How Does The Banding System Work?

Once you have registered you will be asked about your circumstances. If it is highlighted that there is an urgent need for re-housing, your individual Housing needs will be assessed so that you are awarded the correct priority.

If a higher banding is applicable you will be notified of this band along with the length that the award lasts. You will need to re-apply for this award depending on its limit, 3 months, 6 months or 12 months.

Priority
Priority is initially awarded for three months and is only awarded where Home choice Plus, has accepted a homeless duty under part V11 of the Housing Act1996 as amended.

• homeless applicants will be expected to bid for all properties, for which they are eligible.
• homeless applicants will be expected to have made a bid within the first two week.  If they have not made a bid within this time, then bids will be made on their behalf, by Home Choice Plus, on properties for which they are eligible.
• if a suitable offer is refused the homelessness duty may be discharged and the applicant may cease to have a priority status.

Gold Plus-
Awarded for 6 months to applicants who have a local connection and is awarded for the following:

• homeless applicants where there is no statutory duty to rehouse (excluding those who are intentionally homeless).
• households living in properties subject to certain enforcement notices
• households with very high medical need who need to move
• households under the threat of homelessness (through no fault of their own) e.g. notice to quit or repossession.
• applicants who need to move from supported accommodation.
• tenants of a partner Registered Social Landlord, who are living in family homes bigger than they need and wish to move. to smaller housing.

Gold
Awarded for 12 months to applicants who have a local connection and is awarded for the following:

• homeless applicants, who have been determined to have become homeless intentionally.
• households who are suffering from harassment and domestic abuse, who need to move.
• households who are, following a visit by Home Choice Plus, identified as experiencing overcrowding.
• households who are identified as living in exceptional circumstances.
• households with a child(ren) under 10 living in an upstairs flat.

Silver Plus-
Awarded for 6 months to applicants who have no local connection and is awarded for the following:

• homeless applicants where there is no statutory duty to rehouse (excluding those who are intentionally homeless).
• households living in properties subject to certain enforcement notices
• households with very high medical need who need to move
• households under the threat of homelessness (through no fault of their own) e.g. notice to quit or repossession.
• applicants who need to move from supported accommodation.
• tenants of a partner Registered Social Landlord, who are living in family homes bigger than they need and wish to move. to smaller housing.

Silver
Awarded for 12 months to applicants who have no local connection and is awarded for the following:

• homeless applicants, who have been determined to have become homeless intentionally.
• households who are suffering from harassment and domestic abuse, who need to move.
• households who are, following a visit by Home Choice Plus, identified as experiencing overcrowding.
• households who are identified as living in exceptional circumstances.
• households with a child(ren) under 10 living in an upstairs flat.

Bronze Plus
There is no time limit on this banding and it is awarded for the following:

• all applicants who live, work or have a local connection to a particular district of the Home Choice Plus partnership, but who have no housing need

Bronze
There is no time limit on the banding and it is awarded for the following:

• all applicants who have no local connection to any of the district in the Home Choice Plus partnership and have no housing need.

All of the above is only a brief outline of each of the banding criteria and more detailed information is available upon request. Evidence will be collected and checked before households are banded.

Your responsibilities once accepted onto the Home Choice Plus Register

Tell us if there are any changes in your circumstances, these may include:

• A change of address
• Birth of a child
• Medical reasons
• Someone moves into/out of your household

Deliberately Worsening Circumstances

Where there is evidence that an applicant has deliberately worsened their circumstances in order to qualify for higher priority with Home Choice Plus, no additional priority will be given.  Applicants will retain the band they held before worsening thier circumstances.

Examples of deliberately worsening your circumstances would include:

• Selling a property that is affordable and suitable for the applicant’s need
• Moving from an assured tenancy to insecure, overcrowded accommodation with family or friends.
• Where there is evidence that the applicant could have remained in their original accommodation.

Appeals

If you disagree with a decision made on your application to Home Choice Plus you have a right to request a review of that decision.  

You must submit your request within 21 days from the date of the final decision letter.  For further information please contact Wychavon Housing Services on 01386 565020.