New Housing Allocations Policy is “Rearranging Deckchairs on the Titanic”
Southwark Liberal Democrats have responded to the new allocations scheme for social housing, bringing constructive proposals to ensure that the process is fairer and more transparent, but branded the exercise as “rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic” whilst 18,000 households languish on the waiting list.
The new scheme, which is now out for consultation, would replace the current banding system with bands A to E, remove the longstanding “priority star” system, and make changes to who qualifies for council housing - including removing the local connection requirement for people who work but don’t live in the borough.
The Regulator of Social Housing, in its report identifying a series of “serious failings” in Southwark Council, and awarding it the second lowest grade available, said the council was "failing to allocate its homes in a fair and transparent way”.
While the Liberal Democrats recognise the need for greater transparency and fairness in the way council homes are allocated, they say the new plan does nothing to address the core issue: that there simply aren’t enough affordable homes being built.
Under the new policy, over 18,000 households will still be left competing for a tiny number of available homes, with fewer than 10% of applicants currently receiving offers each year.
Those who will be in Band E – who have been assessed as having lower housing need - would remain on the register but not be able to bid at all.
As the consultation progresses, the Liberal Democrats are urging the council to ensure the new policy actively supports those who make vital contributions to the borough - including blue light workers and unpaid carers - and to recognise the importance of keeping young people rooted in the communities they grew up in.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader Cllr Rachel Bentley said:
“It's right that following challenges from residents and the regulator, the council is finally updating its allocations policy after 13 years. The current system is ineffective, degrading, and for many households, futile.
Like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic however, this will do nothing to address the crisis underlying the problem that there are not enough homes for the 18,000 households on Southwark's waiting list. Even in this proposed new scheme, at least 1 in 5 on the register will never get social housing, and the majority will still be waiting years.
We'll be pushing the council to ensure that blue light workers, carers, and those growing up in the borough getting priced out get the priority they deserve, and continue holding this Labour council to account for its failure to deliver enough of its own council homes, or social housing through schemes such as Borough Triangle and Canada Water"
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