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Southwark Proposes New Housing Rules Amid Pressure on Social Housing

Thursday, 10 September 2026 08:51

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Southwark Council is proposing major changes to its housing allocation rules, including requiring same-sex siblings to share a bedroom until the age of 20 in some cases.

Southwark Council is proposing major changes to the way it allocates social housing as it deals with increasing pressure on the borough’s housing supply.

Under the proposed Housing Allocations Scheme 2026, same-sex siblings could be expected to share a bedroom until the age of 20.

The council says the changes are needed to help rebuild confidence in how scarce social housing is allocated and to make sure it continues meeting its legal duties.

The proposed scheme would replace the current system introduced in 2013 and is due to be considered by the council’s executive next week.

If approved, the new rules would be reviewed after 12 months.

More than 22,000 households currently have applications on the Southwark Housing Register, while around 4,200 households are living in temporary accommodation.

The proposals would also introduce a new housing priority band which, according to the plans, would be unlikely to result in applicants receiving an offer of social housing.

Southwark’s Housing Allocations Scheme determines who can join the housing register, how applicants are prioritised and how available council homes are allocated.

The proposals are due to go before the council’s executive on 15 September.

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