Key to Choice
Council homes are due to be advertised on Key to Choice again from 4th October 2026
Positive progress is being made on tackling Edinburgh’s housing emergency, according to updates considered by the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee on Tuesday 25 August 2026.
Since the Housing Emergency Action Plan was agreed in 2024, 1,473 affordable homes have been completed by the Council and partners, 1,144 sites started and 866 additional suitable temporary accommodation properties purchased. There has also been a significant reduction in the number of families with children living in unsuitable temporary accommodation. In addition the Ask and Act pilot scheme has been launched in Wester Hailes, which aims to prevent people from becoming homeless at the earliest opportunity by working with partners across the public and third sector.
Members also agreed to end the suspension of the Council’s allocations policy, put in place to prioritise people facing homelessness, following progress in reducing the number of void Council homes alongside an increase in the supply of suitable temporary accommodation. This follows the commitment of the Council to invest £1.6bn in affordable housing.
Efforts to increase suitable temporary accommodation include bringing houses back into use, purchasing properties and commissioning new temporary accommodation.
So far, the suspension of the allocations policy has allowed more than 350 households, including 200 families, to be moved out of unsuitable temporary accommodation and directly into a settled tenancy.
You can read our frequently asked questions on the pause of adverts for further information.
We are unable to respond to individual enquiries about the pause of council home adverts.
How to register for housing
You can register for Council housing and bid for housing association homes on the Key to Choice website.
You need to have applied to EdIndex and registered with Housing Online to bid for homes through Key to Choice.
To register and apply online visit EdIndex housing and click the Key to Choice link.
Step by step guidance and frequently asked questions are available on the website.
Paper application forms are available if you cannot apply for EdIndex online. Bids should be made online but if you are unable to do this and need support, please email the EdIndex Team
and put “Bidding Help” in the subject line.
If you have questions about Key to Choice please email
edindex@edinburgh.gov.uk or chat with us directly using the chat function on www.edindexhousing.co.uk
If you have a question about one of the homes advertised, please contact the landlord directly.