Slough Council is set to bring a revised social housing allocation scheme before its cabinet on Monday 20 July, as it attempts to address a persistent shortage of homes and concerns raised by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).
Regulator warned of shortcomings
In a report published last year the RSH concluded that "significant improvement is needed" in Slough’s social housing service and said it could not see that lettings were being made "in a fair and transparent way." The findings prompted the council to agree a package of actions: in May councillors made 18 formal commitments to the regulator intended to tackle those shortcomings.
The council says the latest draft allocation scheme — covering 2026–31 — is designed to make the best use of very limited social housing stock and to shorten waiting times for those with the greatest housing need.
What the new scheme aims to do
Council papers state that social housing in the borough is "scarce" and that demand currently outweighs supply, which "poses a significant challenge to the council." The draft scheme sets out seven objectives intended to guide lettings policy; several of those objectives are highlighted in the cabinet report:
- Provide an accessible, fair and transparent service.
- Meet local housing needs, with emphasis on those who are most vulnerable.
- Help applicants make realistic decisions about housing options and prioritise those with the most urgent need.
- Make the best use of the existing social housing stock and ensure equal treatment for all applicants.
"Social housing is scarce in Slough and demand outweighs supply which poses a significant challenge to the council."
Changes proposed
The draft allocation scheme proposes changes to the current priority banding. The council highlights a long-standing imbalance in the borough’s social housing supply, noting a high proportion of studio and one- and two-bedroom properties. That profile has produced a "vast shortage" of larger accommodation, which the draft banding review seeks to address by updating how priority is determined.
Slough last reviewed its allocations policy in 2018; this update, if approved by cabinet, will determine how available social homes are prioritised and offered across the borough for the next five years.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator finding | RSH said "significant improvement is needed" and could not see lettings were fair and transparent |
| Council response | 18 formal commitments made to the regulator (May) |
| Next step | Draft allocations scheme for 2026–31 to be considered by cabinet on 20 July |
Local residents waiting for social housing will want to follow the cabinet meeting outcome closely. The cabinet’s decision will determine whether the revised banding and other procedural changes are adopted and how they may affect waiting times and the allocation of larger family homes within Slough’s limited social housing stock.
