How Do I Apply For Social Housing?

AI Summary

You apply for social housing by applying to the Kings Lynn housing register online. First check you’re eligible, then complete the application and upload the supporting evidence they ask for.

Step What you need / what happens
Check eligibility You must be over 18, have annual income and savings less than a third of the average property price in the area, and have a local connection
Local connection This usually means you’ve lived in the borough for at least 3 of the last 5 years, or you have close family in the borough who’ve lived there for 5 years or more
Start the application Use the housing register application page: apply for the housing register
Information needed National Insurance numbers for everyone over 16, address history for the last 6 years, landlord details if relevant, proof of identity, proof of household income, and proof of addresses
Upload evidence If you can’t upload everything straight away, you can return later, but they won’t assess the application until all supporting documents are received
Saving the form You can use “finish later”; the form is saved for 10 days
After you apply Once everything is received, it usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to hear back. If accepted, you’ll get a reference number and be placed in a band

A couple of extra points: if you’re outside the borough, you may only qualify in limited circumstances, such as being in the armed forces or having exceptional reasons to be in the area. If you don’t meet the criteria, Kings Lynn says private renting may be the quickest option.