How our homes are allocated 

We work closely with Liverpool City Council to allocate homes to people who need them most, working from our own waiting list and from people who apply via Property Pool Plus, the council’s choice-based lettings scheme. 

The way homes are allocated differs, depending on whether they are existing homes or new homes. In either case, applicants often apply directly to us and apply through Property Pool Plus, so may appear on both lists. 

Existing homes 

The allocation of existing empty homes is split between South Liverpool Homes and Liverpool City Council. Typically, 50% of applicants will come from our waiting list, with the remaining 50% coming from applicants nominated by Liverpool City Council who have applied through Property Pool Plus. 

New homes 

Because many new developments are funded by the Government, Liverpool City Council nominate people who have applied for a home through Property Pool Plus. We then work alongside the Council on these nominations, ensuring that we allocate homes that satisfy the needs of the wider Liverpool area, as well as applicants on our waiting list. This can differ depending on the nature of the development. 

Local Lettings Plans 

When we build new homes, sometimes Local Lettings Plans need to be developed to create a strong and balanced community. A local lettings plan is an agreement between the Local Authority and a housing association which helps decides how homes will be allocated to meet specific local needs. If a local lettings plan is needed, we will let you know through our website. 

The way we prioritise applications based on customers’ individual needs is detailed below and closely mirrors the way that Liverpool City Council applies banding on Property Pool Plus. This ensures that there is a consistent approach to how we allocate homes to those most in need across the Liverpool City Region. 

Applications will be assessed by date of application through the priority assessment matrix below. This means if you have evidence that you fall into one of the categories below we can enhance your application date by between six months and three years. 

6 months added

• If you have local connections (L19, L24 and L25) where our homes are located.
• If you have previously managed a tenancy well.

One year added

• If your current housing conditions are unsatisfactory.
• If you are experiencing welfare or hardship issues.
• If your current home is overcrowded.
• If you have experienced a relationship breakdown.
• If you are in low paid work, voluntary work, higher education or employment-related training close to where our homes are located.
• If your medical needs require you to move. 
• If you are experiencing anti-social behaviour.

Three years added

• If you have statutory homeless status (including care leavers in temporary accommodation)
• If you have homeless prevention status
• When your home is underoccupied.
• When your home is seriously overcrowded (in two or more bedrooms)
• Your home is in an area subject to regeneration works meaning you have to move.
• If your safety is threatened by serious anti-social behaviour, serious domestic abuse or hate crime.
• If you are an armed forces leaver.

If an applicant considers there has been unlawful discrimination or an infringement of human rights by SLH when making the decision to allocate a home, the applicant has the right to seek assistance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Applicants unhappy with the handling of their application, the type of tenancy offered, or the rent charged for their new home can use SLH’s Customer Feedback Policy to express their dissatisfaction and appeal the decision.

Those that are suspended from, or given reduced preference status, to the housing register will also be able to appeal these decisions through the Customer Feedback process.

If an applicant remains unhappy with the decision made in relation to their application they have the right to pursue a judicial review.

Read our full allocations policy here.