Register for social housing

We manage the Lichfield District Homes Register in partnership with housing associations across the district. The register lets eligible local people bid on social housing in the district. Because there is limited social housing in the district, housing is allocated to residents in the greatest housing need.

We’ve put this snapshot together to help anyone looking for a social rented home in the district (whether you are a new applicant or want to move between social rented homes) to understand what to expect.

The figures in this snapshot are based on 2023/2024 figures. An updated report on 2024/2025’s figures will be released in late 2025.

How many joined the register?

Of the 1,227 people who applied, 687 were eligible to join the housing register to find a new home for them or their family.  

How many homes were advertised?

435 homes were advertised. Of these, 377 homes were let within the year. Homes that were not let didn’t meet people’s needs – for example not enough bedrooms or not the right area.

Who were offered properties, based on their priority band?

Every applicant on our register is given a priority band based on their circumstances.

Their banding affects how their bids are shortlisted, and their chance of being offered a property. You can be placed in one of three bands – emergency, band 1 or band 2 – find out more.

A third of properties advertised were let to residents in the emergency band, over half (64%) were let to residents in priority band 1, and the remainder (6%) to residents in priority band 2.

How many bedrooms did properties have?

Most properties that we let had either one bedroom (40%) or two bedrooms (40%).

Only 72 (19%) properties had three bedrooms, and just 4 (1%) had four bedrooms.

How many people are currently waiting for a new home on the register?

530 people* are currently waiting for a new home. 218 people need a one-bedroom property, 109 need a two-bedroom property, 135 need a three-bedroom property and 68 need four or more bedrooms.

*These figures are just a snapshot in time and change every day but give a good idea of who is on the register at any one time.

How long do people wait on average?

Waiting times for people who have secured a new home thorugh the register varied considerably last year (between 103 and 370 days) and depended on priority band, how many bedrooms people needed, and what areas people were happy to live in.

People who need two-bedroom properties (regardless of their banding) wait the shortest time (average 110 days), and those in the emergency band also have a shorter wait (average 110 days).

Anyone looking for a four-bedroom property could wait more than a year for a property, depending on their priority band.

Based on priority band or bedroom need alone, the average wait times for people who secured a home last year were:

Based on priority band and bedroom need, the average waiting times last year were:

*No data is available for band 2, 3 bedrooms, or bands 1 & 2, 4 bedrooms.

What about the longest waits?

The average waiting times we’ve shared only reflect those applicants who have successfully found a home through the register. They don’t represent how long others—who are still waiting—have been on the list.

How quickly you’re likely to find a home depends on several key factors, including:

• The band you’re in.
• How many people are in the same band as you and have been waiting longer for the same size property.
• The number of people in higher bands (especially the emergency band) who are also waiting for the same size property.
• How often you place bids.
• Whether you’re open to bidding on properties across the entire district, rather than focusing on one specific area or village.

Because of this, the longest waiting times on the register can vary widely. In some cases, people may wait two or even three years, depending on their individual circumstances and how they choose to bid.

Unfortunately, even if you’re doing everything right, you may still experience longer waits, particularly when applicants are placed into higher priority bands, such as the emergency band or band 1 above you.

To improve your chances of finding a home, we strongly recommend:

• Bidding regularly.
• Bidding on as many suitable properties as possible.
• Keeping your search area as broad as you can.

Focusing on just one area or village can significantly reduce your chances of success, so flexibility is key.

We understand it can feel disheartening to wait longer than others, but because homes are allocated based on both housing need and waiting time, we're not able to fast-track applications, even if it feels unfair, unless your circumstances change in a way that affects your level of housing need.

Where were most properties advertised?

Most properties were let in St John's in Lichfield, Alrewas & Fradley and Stowe in Lichfield - (download street maps).

To view a map of where social rented properties are located visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/districthomesmap

Where did most people want to live?

Most people waiting on the register would prefer to live in Chase Terrace, Boley Park or Curborough. Very few properties were available in these areas. The table below shows the number of people waiting for different types of properties in each of these areas. 

To view a map of where social rented properties are located visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/districthomesmap

Have any new social rented properties been built?

190 new build properties were created for social rent. New properties continue to be built, but the number of new build social rented properties are expected to drop in coming years.

More information

We hope you have found this shapshot useful. To find out more download our 2024 what to expect factsheet.

The figures in the factsheet are based on 2023/2024 figures. An updated report on 2024/2025’s figures will be released in late 2025.