Applying for accessible council and housing association homes

Each local council has its own rules, set out in a housing allocations policy. It is a good idea to read this before you apply to check that you meet the criteria. You can ask to see a copy or summary.

Getting support to apply

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

To be eligible for social housing, you need to:

• show you have a ‘right to reside’ for housing 
• be on a low income and not have a large amount of savings 
• have a local connection to the area

Council housing: immigration and habitual residence conditions (Shelter)

Because there is a shortage of social housing, councils give priority to people who are most in need. This includes if you need to move because of disability or a health condition.

Who gets priority for council housing (Shelter) 

Social housing is managed by:

• local councils
• housing associations
• or a mix of both

It depends on your area. To apply for social housing, you always start with your local council. That is even if a housing association manages social housing where you live.

You can search on your local council’s website for ‘housing.’ This will show you who to contact and how to apply.

Or you can call your local council and ask to speak to someone in the housing office. They might also be called the housing options team.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Shelter has a postcode search tool with information for your area including:

• the phone number and email address for your council housing office
• the website to apply for social housing
• information on housing services
• how to ask your council for help if you are homeless

To access the postcode search tool, go to how to apply for council housing (Shelter). 

Applying for social housing varies depending on your area.

Apply for council housing (GOV.UK) 

You might speak to someone at your local council who says that everyone must apply on their website.  

Most people do apply online, but you can ask for another way that meets your needs. For example, ask the council:

• to send you a paper form through the post
• to email you a form on a Word document or Easy Read to print out
• if you can apply over the phone

There are sometimes:

• people working at local council housing offices who can support you to apply
• ‘drop-in’ sessions with housing officers

It depends on your local area.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

By law, councils and housing associations must make the application process accessible to you. The Equality Act 2010 should protect people from discrimination based on their protected characteristics, such as disability.

Asking for reasonable adjustments

How the law protects you

It may be a good idea to fill in the form with someone who knows your needs, for example, a:

• family member
• friend
• occupational therapist (OT)
• social care worker

Charities may be able to give you housing advice or refer you to a housing adviser.

Shelter housing advisers

Get housing advice and support

The application form usually asks:

• who lives with you
• how many rooms you need
• any adaptations you need
• your income, including benefits
• your savings and any assets

When you apply for social housing, tell your council about your needs.

You can do this:

• by answering questions on the main application form or
• asking for a separate form to fill in 

Contact your council to find out how to give them this information.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Showing how your home does not meet your needs

The council wants to find out:

• how your current housing affects your condition and
• whether it would improve if you lived somewhere more accessible

They will ask you to send evidence of how your current home does not meet your needs. They might also call this supporting documents.

Ask for a letter or report from professionals who know you. 

Evidence to provide

When you have applied for accessible housing, the council might offer you adaptations to your home. This is instead of putting you on the waiting list or housing register for a different home.

You can also ask the council to assess you for home adaptations. This can be if you:

• are a tenant or
• own your own home

Getting home adaptations 

They might ask an OT to come to your home to assess you, then write a report.

Home adaptations and occupational therapist assessments

Many councils and housing associations use bands to decide who has the greatest need for a property. There might be a different system in your area, for example a points system.

The council puts you in a housing band when:

• you have applied for social housing and
• the council says you are eligible to go on the housing register

Council house banding and bidding for homes

If you think you are in the wrong band, there are things you can do. 

If you think you are in the wrong housing band

Your local council or housing association might allocate properties. It depends on your area.

Some local housing associations will let you apply directly to their lists. Speak to your local council to find out how it works where you live.

Housing association homes (GOV.UK)

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Your priority on the waiting list is based on your needs. It is not based on how long you have been waiting. 

How long you will have to wait

You can ask your council or housing association how long they think you will have to wait. They may not be able to give you an exact time.

How long it takes to get a council home (Shelter)

How you find a property when you are on the housing register depends on your area.

Usually you place a ‘bid’ for a property you are interested in. This is also called choice-based lettings.

You normally place bids online, by phone or by text. If you cannot do this, the council must give you another way to bid. For example, a proxy bid system where they bid for you.

You may not need to bid

Depending on your needs, the council may offer you a suitable home when it becomes available. This is called a direct offers system. Ask your council or housing association for more information.

Your council may only make you one offer of a property.

If you do get an offer, it is good to visit before you decide if you want it. You may not have long to decide.

There are things you can do if you do not think a property meets your needs.

Even if you do not think it meets your needs, it may be worth accepting the offer. You can ask for:

• adaptations
• a suitability review

Your rights if social housing does not meet your needs

Housing suitability reviews (Shelter)

You can get advice to help you decide what to do.

You can also complain to your council or housing association if you think they are:

• not meeting your needs
• treating you unfairly
• ignoring you
• discriminating against you

Complain to your council or housing association

There are organisations that can tell you about how housing works in your area. You can contact your local:

• Shelter office
• Citizens Advice