Who gets our homes?

Mum of two, Sarah, applied for a three-bedroom home in Garston in 2019. Both her children have additional needs and requires separate bedrooms to meet their needs.

Because of their medical needs, her application was prioritised by a year. This recognised that the family had already spent time living somewhere that didn’t suit their medical and development needs.

Staying in Garston was also important for Sarah, to maintain existing support networks, stay close to schools and stick to routines that work best for her children. In August 2025, a new-build home became available that perfectly matched Sarah’s requirements: the right size, the right layout, and - most importantly - within her chosen area to keep essential routines intact for her children.

Sarah was successfully matched and moved in December 2025. Sarah described the move as “life‑changing.” Each child finally had their own bedroom, giving them the space, comfort, and the calm environment they need. The family now has a safe, modern home where their children can thrive.

Kemal and his family applied for a home in 2023, during a period of immense uncertainty. They had been assessed by Liverpool City Council as statutory homeless and were placed in temporary accommodation within a family hostel. Despite the challenges of living in a shared environment with limited space and privacy, the family remained hopeful that a permanent home would soon be within reach.

The family’s application was awarded a three‑year priority backdate, moving them higher up the list, recognising the significant length of time they had already spent without a secure and suitable place to live. Their circumstances meant they required either a three‑bedroom parlour house or a four‑bedroom home, both of which are in short supply. As a result, the family faced a longer wait while continuing to live in temporary accommodation.

In February 2025, a rare opportunity arose - a three-bedroom parlour house became available. As soon as the keys were returned, Kemal and his family were invited to view the home where they gladly accepted the offer - a significant turning point after years of uncertainty.

However, before the family could move in, essential work on the home was needed. The previous tenant had refused improvements so extensive refurbishment was needed, including upgrades to improve its energy efficiency, ensuring it met modern standards and would provide a warm, cost‑effective home for the family.

When the renovations were completed, Kemal and his family received the keys to their new home - a place where each member of the family could finally have space, privacy, and stability. Moving out of temporary accommodation marked the end of a challenging chapter and the beginning of a brighter, more secure future.

Catherine was already an SLH tenant when she originally applied for a transfer in June 2017, when deteriorating health meant that she needed a bungalow. She applied for medical priority, and her application was backdated one year.

However, when her adult son moved out, Catherine was left living alone in a home that was now too large for her needs. Recognising this change, her priority was upgraded due to under occupation and was backdated by three years.

Catherine moved into her bungalow in 2025, a move that not only met her health requirements but also provided a more manageable and comfortable living environment for the future.

Elizabeth had been living alone in a three-bedroom SLH home, which had become too large for her needs. In December 2023, she applied for a transfer to one of our independent living apartments in Woolton, as managing the stairs was becoming increasingly difficult.

Her application was backdated by three years due to under-occupation, recognising that her current home was no longer suitable. In September 2025, Elizabeth viewed and accepted a ground-floor flat, perfectly meeting her requirements for accessibility and comfort.

The move not only improved Elizabeth’s quality of life but also allowed us to allocate her former home to a family experiencing overcrowding, helping two households find the right fit for their needs.

James, a single father with full custody of two children, applied for a home in August 2020 following the breakdown of his relationship. To keep his children together, James moved back into his parents’ three-bedroom home. Under our policy, this arrangement was not considered overcrowded, as the household had sufficient bedrooms for James and his two children.

During the application process, James became a father to a third child, whom he had access to with regular overnight care. This changed his housing requirement from a two-bedroom to a three-bedroom home.

James’ circumstances presented a challenge: while not technically overcrowded, he provided medical evidence showing that his current living arrangements were negatively impacting his health. He was awarded medical priority, and his application was backdated by one year. He also wanted to remain in the same area, so he could maintain his relationship with his parents, and wider family.

In November 2025, James successfully secured a three-bedroom home in his preferred area. This case highlights the complexities of housing allocation, where custody arrangements and medical priorities intersect with standard overcrowding criteria.

In November 2025, James got a three-bedroom home in the area he wanted. His situation shows how finding a home can be complicated, as it involves things like child custody, health needs, and the standard rules about overcrowding.