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Housing associations in London

Understand how housing associations work, how to apply and where to find help in London.

Applies in
England
An older couple walking along a leafy London street of brick housing blocks, carrying a folder of documents

Choose what you need

  1. I want to understand my optionsStart with how housing associations work and who can apply. Two short chapters explain the system before you commit to an application.
    Go to this part of the guide
  2. I want to apply for social housingGo straight to the numbered application steps.
    Jump to section
  3. I am considering shared ownershipCompare renting and part-buying routes.
    Jump to section
  4. I need to find local organisationsJump to the London agency and provider directory.
    Jump to section

At a glance

Who this guide is for
Older Londoners, relatives and carers considering social or affordable housing.
What it covers
Housing association homes for rent and shared ownership across Greater London.
Where it applies
England. London boroughs run their own waiting lists — details vary by borough.
What you may need
Proof of identity, address history, income and savings, and any medical or support evidence.
Is a council application involved?
Usually. Most London social homes are allocated through a borough housing register.
Urgent help
If you are homeless or at risk within 56 days, contact your borough's housing options team today.
In this guide
  1. How housing associations work
  2. Who can apply
  3. How to apply
  4. What happens after you apply
  5. Renting or shared ownership
  6. What to prepare before applying
  7. Organisations and agencies

How housing associations work

Housing associations are not-for-profit landlords that provide homes at below-market rents. In London they own and manage a large share of the capital's social housing, from street properties to purpose-built retirement schemes.

They are independent of councils but work closely with them. Most of their homes are let to people nominated from borough waiting lists, and their rents and standards are regulated nationally.

Any surplus a housing association makes is reinvested in homes and services rather than paid to shareholders. Many larger London associations also run support services for older residents.

Who can apply

Most people apply through their borough's housing register rather than to a housing association directly. Each London borough sets its own qualification rules within national law.

You will usually need a local connection to the borough — through residence, family or work — and your immigration status must make you eligible for social housing.

Boroughs commonly give priority to people who are:

  • homeless or threatened with homelessness
  • living in overcrowded, unsafe or unsuitable housing
  • needing to move for medical or welfare reasons
  • older people who need to move closer to family or support

How to apply

  1. Check which route applies

    Confirm whether the borough where you want to live runs its own register, a common register with neighbouring boroughs, or direct applications to housing associations for some schemes.

    Find your borough council on GOV.UK(opens in a new tab)

  2. Prepare your information

    Gather your documents before you start — incomplete applications are a common cause of delay.

    You will usually need

    • proof of identity for everyone moving with you
    • five years of address history
    • proof of income, savings and any benefits
    • medical or support evidence if you are applying on health grounds

  3. Apply to the council or provider

    Most boroughs take applications online. If you cannot use an online form, every borough must offer an alternative — ask the housing options team.

    Take care: Beware of anyone charging a fee to submit a social housing application. Applying is free.

  4. Ask how priority is assessed

    Ask for your banding decision in writing and what evidence could change it. If you disagree, you have the right to request a review.

  5. Keep your details updated

    Report changes in your household, health or housing situation promptly, and respond to any renewal letters so your application stays active.

An older woman's hands organising identity documents, bank statements and a housing application form on a kitchen table
Gathering documents before you start is the single biggest time-saver in a London application.

What happens after you apply

Once your application is accepted you will be placed in a priority band and can usually bid on advertised homes through a choice-based lettings system.

Waiting times in London are long for most property types. Ground-floor and adapted homes for older applicants can come up more often than family houses, but demand still exceeds supply in every borough.

Keep your application up to date. Boroughs regularly review their registers, and missing a renewal letter can mean losing your place.

Renting or shared ownership

The main routes to a housing association home in London, compared

Council allocation (social rent)

How you apply
Borough housing register, then bidding
Tenure
Assured or secure tenancy
Typical cost responsibility
Social rent — typically 40–60% of market rent
Eligibility route
Borough allocation scheme and priority banding
Where to check current guidance
Your borough council

Direct housing association application

How you apply
Direct to the association for some schemes
Tenure
Assured tenancy
Typical cost responsibility
Social or affordable rent
Eligibility route
Association's own criteria, often age-based for retirement schemes
Where to check current guidance
The housing association

Shared ownership

How you apply
Through the association or Homes for Londoners
Tenure
Part-own, part-rent leasehold
Typical cost responsibility
Mortgage or savings plus rent on the unsold share, plus service charge
Eligibility route
Household income under £90,000 and unable to buy outright
Where to check current guidance
Homes for Londoners / Share to Buy

Private retirement housing

How you apply
Direct to the operator or through an agent
Tenure
Leasehold or private tenancy
Typical cost responsibility
Market price or rent, plus service charges
Eligibility route
Usually age 55 or 60 plus; no council application
Where to check current guidance
The scheme operator

What to prepare before applying

Tick items off as you gather them. Progress is saved on this device only and is never sent to ShelterFind — this list does not submit anything to a council or housing association.

0 of 6 prepared · saved on this device only

Housing associations and agencies in London

Organisations our editorial team selected for this guide. Links checked 30 June 2026.

Official guidance and applications

Council and local-authority help

Housing associations and providers

Independent advice and support

Sources and review

This guide describes the system in England and is general information, not advice about your individual situation.

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