Apply for social housing

About social housing

Social housing is affordable housing, provided by housing associations, for people who need help finding a home. It usually costs less than renting privately and it may be for you, if you: 

• Can’t afford private rents or to buy your own home
• Have a housing need, such as lacking three or more bedrooms for the people living in your current home

Important information about social housing

• We do not own council houses. We work with housing associations who provide homes in Rushmoor
• The demand for social housing in Aldershot and Farnborough is greater than the number of homes available. This means that waiting times for a suitable home can be years
• So that social housing goes to people who need it most, we have a housing allocation scheme. This gives priority to those with the greatest need

Who we can help

Due to higher demand than homes available we must prioritise based on greatest need. Some examples of people in housing need who may receive priority banding are:  

• Someone who has a life threatening medical condition that is directly and negatively affected by where they currently live. Priority need is not based on a medical diagnosis alone, but based on an assessment of how much it is impacted by your current home
• People who are living in very overcrowded accommodation for example those lacking at least 3 bedrooms. We recognise that many households are overcrowded by one or two bedrooms. However, due to limited housing availability, priority is given to those experiencing the most severe overcrowding

How the social housing scheme works in Rushmoor

To apply for social housing, you first need to join our housing register. It is available to anyone who is 16 years or over and lives in Rushmoor.

Once you have joined our housing register, we will give you a band based on your current housing situation. Due to high demand, only those who have a priority need are likely to be offered social housing. 

Housing bands and waiting times for a home

Our housing allocation scheme explains in more detail about the bands.

If you need large sized accommodation, such as a three bed home or more, you are likely to face waiting times greater than listed above. 

We encourage you to think about if social housing is a realistic housing solution for you before applying. You may find, if you are struggling to pay your private rent for example, that some of our housing benefit options help you.

How to register and apply 

If you feel social housing could be a solution for you, please follow the steps below and join the housing register.

Step 1: Register on the Rushmoor Home Finder website

Joining the housing register is a two-step process, first register, creating your personal login, then complete the full application.

We will automatically cancel any incomplete applications after two weeks. 

Apply to join our housing register on the Rushmoor Home Finder website

Before you begin

You need to be ready with the following documents and information:

• Proof of identity for you and anyone who will live with you (passport, or birth certificate – we cannot accept driving licences)
• Proof of address (utility bill, tenancy agreement)
• Proof of income (wage slips, benefits statements)
• Bank statements
• Evidence of local connection (for example, work, family, current/previous address)
• Any medical or support needs (letters from GP or support services)
• Evidence for any criteria you feel you meet within our scheme

Step 2: We check your details

We look at your circumstances to determine your priority, such as where you live now, your income, and your housing need. To complete the assessment we may also ask you to provide more information. 

Step 3: We give you a priority band

You’ll be placed in one of four bands: 

• Band 1 – Emergency cases
• Band 2 – Urgent need
• Band 3 – High need
• Band 4 – Lower need

You will be given a letter confirming your band, unique reference number and a memorable date.

You can then log into Rushmoor Home Finder on a weekly basis to bid (register your interest) for the properties available. 

Step 4: You bid for properties

Homes are advertised on our Home Finder website. 

You can: 

• View available homes online on the home finder link when you have been accepted on the scheme 
• Bid for homes that suit your needs - you can place a maximum of 3 bids per week

Your place in the queue may change throughout the bidding process as people with higher priority register their interest.  

Step 5: Homes are offered

Homes are offered to the bidder in the highest band and who has been waiting the longest

If a home is for a special need (like wheelchair access), the website shows the usual queue order (as mentioned above). After bidding ends, we check manually, so the home might go to someone with that need even if they’re in a lower band. 

The amount of time you wait for social housing can be long and if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.

More information can be found on our homelessness and urgent housing need page.

Step 6: Housing associations provide the homes

We work with housing associations who own and manage the properties.

If you are matched to a home through Rushmoor Home Finder, the housing association will contact you – it can take up to four weeks for them to contact you. 

Why we have an housing allocation scheme for social housing

By law, every council must have an housing allocation scheme. This is our set of rules that explains: 

• Who can apply for social housing
• How we assess housing needs
• How we give priority

Our housing allocation scheme makes sure homes are offered fairly and transparently.