33,000 households on Birmingham's housing waiting list

More than 33,000 households are waiting for a home on Birmingham City Council's housing register, while the council can offer an average of only around 57 properties a week, according to the council's latest housing options information.

The council receives about 500 new applications every week, and more than 5,600 households are living in temporary accommodation.

A system under pressure

The figures show the scale of the housing shortage in Birmingham. With far more people applying than there are homes available, many households wait years for a council or housing association home, and some may never be offered one.

Homes are allocated according to the council's allocations policy, which gives priority to people in the greatest need. That includes people who are homeless, those living in severely overcrowded or unsafe conditions, and people with serious medical needs made worse by their housing.

How the system works

Birmingham uses a choice-based lettings system called Birmingham Choice. Applicants who are accepted onto the register are placed in a priority band and can bid for available council and housing association homes that suit their needs. Homes are offered to the bidders with the highest priority and, within each band, usually to those who have been waiting longest.

Temporary accommodation

More than 5,600 households are living in temporary accommodation because they are homeless. That can mean hostels, bed and breakfast hotels or self-contained flats, sometimes far from children's schools and families' support networks. The council has been buying buildings to provide better temporary accommodation and reduce its use of bed and breakfasts.

New homes on the way

New affordable homes are being built across the city. Midland Heart plans to deliver 1,200 new affordable homes in Birmingham before 2028, and the council is building homes for social rent through its own programme, including in Druids Heath. A scheme of 137 affordable homes on the site of the former Ladywood Police Station is due before the planning committee on 8 October.

The council's new Local Plan aims for 87,700 new homes in the city by 2044.

Other options

Because of the long waits, the council encourages people to consider other options, such as private renting, shared ownership and mutual exchanges, where existing social tenants swap homes. Help with deposits and rent in advance may be available for some people moving into private rented homes.

The Renters' Rights Act, which came into force in May, has given private tenants more security, ending so-called no-fault evictions.

If you are at risk of homelessness

Anyone who is homeless or worried about losing their home should contact the council's housing options service as early as possible. The council has a legal duty to help prevent and relieve homelessness, and the earlier people ask for help, the more options there are. Free advice is also available from Shelter and Citizens Advice.

A national picture

Birmingham is not alone. Across England, more than a million households are on council waiting lists, and the number of households in temporary accommodation has reached record levels. The Government has promised the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding for a generation.

How to apply

People can apply to join the housing register online through Birmingham Choice. Applicants must meet eligibility rules, including usually having a local connection to Birmingham.