FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)- Allocations Policy review editon
- Who will qualify to join our Housing Register including the minimum age to join
- How we prioritise housing applications
- How we support priority applicants when bidding
- Who gets offered a home
- What happens when an offer is refused
- How we allocate highly adapted properties
- Who can be offered a property on our Older Person Independent living schemes (OPIL)
- How we determine the number of bedrooms a household is eligible for
- Some applicants who currently qualify to join our Housing Register may no longer do so.
- Some applicants will only be eligible to bid for smaller properties than they could previously.
- We can better prioritise those with the most urgent housing need and those that fall under the reasonable preference categories set by Government.
- Better support will be in place for those with a priority to be rehoused to help them find a home suitable for their needs.
- More efficient allocation of social housing stock including adapted properties and specialist housing to those who need it the most.
- Everyone will receive 2 offers of accommodation across all bands except for applicants who have been awarded a priority due to a homelessness duty being owed to them by the Council, who will receive one suitable offer, which could include an offer in the private rented sector.
- Everyone on our Housing Register will need to place bids on properties that are advertised for which they are eligible.
- Our Housing Allocations Policy continues to meet its aims and objectives.
- If you are in our priority in bands A-C and have an assessed housing need your priority officer will continue to support you and provide advice and assistance on how to resolve your rehousing as soon as possible.
- If you meet our eligibility and current qualification criteria you can continue to join our Housing Register and bid for properties advertised to your band.
- If you are in our General needs band you can continue to bid as normal.
- Who can join our Housing Register.
- Where someone will be placed on our Housing Register - currently we use a banding system to help us decide between people’s housing needs.
- How those with an urgent need to move will be assessed - we call this priority rehousing.
- Which households are given ‘Reasonable Preference’; by law the Council is required to prioritise certain groups for social housing.
- Who will be offered the properties that are advertised.
- Phase one of consultation – Undertaken from 14th March 2025 to 13th April 2025: This phase sought views on changes we could make to our current Allocations Policy to help address some of the current challenges we are facing around social housing in Sheffield.
- Second phase of consultation – Undertaken 26th August 2025 to 17th November 2025: A draft policy was prepared based on feedback from the first phase. The second phase comprised of a 12-week consultation which sought views on the draft Housing Allocations Policy, approved by the Housing Policy Committee in July 2025.
- In person at Howden House and local Area Housing Offices
- Telephone: 0114 2930000
- AllocationsPolicy@Sheffield.gov.uk or the propertyshop@sheffield.gov.uk
- Private Rented accommodation. For more information contact privaterentedsolutions@sheffield.gov.uk , or by phone on 0114 2734567 or to find out more information look at Private Rented Solutions | Sheffield City Council
- Shared Ownership. Private Registered Providers of social housing also run Shared Ownership and other low-cost housing schemes within the city. Please visit the following link: shared ownership and/or rent to buy homes in Sheffield on the Government’s Shared Ownership webpage to view all the current Shared Ownership Schemes currently in operation within Sheffield.
- You may also wish to apply directly to some Housing Associations. While we work alongside many of these housing providers and advertise some of their properties, a few of them also advertise a proportion of their own stock directly.
- If you are currently an existing Sheffield City Council or Housing Association tenant, then a Mutual Exchange is an efficient and effective way to alleviate your rehousing need. You can visit HomeSwapper and register to find a Mutual Exchange. To explore more of these options please visit Other housing options | Sheffield City Council
When will the new Housing Allocations Policy come into place?
We intend to implement the new Housing Allocations Policy in Autumn 2026. This is subject to change and we will communicate any change to this date.
The intended date will ensure we have sufficient time to communicate with residents, stakeholders and officers. This will allow the project team to include time for training and briefings and any IT system changes that are required.
What are the keys changes to the Housing Allocations Policy?
A summary of the key changes table can be found on the top of this page. The changes from our current policy relate to:
When was the new Housing Allocations Policy agreed?
A draft Housing Allocation policy was taken to the Housing Policy Committee on 29th January 2026. It was approved and this will now be adopted as our final policy.
What will the new Housing Allocations Policy change mean for applicants?
The changes that are included in the Housing Allocations policy mean:
What do I need to know?
Our new Housing Allocations will not come into effect immediately. Until it does our current Housing Allocations Policy will apply (Applying for a council home | Sheffield City Council).
This means:
Further communication will be sent out as part of the implementation phase. This will include updates on when we intend to implement the new policy and details as to how you may be affected by the changes.
Sufficient notice will also be given to applicants before the new policy is implemented, this will include advice and assistance on alternative housing options what the changes will mean and how we can support you.
What is the Allocations Policy?
The Allocations Policy explains who will be offered Council and Registered Providers’ (Housing Associations) homes which become available for rent in Sheffield. It explains how we decide:
Was the Housing Allocations Policy consulted on?
Yes as part of the review, the Housing Policy Committee agreed to a two-stage public consultation approach, outlined below:
Were other social landlords (Registered Providers) consulted with?
As part of the consultation, we had a statutory duty to consult with all private Registered Providers where we have a nomination arrangement in place. We sent them a copy of the draft policy and given them reasonable opportunity to comment.
Our full consultation findings can be found here Housing Allocations Policy Consultation Report Phase 2.pdf
Will properties still be advertised to General needs bands?
Yes, a proportion of the properties advertised will give preference to households with
priority that are in (Bands 1-5) and a proportion will give preference to households without priority (Band 6) in the new policy.
Properties selected will be taken from each type and size as and when they become available.
The appropriately authorised director responsible for housing within the Council will determine the exact proportions of properties advertised to Bands 1-5 and Band 6, and any changes will be openly advertised on our website. This will be reviewed on at least an annual basis.
What can I found out how my feedback to the consultations was used to help shape the final Housing Allocations policy?
You said we did! As part of our commitment to ensure that we heard the feedback of our residents/organisations/officers that responded to both consultations and made use of it as part of the decision-making process we recognise this is key to “closing the loop” in terms of communications and establishing trust.
Therefore, we have designed a dedicated page on here where we have listened and recognised the feedback as part of the final approval of the new policy.
Where can I find a copy of the final Housing Allocations policy?
A link to the policy can be found here- Decision - Housing Allocations Policy Review - Final Draft Allocations Policy | Sheffield City Council
Where will I be able to access further advice and assistance if I have any concerns?
If you need to discuss any of your concerns further, you can contact our Housing Call Centre on 0114 293000 and ask to speak to a member of staff within Rehousing Services who will be able to discuss any concerns with you.
Alternatively, if you wish to discuss in person then you can visit the Sheffield Property Shop at Howden House to speak to one of our Customer Service Advisors.
You can contact us via our email address if you have any further enquires AllocationsPolicy@Sheffield.gov.uk
What are the alternative rehousing options if I am wanting to be rehoused or access a property through social housing?
If you wish to discuss your housing needs, you can contact us in the following ways: