Private papers on allocating houses (8)
I believe the answer is:
personal
'private' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'papers on allocating houses' is the wordplay.
'houses' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (part of the clue houses the answer).
'PERSONAL' can be found hidden inside 'papers on allocating'.
(Other definitions for personal that I've seen before include "Offensively intrusive" , "Of private concern" , "Private - (of remarks) offensive" , "Individual; advert (column)" , "Of one individual" .)