Register for social housing in Walsall

Housing Register applications are temporarily suspended

To get ready for our new Allocations Policy, we’re reviewing all existing housing applications. The review ensures that all applications are assessed fairly, and in line with our updated policy.

This means that from Monday 17 November 2025 we won’t be able to accept new applications to the Housing Register for about 12 weeks.

Homelessness duty

If you meet the criteria to be owed a homelessness duty you will still have access to the housing register during the review period. Please contact us and we can help you.

What this means for existing applicants

Applicants without a recognised housing need will be placed in band D. This is the lowest priority band. We advise all applicants within this band to consider other housing options, such as mutual exchange or private rented due to the limited supply of properties available.
Existing applicants who are already active or have applied prior to suspension of the register will receive an invite in mid-December to complete a review.
- your existing effective date will be honoured
- you will be reassessed against the new policy
- your banding might change

You can see the new Allocations Policy bandings in the table below.

We will continue to contact applicants from the housing register during the review period if you are matched to a suitable property.

If your circumstances change during this time please contact us for help.

Banding priority changes

The new policy still uses Bands A to D. As a result of the review you could see a change to your banding due to the prioritisation in the new Allocations Policy.

Care leavers

Care leavers are prioritised. If you’re a care leaver supported by Walsall Council, you’ll be placed in Band A, subject to the standard conditions of the policy. If you’re not supported by Walsall Council, you’ll be placed in Band C.

Armed Forces Community

All UK Armed Forces members (Regular or Reserve) and UK Armed Forces veterans can now apply, even if you don’t have a recognised housing need. Please contact us for help with this.

Next steps

You do not need to take any action right now.

If you are an existing applicant we'll contact you in December to invite you to complete a review.

If you need housing advice and support

There’s more support and advice available to help you get rehoused quicker, and consider other housing choices, as well as social housing.

Consider renting from a private landlord, or joining other housing associations. You can read more about housing associations in Walsall.
If you already rent from a Housing Association, you may be able to join Home Swapper. They can help you to find people to swap homes with.
If you receive benefits, you might get extra help with costs like a deposit, rent in advance, or moving costs. This is called a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). Find out more and apply for a DHP.

You can also:

call our Housing Allocations Team on 01922 650000 option 7 or email us.
visit one of our Walsall Connected sites for face-to-face support

Housing bands

New Housing Allocations Policy bands

Bands	Housing need circumstances
Band A households awarded Additional Preference	Homeless households who are Eligible, Unintentionally Homeless and in Priority Need Households who are homeless and in temporary accommodation that would not be suitable for more than a short period of time, or where the Council needs to move applicants out of temporary accommodation to manage the budgetary impact on the Council Households living in housing conditions which give rise to an imminent risk of serious harm to health or wellbeing An applicant who has an extremely urgent and immediate need to move for medical reasons or due to a disability, which is being exacerbated by their current housing situation Applicants who need to move immediately due to domestic abuse, extreme violence or extreme harassment Foster carers and those approved by the Council to adopt Armed forces personnel in urgent housing need Care Leavers supported by Walsall Children’s Services Households currently under-occupying their property by at least two bedrooms or who are under-occupying a house Households occupying adapted properties where the adaptations are no longer in use Households occupying a ground floor flat with a walk-in shower or wet room
Band B households in Reasonable Preference	Households who are eligible for assistance and homeless under Section 189B of the Housing Act 1996 (Relief Duty) Households resident in public or private sector properties directly affected by housing clearance programmes Households living in overcrowded conditions and whose housing circumstances have been assessed as being two bedrooms short of what they need. Households who qualify for Reasonable Preference under medical or disability grounds Persons in supported housing seeking a move-on to settled accommodation under the Council’s Move-On requirements from supported housing Housing Association tenants who currently occupy an Intermediate or Advanced Level Sanctuary Scheme property who wish to vacate the property
Band C households in Reasonable Preference	Households who are eligible for assistance and homeless under Section 195(2) of the Housing Act 1996 (Prevention Duty) Applicant’s living in overcrowded conditions and whose housing circumstances have been assessed as being one bedroom short of what they need Households who qualify under Hardship Grounds All Care Leavers not supported by Walsall Children’s Services Housing Association tenants currently resident in a flat or maisonette under-occupying by one bedroom, and who wish to transfer to a property to which they are eligible with fewer bedrooms Members and former members of the UK Armed Forces with no recognised housing need
Band D households in Reasonable Preference	Households deemed by the Council to be intentionally homeless and have a priority need for accommodation and owed the section 190 duty (see Section C/2.1c). Households who are deemed to qualify for Band D as set out in this policy as per Section E/3.2. Households who qualify under ‘general needs’, i.e. they have no recognised housing need in law. NOTE: In terms of shortlisting within this criteria (Band D), households in either ‘A’ or ‘B’ above will be considered first.