Social housing allocations guidance: our submission to MHCLG's call for evidence

The government committed in the National Plan to End Homelessness to review statutory guidance on social housing allocations in England to ensure it supports wider social housing and homelessness objectives. In August, MHCLG requested evidence to support this review, and we've made a submission on behalf of our members.

Our submission sets out evidence of the allocations system from our members, as well as our key recommendations for the government’s review of the guidance. Our recommendations are centred on supporting stronger partnership working between local authorities and housing associations. We believe this is essential to improving how homes are allocated, to reduce inconsistencies across the country and ensure that allocation policies can better reflect and respond to local housing need.

Feedback from our members has also highlighted that while there are sometimes issues in partnership working, this should not be seen as the sole source of challenge in the system. The updated guidance should therefore also consider how policies affect resident ability to access social housing and sustain tenancies, and how providers can make best use of scarce availability of homes.

Next steps

The NHF is part of the government’s Social Housing Allocations Guidance Review Steering Group which is taking this work forwards. We expect the government to consult on updated guidance in 2027.