Havering Council has launched a new Housing Allocations Scheme, coming into effect from Wednesday 24 September 2025.
This updated policy is designed to better provide social housing in a fair, efficient, and transparent way.
The new scheme introduces a points-based system that considers a wide range of factors including overcrowding, health needs, homelessness, and time spent on the register.
This ensures that those with the greatest need are prioritised, while also making the process clear and more consistent for all applicants.
Other benefits of the scheme include:
- Fairer Assessment: A new points-based system replaces the previous banding method, offering a more balanced and inclusive way to assess an applicant’s housing need.
- Maintains a Strong Local Connection: Applicants must live in the borough and have lived in Havering for four out of the last six years, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to supporting local residents.
- Widening Access to the Register: Enabling local residents in the private rented sector to apply for social housing.
- Increasing Options: Allowing more choice in the bidding process for available properties.
All current housing register applicants will need to reapply from 24 September 2025.
Those who reapply by 5 November 2025 and qualify will retain their original application date, ensuring continuity in their bid for social housing.
During the transition period, residents will still be able to bid for housing using their current banding while their new application is processed.
Councillor Natasha Summers, Cabinet Member for Housing Need and Climate Change, said:
“With the demand for social housing always outstripping what’s available, the new allocations scheme has been developed to better support the letting of Havering’s limited housing owned by the Council and housing associations.
“I am pleased that the new points based scheme will serve housing applicants in a fair and transparent way, while making a meaningful difference in how we support residents across the borough.
“I am confident it will ensure available homes go to those who need them most, with existing applicants on the register being protected.”
The Council is committed to supporting residents throughout this change, for more information, comprehensive guidance and support on how to reapply please go to our apply for housing page.