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 2022/2023 figures. An updated report on 2023/2024’s figures will be released in late 2024.

How many joined the register?

Of the 1,114 people who applied, 573 were eligible to join the housing register to find a new home for them or their family.  

How many homes were advertised on the register?

627 homes were advertised. Of these, 448 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.

Just over half (52%) of the properties advertised were let to residents in priority band 1, 27% were let to residents in the emergency band and the remainder (21%) to residents in priority band 2.

How many bedrooms did properties have?

Most properties had either one bedroom (38%) or two bedrooms (39%).

Only 94 properties (21%) had three bedrooms and just 10 (2%) had four bedrooms.

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

404 people* are currently waiting for a new home. 169 people need a one-bedroom property, 84 need a two-bedroom property, 97 need a three-bedroom property and 54 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 tend to wait?

Waiting times vary considerably (between 35 and 416 days) and depend on your priority band, how many bedrooms you need, and what areas you are happy to live in. People who need one-bedroom properties (regardless of their banding) wait the shortest time (35 days), and those in the emergency band also have a shorter wait (154 days). Anyone looking for a four-bedroom property could wait more than a year for a property, depending on their priority band.

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?

166 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 2023 what to expect factsheet.

The figures in the factsheet are based on 2022/2023 figures. An updated report on 2023/2024’s figures will be released in late 2024.