What Support Do Councils Give When Moving Into Social Housing?

Moving into social housing is a significant life event — often following a period of homelessness, domestic crisis, or emergency placement. While councils and housing associations provide the property itself, the support available to help residents settle in varies enormously across London's 32 boroughs.

What Councils Typically Provide

Most London boroughs offer some form of support to new social housing tenants, though the level of provision differs significantly. Common offerings include a welcome pack with tenancy information, a basic furniture grant or voucher scheme, referrals to local support services, and a dedicated housing officer contact.

• Welcome pack with tenancy information and local services guide
• Basic furniture grant or voucher scheme (varies by borough)
• Referrals to local support services including mental health and employment
• Dedicated housing officer contact for the first months of tenancy
• Discretionary housing payments for those in financial hardship

Where the Gaps Are

Despite these provisions, many residents arrive at an empty property with little more than a set of keys. Furniture grants are often insufficient to furnish a full property, and the process of applying for them can be slow and bureaucratic — leaving vulnerable residents in unfurnished homes for weeks.

For residents moving from temporary accommodation, refuges, or hospital discharge, the gap between receiving keys and having a liveable home can be particularly acute. This is where specialist organisations like Homes We Make CIC step in.

How Homes We Make CIC Bridges the Gap

We work directly with housing associations, local councils, NHS trusts and homelessness charities to furnish properties quickly and with dignity. Our team can turn an empty flat into a fully furnished, welcoming home — often within 24 to 48 hours of receiving a referral.

From beds and sofas to kitchen essentials and soft furnishings, we ensure that every resident has what they need to feel at home from day one. We also handle removals and clearances, making the entire transition smoother for housing officers and residents alike.