Social housing -how to apply

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How does the system work in England for social housing please? I'm a single parent and currently privately renting. I've no deposit for a house and rely on benefits as I'm a full-time carer for a family member. Thank you.

Try your council's website, it should have details of how to apply.

It will.be different in every LA ,you need to.contact yours and find out how ir works
In my LA there is no.council.housing anymore its,all.housing association ,the biggest housing association bought all.the council houses ,you join a list and when your receive your ID,number you can bid on houses ,there is one register
for all.housing association houses available.
but that's just my LA.

Has your private tenancy ended or you want to leave it for affordability or other reasons? Makes a difference to the advice but yes it is LA dependent

Thank you.
Affordability really is the main reason and of course security.

How does bidding work? I've had a brief look so far and it says you bid on properties but how do you bid with no money? Totally confused.

From where I’m from in East London you most likely wouldn’t stand a chance as if you are private renting already they won’t consider you for social housing. Each LA is very different but most are already full and waiting lists are long.

if you only need a one bed property you may stand more of a chance but anything over that the wait may be years. I know families of 3/4 people who are in one bedroom properties who have been on the list 5+ years

Bidding doesn't refer to money like an auction. It just means you say yes please if something appears you'd like.

Where I am you would be very unlikely to even be accepted to the register as you are not unintentionally homeless. Even if you were you would be very very very low down on the priority list and the wait for the highest priorities is 5 years +.

This is the reality of social housing in the UK.

You have to look at how it works in your area. Everywhere is different in joining the list and how they work it.