London’s social housing system “opaque, confusing and unfair”

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, Zoë Garbett 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.”