Lettings policy – key facts sheet

 Gold Priority /

 Band A

• Applicants who have been accepted by the Local Authority as unintentionally homeless and are owed a Main Housing Duty under Homeless Legislation e.g., applicants who the council has confirmed are homeless through no fault of their own and in need of priority to secure a home.
• Where an existing Homes Plus customer is occupying specialist, adapted accommodation and it is no longer required.
• Where an applicant is awarded urgent medical need, are waiting to be discharged from hospital and their current home is no longer suitable for them to return to.
• Serving members of the British Armed Forces who will be discharged within three months or ex members who have been discharged within the previous 5 years.
• The bereaved spouse or civil partner of those serving in the regular forces has recently ceased or will cease to be entitled to reside in Ministry of Defence accommodation following the death of their spouse or civil partner, and the death was partly or wholly attributable to their service.
• Existing or former members of the reserve forces who are suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is wholly or partly attributable to their service and have a medical need.

• Where the property is subject to a Prohibition Order from the Local Authority Environmental Health department.
• Where an applicant has been awarded high medical priority, defined as:
  • Extreme physical disability requiring care assistance which restricts the customers independence or impedes their ability to live safely making their current property not suitable for their needs.
  • Instances of mobility support within the customers current home making facilities above ground floor inaccessible.
• Where the Local Authority has determined statutory overcrowding in the applicant’s current home.
• Applicants who need to move due to the threat of domestic abuse as determined by an appropriate agency such as the Police, New Era or Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference.
• Victims of crime, in fear or experiencing harassment or threats of violence from outside the home which prevents the individual(s) from remaining in their current property. Supporting evidence will be required.
• Applicants who are considered vulnerable by Social Services or any other appropriate support agency supporting a move due to the customers current housing circumstances being unsuitable which is having a detrimental effect on their way of life. Supporting evidence will be required.
• Customers who already live in a Homes Plus property who are over-crowded by one or more bedrooms (details of this can be found in the eligibility section of this policy).
• Customers who already live in a Homes Plus property who are under-occupying their current property by one or more bedrooms

• Homeless households who have no priority need.
• Medium medical priority awarded where the applicant suffers from incapacity or mobility problems, chronic illness or long-term health condition which either prevents them accessing all facilities within the home, or only reaching them with severe difficulty. For example, but not limited to, disabling arthritis, severe asthma or angina preventing them from climbing the stairs inside the home, or steps outside the home.
• Where the applicant has to share a kitchen, living room, WC and bathroom with other occupants who are not family members.
• Applicants who are not existing Homes Plus customers, who live in properties where there is evidence of overcrowding (details of this can be found in the eligibility section of this policy).
• Customers who already live in a Homes Plus property who currently reside in a 2-bed flat above ground floor with no lift access and two children occupying the second bedroom.
• Where the applicant needs to receive support from or give support to a close family member. Supporting evidence will be required.

Bronze / Band D – The applicants current home meets their needs, but they want to move

• No need to move – None of the priorities above have been identified within the applicant’s housing application.
• The Local Authority has found the applicant Intentionally homeless and are not owed a full homeless duty, further details can be found in the relevant Local Authority Allocations Policy.