would be removed to make the system "as simple and transparent as possible" and based only on housing need. Currently, people can gain extra priority for working, volunteering, or being a "good tenant". Under the new plans, no additional priority will be given for employment, volunteering, or tenancy conduct.
Other proposed changes and consultation feedback
Other changes include placing homeless adults on the Housing First programme in Band A, allowing homeless applicants to retain priority if they take a private rented tenancy, limiting offers to two per applicant (including those in temporary accommodation), and introducing rolling annual reviews. The council will also use Local Lettings Plans and an Annual Lettings Plan alongside priority banding.
The consultation received 688 online responses, mostly from Southwark residents, and 482 email responses, many from Housing Action Southwark & Lambeth (HASL) and Southwark Law Centre. A majority supported removing the work-in-borough requirement, removing non-housing priority, and removing priority stars. Almost three quarters agreed with annual confirmation of housing circumstances, though some raised concerns about applicants needing support.
HASL disagreed with raising the sibling sharing age to 20 and raised wider concerns about overcrowding, bedroom sharing, Local Lettings Plans, Annual Lettings Plans, and priority for homeless households. The council's report says the scheme responds to a changed legal and regulatory environment, including the Regulator of Social Housing's November 2024 judgement, which condemned the council for "serious failings" and gave it a C3 consumer grading, the second worst rating.
If approved, the new scheme will take effect in 2026, with a review after 12 months.
