London authority intends to remove approximately 20,000 households from the social housing waiting list

In the heart of London, the Greenwich Council has launched a consultation on proposals to manage the high demand for subsidized housing in the borough. The consultation aims to gather feedback on what could be done differently in its housing policies.

Currently, approximately 27,000 households are on the housing register, waiting for a council home. Only about 1,000 homes become available for rent each year, and around just ten homes a year are offered to households in band C of the waiting list.

The council's commitment to ensuring that its homes go to the people who need them the most is evident in its proposals. The council is proposing limited measures that would expand eligibility for the waiting list in particular circumstances. However, the council also plans to introduce financial criteria to exclude people with higher incomes or savings from the social housing waiting list.

Households in band A are given the highest priority for social housing, followed by bands B and C. Band A includes people living in unsatisfactory housing that is to be demolished or refurbished, tenants who are under-occupying family homes or living in properties with adaptations they do not need, and tenants in hospital who cannot return home because it is no longer suitable for their needs.

The council's cabinet member for housing, Pat Slattery, stated that the council is committed to making sure that its homes go to the people who need them the most. The council is also planning to provide advice and information about other housing options such as low-cost renting and subsidized home ownership to current band C households.

However, the council's consultation does not specify any new criteria for households at risk of domestic violence, hate crime, or other abuse. Neither does it mention any new criteria for households in 'priority need' or those living in severely overcrowded or insanitary homes.

The Greenwich Council in London is planning to close the third priority band (Band C) of its social housing waiting list. Current band C households would be removed from the social housing waiting list. The public consultation runs until 13th October, and the council encourages all interested parties to participate.