The government has announced plans to review statutory guidance on social housing allocations in England – and is actively seeking evidence from stakeholders.

According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, the review will focus on four priorities: improving access for vulnerable and homeless households; making the best use of available homes; strengthening cooperation between local authorities and registered providers and; consolidating the guidance into a clearer, more usable document.

The MHCLG says that demand for social housing continues to exceed supply in many areas, so allocation schemes play an important role in supporting households facing acute housing pressures, including those experiencing homelessness, living in temporary accommodation, fleeing domestic abuse, leaving care or living in overcrowded conditions.

According to the ministry, the most effective way to meet demand is to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes, which it says the government is tackling in the form of a 10-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme backed by £39 billion. For homes funded through the programme, the government expects providers to have nomination agreements (or their equivalent) in place with councils and for these to include 100% of first lets to go to the local council for nomination, unless otherwise agreed with the council.

The current statutory guidance on social housing allocations for local housing authorities in England was first published in 2012 and has since been updated in targeted ways. The MHCLG says the review will update and consolidate the guidance so it is clearer, more current and more useful for local authorities, registered providers and applicants.

As part of the review, the MHCLG is inviting views, evidence and examples from local authorities, registered providers of social housing, representative bodies, charities, academics, tenant and resident groups, and others with experience of the allocations system.

The review aims to:

• Support fair, transparent schemes that reflect local circumstances
• Improve access for vulnerable households and those experiencing or at risk of home-lessness
• Clarify expectations on qualification criteria, including local connection, affordability, debt and anti-social behaviour considerations
• Support effective cooperation and nomination arrangements between local authorities and registered providers
• Improve use of data, transparency for applicants, and the clarity of the guidance.

The government says it is seeking practical evidence, data, research, case studies and examples of current practice, including on:

• Allocation policies or practices that are working well
• Barriers that prevent households in need from accessing social housing
• The impact of qualification criteria, including local connection, affordability, debt and anti-social behaviour criteria
• How allocation schemes affect households experiencing homelessness, living in temporary accommodation or facing other acute housing pressures
• The experiences of the armed forces community
• The experiences of victims of domestic abuse, care leavers and other vulnerable groups
• Nomination agreements and joint working between local authorities and registered providers
• Housing registers, allocations models and how accessibility needs are considered
• Data use and transparency
• How the guidance could be made clearer (including consolidating guidance), areas that are not covered, areas that could be expanded or areas that are unclear or outdated.

The MHCLG is encouraging stakeholders to submit evidence to [email protected] by 2 October 2026.

The ministry says it will review submissions alongside existing data, research and stakeholder engagement, and will continue engaging stakeholders as proposals are developed. It aims to consult on updated guidance in early 2027.