Allocations Policy Consultation 2026

WHAT IS SBHA’S ALLOCATION POLICY – HOW WE ALLOCATE HOMES AND ASSESS HOUSING NEED

THE CONSULTATION SURVEY FOR MARCH 2026 IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS@SBHA.ORG.UK IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES - THANK YOU.

SBHA’s Allocations Policy sets out how we let our homes and how we prioritise people who register with us for housing.  Its sets out the legal and regulatory framework and what we must consider when assessing housing need.

 

HOUSING EMERGENCY

The Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency in May 2024 with Scottish Borders Council being one of 13 council areas to declare emergencies locally.  With those seeking social housing properties in the Borders doubling over the last five years, we now face significant challenges in ensuring residents have access to homes which meet their needs.

SBHA are experiencing huge demand for our homes and people are presenting with high levels of need.  We have seen a rise in need from those suffering domestic abuse, homelessness, and relationship breakdowns. We have many applicants awaiting housing due to overcrowding and health needs and SBHA must fulfil its legal duties around homelessness and housing those assessed by Scottish Borders Council as homeless.

 

WHY ARE WE REVIEWING OUR ALLOCATION POLICY?

We review all our policies on a 3-year cycle and our Allocation Policy is due for review this year.

By reviewing the Allocation Policy, this makes sure it continues to reflect:

• Current housing needs and demands, including changes and pressures on local housing supply and demand
• Good practice guidance and legal requirements in Scotland
• Feedback from people looking for housing, our key partners and the communities we serve.

SBHA is legally obliged to consult with our tenants, customers, housing applicants and any other interested parties on our Allocation Policy.

 

HOUSING NEED AND DEMAND ACROSS THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

SBHA allocated 463 homes between 1^st April 2025 and 28^th February 2026 with an average bid of 42 per property.

Since 2023, we have provided 84 new build homes and expanded our Mid-Market Rent portfolio for key worker housing from 3 to 16 homes.

As at the end of February 2026, SBHA had 7,237 housing applicants registered for housing.

The average age of a housing applicant is 47 years old.  A breakdown of applicants ages demonstrates the following:

• 6% of applicants are aged under 25
• 61% of applicants fall within the age bracket of 26 to 54 years
• 33% of applicants are aged over 55
• 4% of applicants are aged over 80

The most sought-after areas for housing are Galashiels, which accounts for 28% of applicants preferred area, followed by Hawick at 18%, Kelso with 14% and Peebles at 13%, indicating a concentration of demand within these towns.

More than half of all applicants (54%) require a one bedroomed home with 13% of applicants seeking larger family homes.

Of the total applicants, 29% consider themselves to have a disability.

When considering those applicants with the greatest priority, the table below demonstrates the impact of the priority categories since the Allocation Policy was last reviewed in 2023 and the current level of applicants within each priority.