Housing associations and local authorities from across London have come together to look at how the social housing allocations system could work better for residents.
The session at Peabody’s offices last week, created space for organisations working at different points in the allocations process to talk openly about the challenges they face, understand each other’s perspectives and identify practical ways to improve how the system works.
There was a shared recognition that the current system does not always work as well as it could. Applicants can experience delays, be asked for the same information several times and receive different messages as they move between organisations.
These challenges sit within a much bigger issue. There are simply not enough social homes to meet the level of need across London. This means councils and housing associations regularly have to make difficult decisions about need, affordability, choice, risk and how best to use the homes that are available.
Finding practical ways to improve the system
The discussion focused on areas where organisations could work differently together, including clearer and more consistent communication with applicants, better information sharing and earlier conversations with people about their housing needs and the options realistically available to them.
Participants also discussed how differences between local authority and housing association policies can affect the process, from affordability assessments and nominations to refusals and emergency moves.
While organisations have different responsibilities and pressures, the roundtable highlighted the value of understanding those differences and working through them together.
There was also a strong focus on sharing existing good practice. Participants discussed approaches already being used by individual organisations and considered whether these could be adopted more widely across London.
Many of the ideas focused on changes that could be made within existing funding and legislation, as well as areas where stronger relationships and greater consistency between organisations could make a meaningful difference for applicants.
The discussion is part of a wider piece of work to identify practical recommendations for improving the allocations system across London. We’ll work with Altair and LHDG to look ay potential pilots that can be tested across the sector, with housing associations and local authorities continuing to work together to improve the experience for people who need a social home.
