Preston
Prioritising Applications
There will be two classes of priority under the scheme.
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Green Band
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Red Band
All applicants will be placed into the green band unless specific priority criteria applies (set out below). If priority criteria does apply than the applicant will be awarded priority status and placed into the red band.
URGENT AND IMMEDIATE HOUSING NEED – PRIORITY GROUP STATUS
Priority and Immediate housing need applications will be registered as Red. All other applications will be registered as Green. Generally applicants will have to be on the scheme to apply for a priority status. Applicants can apply for priority group status by indicating their need within one of the categories below when they register for the Sub Regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme.
Alternatively they can contact each partner organisation, local Housing Advice Services, Neighbourhood Housing Office or Property Shops to discuss their needs with the relevant Officer. Applicants found to be homeless will only receive priority in their own local authority area and not across the whole scheme.
This will include, if they need to move because of:
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Severe disability, recognized social need, medical or welfare grounds
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Domestic violence, harassment and or racial harassment - current tenants will be awarded priority through Housing Management Lets.
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Homelessness and the Local Authority has a duty (determined by Local Authority).
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The applicant is occupying a property owned by a partner landlord and are seeking a move to smaller accommodation.
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Rent (agriculture) Act 1976 cases.
In some of these cases a recommendation of what type of property or where a property should be, may be attached to the priority group status so that any property in which the applicant expresses an interest is appropriate in meeting the individual’s urgent need. See Appendix B Property Specific Criteria.
If applicants are assessed and accepted as experiencing immediate and urgent need they will be given a time-limited priority group. This status will normally be valid for a period of 3 months. During this period applicants will be able to express an interest in any homes advertised where they match the eligibility criteria. The time limit will only be extended in exceptional circumstances and will be at the discretion of the partner organisation.
In the event of more than one priority group holder expressing an interest in the same property, selection will be based on the date on which the priority group status was awarded. In exceptional cases the partner landlords reserves the right to vary this criteria for good housing management reasons.
If applicants are in a priority group and do not actively seek a property within the 3 month time limit they will normally lose priority status, though, provided they are not otherwise ineligible, they can remain in the general scheme.
A restriction for some priority group holders on the type and location of a letting may be made for specific housing management reasons. A restriction may also be made in conjunction with a specific tenancy condition for example accepting a support package.