Overview of the Housing Register at 1 April 2026
Housing Register
2,538 housing register applications were submitted during 2025-2026.
The total number of applications on the housing register at the end of the year was 2,156. This is 27 less than at 1 April 2025.
- 171 Band 1 (urgent need)
- 818 Band 2 (significant need)
- 387 Band 3 (moderate need)
- 780 Band 4 (low need)
Reasons for applying
The main reasons for applying during 2025/26 were exactly the same as in 2024/25.
A need for a larger home was by far the most common reason for applying for housing, followed by homelessness and health reasons.
| Reasons for applying | 2024/2025 | 2025/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 Overcrowding | 409 | 434 |
| No.2 Homelessness | 269 | 256 |
| No.3 Health reasons | 221 | 247 |
Size of homes let by band
During 2025/26, most homes were allocated to applicants in Bands 1 and 2. Only a small number were allocated to applicants in Bands 3 and 4. Due to a continued short supply of 4-bed homes, none of these larger homes were let to applicants in Bands 3 or 4.
| Bedrooms | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
| 1-Bed | 68 | 99 | 9 | 5 |
| 2-Bed | 148 | 75 | 10 | 5 |
| 3-Bed | 67 | 69 | 1 | 2 |
| 4-Bed | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Size of homes required
Whilst those needing 1-bed homes make up the highest number of total applications on the housing register, the spread of need is more even when considering those with moderate to urgent needs (Bands 1 to 3).
| Bedrooms | All bands | Bands 1 to 3 only |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | 926 | 528 |
| 2 bed | 634 | 350 |
| 3 bed | 396 | 320 |
| 4 bed | 200 | 177 |
Lettings
584 homes were let via the housing register in 2025/26, almost 30% more than in 2024/25.
New build affordable housing delivery helped boost the number of homes let, with new builds making up a significant portion of all lettings.
The supply of 4-bed homes increased significantly from the 14 homes let in 2024/25. However, overall numbers of these larger homes are still low, meeting only 15% of demand from those with moderate to urgent needs (in Bands 1-3). No 5-bed homes were let during 2025/26.
Average waiting times
Of all applicants who accepted an offer of housing during 2025/26, those who secured a 4-bedroom home waited by far the longest, waiting on average 954 days.
This reflects the continued short supply of these larger homes.
| Number of bedrooms | Average waiting time (days) |
|---|---|
| 1 bed | 305 days |
| 2 bed | 287 days |
| 3 bed | 518 days |
| 4 bed | 954 days |
Accessible housing
There is a high demand for 1-bedroom accessible homes, with over 250 applicants having a medical need for a ground floor home.
Whilst the demand for larger family accessible homes is not as great, the supply of these homes is extremely low.
| Number of Bedrooms | Demand for ground floor | Homes let with a ground floor bedroom |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | 261 | 86 |
| 2 bed | 61 | 60 |
| 3 bed | 35 | 2 |
| 4 bed+ | 20 | 1 |