Housing Allocation Scheme

The Housing Allocation Scheme is the council’s method for deciding who gets prioritised for social housing. Having this scheme in place ensures that the council gives social housing to the people who need it the most.

How a Housing Allocation Scheme works

The Housing Allocation Scheme decides who is eligible for social housing. It sets the conditions that applicants need to meet. If you qualify for social housing, you will join the council’s housing register.

Birmingham operates a choice based letting scheme. If you are accepted onto the housing register, you will be able to express an interest in (bid for) a home when a suitable one becomes available.

Those who do not qualify will be offered advice on alternative housing options, such as private renting.

How to apply for social housing

If you would like to apply for social housing, you can do so on the Birmingham Choice website.

Find out more

Birmingham’s current Housing Allocation Scheme was introduced in January 2023. To find out more about this scheme, you can read the summary document or the full policy document. 

You can also read about the new Local Letting requirements and guidance for 2018 and the Local Letting Plan template.

Page last updated: 29 July 2024