Trying to get a council house in London? Experts reveal 'brutal reality' of how long you'll wait

"Only about 56% of people on council housing registers in boroughs like Islington and Lambeth are rehoused each year Councils are removing thousands from waiting lists due to having no realistic chance of being housed Council housing now overwhelmingly goes to those in the most severe need Only about five per cent of Londoners on the waiting list for a council home have any chance of being rehoused, a City Hall inquiry has been told."

"The amount of time that Londoners can expect to spend stuck on the waiting list is worst for families needing larger homes. Islington only lets out about four five-bedroom and 14 four-bedroom homes a year. Boroughs such as Islington and Lambeth only give homes to 5% of people on their waiting list each year In Enfield, the average wait for a three-bedroom council home is 15 years. In Lambeth it is 12 years. In Redbridge it is 18 years."

"They're likely to be the households in the most chronic need, he told a London Assembly investigation into how council homes are allocated. Probably next year, because of the lack of acquisitions and new builds, it will be five per cent. Ninety-four per cent of people on our housing register today will not be housed in the next 12 mont"

Only about five per cent of Londoners on waiting lists have a realistic chance of being rehoused each year. Homeless families given priority and a severe shortage of council properties have created a housing emergency. Most London boroughs now require at least five years' residency to join waiting lists. Waiting times are longest for larger homes: Islington releases only about four five-bedroom and 14 four-bedroom homes annually; Enfield's average wait for a three-bedroom is 15 years, Lambeth 12 years and Redbridge 18 years. Lambeth recently removed 10,000 applicants deemed to have no realistic prospect. Islington expects to house six per cent this year, likely falling to five per cent next year; 94 per cent of its register will not be rehoused within 12 months.

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