A new report from the
London Assembly Housing Committee –
Barriers at every turn:
Social housing allocation in London' – warns that
London's social housing system is too complex and inconsistent,
preventing many people from accessing it.
With more than 341,000 households on waiting
lists and only a small proportion housed each year, the
Committee found that while the shortage of homes
is the core issue, failures in the allocation system are
making access harder and less fair. In some boroughs,
waiting times for larger homes can reach up to 33
years, leaving families stuck in unsuitable or
overcrowded conditions for decades.
Applicants described the process as confusing and distressing,
with some groups, including Disabled Londoners and survivors of
domestic abuse, facing significant barriers. The report also
highlights how policies such as debt-related disqualifications
can exclude those most in need, while poor coordination between
councils and housing associations leaves some applicants promised
homes that never materialise.
Chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, AM, said:
“Too many Londoners are trapped in a system that is
confusing, inconsistent, and at times deeply unfair. While the
shortage of social housing is the biggest challenge, the system
itself often makes Londoners' experience of the housing crisis
even worse and homelessness even harder to solve.
“We heard from Londoners facing years of uncertainty, poor
communication, and decisions that simply don't make sense. When
people cannot access housing because the process is too complex
or the rules are too harsh, the system is not working as it
should and fails those who need it most. While we urgently
need more social housing, there is also clear scope to make the
system we have more transparent, consistent, and humane.”
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