Are Council housing or HA still possible in central London?

[heavenon]

So my earnings have been affected due to Coronavirus and I now depend on benefits which are not even enough to cover my rent only covering 80% of it without bills and food! Im in central London in one of the most popular boroughs and Im scared I will be evicted very soon and be homeless. How big are my chances of getting a council flat or HA in todays climate? How to get the highest priority?

I also know that council flats can be bought when one has lived there for a few years I believe is this the same with Housing Association? Im just thinking for the future here just in case... thanks to all in advance. Getting on the coincil flat you need t contact the council but who would I need to contact for HA flats? I would like to apply for both just to increase my changes.

@heavenon it was in 2018. I have some neighbours who have been recently housed here due to homelessness, so it's still possible today. But it very much depends on your personal circumstances, and who you have advocating for you.

Its incredibly unlikely. In my experience (advising on housing in London around ten years ago) the waiting list for those homeless/at risk/etc is several years- between 2 and 5 usually. You would not fall into that category. Those with a physical disability are also prioritised but there are fewer suitable properties for them, so again wait times of up to 5 years are common. As a single person not in a priority category you would be looking at a wait of 20+ years realistically.

Maybe take a look at flat shares? If they're not affordable then perhaps seriously consider a flat share in a new area where you can get employment. There is more readily available social housing in other major cities that is much more accessible and the requirements are usually only that you earn less than a set amount (eg 20k per year). Cities like Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool. You would need to rent privately before registering for their waiting lists. Good luck

no family links in the UK unfortunately...

This has stood out to me, as I am an immigrant here. Are you? If you don't have indefinite leave to remain (or maybe citizenship, I'm not positive!) you don't have the right to apply for a council house, nor do you have recourse to public funds. I don't bring this up to be mean, I bring this up because if you have any future immigration applications coming up, having taken benefits could result in your having to leave the country and that would be heartbreaking!