The Allocations Policy

The guide below is a simplified summary of the Banding Scheme.  A full copy of the Allocations Polciy can be obtained by contacting the Housing Advice Team.  To be clear about how the Policy applied to your case you should ask the Housing Advice section.

All four partenr Local Authorities in the Oxfordshire Homechoice partenrship will operate the same Banding Scheme

The Banding Scheme

Once accepted as eligible by one of the Councils to join their Housing Register, applicants will be placed in one of the five bands, which have been designed to reflect broad categories of housing need. The Banding scheme enables the Councils and their partner housing associations to meet their legal responsibilities for housing and also provide a fair and easily understood way of selecting applicants to receive offers of accommodation. 

Some applicant’s circumstances may make them eligible to be placed in more than one band.  In this case, they will normally be placed in the highest band for which they are eligible. However, if one of the categories is in Band 5, their Band position will remain as Band 5.

The Priority Bands and Categories

 

Band 1

1.1 Exceptional circumstances

Where there is an immediate risk to health and safety, complex needs, ‘place of safety’ cases or other emergency needs This category is intended to be reserved for only the most urgent cases.The award of Exceptional Circumstances priority will normally be time limited (to 3 or 6 months) and priority will be reviewed at the end of the period. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.

1.2 Under-occupying by two or more bedrooms

Council or  housing association tenants in the sub-region with an assured or secure tenancy, who will be giving up permanent accommodation with at least  two bedrooms more than they require Applicants should check whether they are eligible for any incentive schemes to assist with the cost of removals and associated expenses being operated by their landlord or local council.

1.3 Decants and other housing management moves

Council tenants or tenants of partner housing associations in the sub-region who need to move quickly because refurbishment or repairs are due to be carried out, which cannot be done with the tenant living there and who have been awarded ‘decant’ status in accordance with the protocols of one of the councils. Council and housing association tenants in the sub-region living in properties due for sale or demolition. Awards of this priority will be time limited. Transfer applicants would normally qualify for this status 6 months before they are required to vacate the property. At the end of the six months the district scheme may decide to make a direct offer, if the applicant has not been successful in bidding for a suitable property.  This would not prevent an applicant from registering for a transfer at any time before this and being assessed on their current circumstances. If there is only a need to move temporarily while works are carried out to the tenant’s property, then they will normally be restricted to only being considered for properties within their existing district.

1.4 Successor tenants

These fall into two categories -Legal successors other than spouses or civil partners -Policy successors ie. Applicants who would have been entitled to succeed to the tenancy but for the fact that one succession has taken place already. In both instances priority will be awarded where: they are occupying a property with adaptations for a disabled person which they do not need, or they are occupying a property larger than they would qualify for under the allocation policy, or where occupying the property gives the benefit of facilities and or services for which they would otherwise not qualify. Legal successors will qualify as transfer applicants and policy successors will be classified as general applicants for the purposes of the allocations policy.

1.5 Prohibition/demolition notices

Households where a statutory notice of prohibition or demolition has been issued by the Environmental Health department and it is not possible to remedy the defects in a reasonable time.

1.6 Statutory overcrowding

Households where the level of overcrowding exceeds the statutory limit.

Band 2

2.1 Urgent social or welfare needs

Applicants assessed as having an urgent need to move on social or welfare grounds. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.Includes: serious harassment cases multiple needs not already covered by other band categories applicants who need to move to give or receive care or support

2.2 Urgent health or disability needs

Applicants assessed as having an urgent need to move because of a  health problem or disability. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.

2.3 Under-occupation by one bedroom

Council or  housing association tenants in the sub-region with an assured or secure tenancy, who will be giving up permanent general needs accommodation with one bedroom more than they require.

2.4 Move-on

Applicants who have been assessed as ready to move on from supported accommodation, including: applicants from voluntary sector hostels, foyers and supported lodgings Care leavers: applicants who are former ”relevant children” as defined by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2002. Applicants will be awarded this band category in accordance with the protocols of one of the councils, when the council is satisfied that the applicant is ready to move to secure independent housing and that ongoing support will be in place where this is needed to sustain the tenancy. Quota arrangements may be used to ensure a minimum supply of vacancies suitable for those ready to move on from supported housing.

2.5 Priority homeless

Applicants found to be homeless, in a priority need group and where a duty to offer housing has been accepted by one of the district councils under sections 193 or 195 of Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

2.6 Overcrowding by 2 or more bedrooms short

Families assessed as being two or more bedrooms short of their needs.

2.7 Band 3 upgrade

Any applicant who qualifies for two or more compoundable categories in Band 3.

Band 3

3.1 Significant social or welfare needs

Applicants assessed as having a significant level of social or welfare need arising from their housing situation. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.

3.2 Significant health or disability needs

Applicants assessed as having a significant level of housing need as a result of health problems or a disability. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.

3.3 Unsatisfactory housing: Level 1

Applicants living in sub-standard accommodation that a qualified officer has assessed as a category 1 hazard, where repair is not possible or it is not practical in a reasonable timescale. Applicants living in homes lacking the use of one or more of the following: A kitchen, a bathroom, an inside WC, running water, electricity. Applicants whose existing housing is of a low standard will have their need assessed against the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (known as HHSRS). In the most urgent cases, or where an inspection is needed, the assessment will be carried out by an Environmental Health Officer or other qualified officer. A Category 1 Hazard is a defect where the consequences could include serious harm to applicants. For example: accommodation lacking any bathroom facilities, cooking facilities, or a water supply. The band category will not be awarded, if it is possible for repairs or other remedial action to be carried out within a reasonable timescale. Where a landlord has been served with an improvement notice but remedial work has not been carried out, the district scheme may decide to award priority at its discretion.

3.4 Overcrowding by one bedroom short

Families assessed as being one bedroom short of their needs

3.5 Insecure tied accommodation

Applicants who are living in accommodation tied to their employment and who have received a  formal notice to quit from their employer and where the loss of employment is through no fault of the applicant. This category includes members of the armed forces in married quarters and agricultural workers Priority category will only be given where there is clear documentary evidence that the employer is terminating the employment and the use of the accommodation in the near future. There is new government guidance (August 2008) for local councils on registering the housing needs of those being discharged from the armed forces. Applicants will be considered as having a connection to a district where their employment is based. In order to be given priority for Insecure Accommodation there must be less than twelve months to the date of discharge.

3.6 Insecure private rented accommodation

Tenants of private landlords where the landlord is taking action to recover possession of the property and has demonstrated a real intention to proceed to eviction. Before priority for Insecure Accommodation can be given documentary evidence of the date of eviction will be needed by the district scheme, depending on the type of tenancy or licence held.  The landlord must have shown a real intention to proceed with an eviction. Evidence of a Court Order for Possession may be required.

3.7 Homeless and not in a priority group *

Applicants who have No Fixed Abode (NFA) or who are given a Non-Priority Homeless decision. *This category is not compoundable This category is given where a formal assessment has been carried out under the homelessness legislation and the applicant is found to be homeless but not in a defined priority group. The category will also be given without a formal assessment, where it is clear that the applicant has No Fixed Abode. This includes those living in projects providing temporary accommodation for single homeless people. This category does not include applicants who have been assisted to access the private rented sector through a rent deposit scheme. This category is not compoundable with other factors. Those who are homeless and have other priority needs will be assessed in accordance with the Homelessness legislation and, if they qualify, will be given a band 2 priority.

3.8 Band 4 upgrade

Any applicant who qualifies for at least two categories in Band 4.

Band 4

4.1 Moderate social or welfare needs

Applicants assessed as having a moderate level of social or welfare need arising from their housing situation. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.

4.2 Moderate health or disability needs

Applicants assessed as having a moderate level of housing need as a result of health problems or a disability. Awarded in accordance with the allocations policy and protocols of the district scheme registering the applicant.

4.3 Unsatisfactory housing: Level 2

Applicants living in sub-standard accommodation that is deemed to have a category 2 hazard and where repair is not possible or it is not practical in a reasonable timescale. A category 2 hazard can include minor defects such as persistent damp and condensation problems or the lack of a fixed heating system. The band category will not be awarded, if it is possible for repairs or other remedial action to be carried out within a reasonable timescale. Where a landlord has been served with an improvement notice but remedial work has not been carried out, the district scheme may decide to award priority at its discretion.

Band 5

5.1 Adequately housed

Applicants who are adequately housed Applicants with no immediate need for rehousing Applicants sharing where the accommodation is of sufficient quality and there is no overcrowding Applicants who do not qualify under any other category or who have been temporarily allocated to Band 5 pending investigation of their circumstances. This category includes applicants who may have a low level of housing need but where the circumstances do not give rise to any exceptional problems. This includes: formal and informal house-sharing arrangements where the size and standard of the accommodation is adequate for the needs of those living there those living with family or friends where the size and standard of the accommodation is adequate for the needs of those living there families living in flats where the internal accommodation is adequate for the family’s needs but where there is no private garden.

5.2 Sufficient financial resources

Applicants who have sufficient income or other financial resources to buy or rent private sector housing

5.3 Nil priority

Applicants who are the subject of sanctions because of their behaviour Applicants may be awarded nil priority because there is evidence of anti-social behaviour and in accordance with the protocols of the council scheme they are  given lower priority than other households on the housing register.