It’s well documented that local authorities are under extreme pressure to meet the demand on their housing waiting lists, and mandatory housing targets are set to intensify that pressure. In Westminster alone, the housing register has over 6,000 applicants, but on average only around 800 homes become available each year. Many of these are studio or one-bedroom properties, while larger family-sized homes are in huge demand. In the City, the average wait for a three-bedroom home is 16 years.

It isn’t just new applicants on the list. It includes families experiencing overcrowding, disabled residents who need adapted homes, and older people who require basic support to continue living independently. In addition, the council receives more than 2,000 homeless applications each year, with most applicants housed in temporary accommodation while awaiting longer-term options. What is less widely known about Westminster is that it is home to 200,000 people, with more than a third living in social housing.

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