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HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
5.0
INTRODUCTION
5.1
RELEVANT APPLICANT DEFINITION
5.2
DEPARTURE FROM GENERAL RULE: RULE 48
5.3
CHOICE: RULES 52-55
5.3.1
COMMON LANDLORD AREA CHOICE: RULE 52
5.3.2
ESTATE/PROJECT CHOICE: RULE 53
5.3.3
CHOICE OF GENERAL HOUSING AREA: RULE 54
5.3.4
GENERAL HOUSING AREAS – IMPOSITION: RULE 55
5.4
RESTRICTION OF CHOICE
5.5
APPLICANTS WITH INTIMIDATION POINTS: RULE 61
5.6
APPLICANTS CONVICTED OR CHARGED WITH THE SEXUAL
ABUSE OF CHILDREN: RULE 62
5.6.1
RELEVANT OFFENCE: RULE 63
5.6.2
OFFERS OF ACCOMMODATION:RULE 64
5.6.3
THE APPLICANT’S AREA OF CHOICE
5.6.4
UNSUITABLE ACCOMMODATION: RULE 65
5.6.5
EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL RULE
5.6.6
SUBSEQUENT ACQUITTAL
5.6.7
SHARING OF INFORMATION
5.7
OFFERS OF ACCOMMODATION
5.7.1
OFFERS TO 16/17 YEAR OLD APPLICANTS
5.7.2
ALLOCATIONS TO STAFF AND RELATIVES (HOUSING
ASSOCIATIONS)
5.7.3
PRE-ALLOCATIONS
5.7.4
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF OFFERS: RULE 56
5.7.5
REASONABLENESS OF OFFERS: RULE 57
5.7.6
SIZE OF ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
5.7.7
APPLICANTS’ PREFERENCES AND NEEDS: RULE 58
5.7.8
REASONABLENESS OF OFFERS AND APPLICANT PREFERENCE:
RULE 60
5.8
REFUSAL OF OFFERS: RULE 59
5.8.1
REFUSAL OF OFFERS – DEFERRAL
5.8.2
LIFTING OF DEFERRAL
5.8.3
DEFERRAL PERIOD – NEW APPLICATIONS
5.8.4
DEFERRAL: FDAs/OTHER HOMELESS
5.9
DIFFICULT TO LET PROPERTIES: RULE 68
5.9.1
MULTIPLE OFFERS: RULE 69
5.10
DESIGNATED LETTINGS POLICY: RULE 70A
5.10.1
DESIGNATION OF FLATS – IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
ARRANGEMENTS
5.11
AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT/BOARD: RULE 84
5.12
APPLICANTS LOSING TIED ACCOMMODATION
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CHAPTER 5 RULES GOVERNING ALLOCATIONS: RULES 46 – 84
5.0
INTRODUCTION
This chapter outlines guidance in relation to Choice, Restriction of Choice,
Offers and Difficult to Let Properties. Guidance in relation to
Disqualification, Transfers, Succession, Assignment and the Creation of
Joint tenancies are outlined in other chapters. All Applicants will be
assessed and placed on a Waiting List that is used by all Participating
Landlords. As a general rule each dwelling will be offered to the relevant
Applicant with the highest points.
5.1
RELEVANT APPLICANT DEFINITION
An Applicant is a “relevant Applicant” if:
1)
He / she has applied for, or is deemed to have applied for
accommodation with the locational and other characteristics of the
dwelling in question, and
2)
The Landlord is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that the non-
locational characteristics of the dwelling meet the Applicant’s needs
and, having regard to all the circumstances, do not substantially
surpass those needs.
5.2
DEPARTURE FROM GENERAL RULE: RULE 48
Designated Officers have the authority to depart from the general rule only
in the following exceptional circumstances:
Consideration must be given to the special and specific needs of the
Applicant in order to determine whether their particular requirements
would merit a departure from the Waiting List in relation to the particular
characteristics and amenities of the property to be offered.
A deviation under Rule 48 can be justified only if those Applicants higher
up the Waiting List, including those with an earlier date of application, do
not have similar specific needs for the particular accommodation or
location to that of the Applicant being considered.
Factors which must be taken into account when applying Rule 48 are:
(a).
Profile of Waiting List
Designated Officers should consider the number of Applicants on the
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Waiting List for the particular type of accommodation in that area. An
analysis of those Applicants should be carried out to determine their
specific needs in order to balance their needs against the Applicant
in question.
(b).
Turnover
Designated Officers should consider the turnover of that particular
type of accommodation in that area. Consideration should be given
as to whether, with the Applicant’s level of assessed need and, given
their position on the Waiting List, they would be offered
accommodation to meet their specific requirements within a
reasonable period of time. This would involve looking back at the
number of past allocations of that type of accommodation over a
reasonable period of time in that specific location.
(c).
The Applicant’s Specific needs
Designated Officers should consider the particular needs of the
Applicant in question in order to determine whether, given the nature
and intensity of their housing need, such an allocation is highly
desirable to meet their special and specific requirements. For
example, the Applicant’s specific needs may be more acute if they
have a terminal illness, or if they have a degenerative illness which
will impact on their housing need.
(d).
The characteristics or location of the property to be allocated
The facilities and amenities and / or the particular location of the
dwelling must be highly desirable to match the special and specific
needs of the Applicant in question. Examples would include ground
floor accommodation, the location in relation to carer / essential
facilities, specific adaptations, mobility standard accommodation.
Allocations under Rule 48 may also take place where:
(a). The Applicant’s need for that particular type of dwelling has been
identified during the process for determining the housing mix of a
New build Scheme. Designated Officers should ensure that
administrative arrangements are put in place to maintain a record of
such Applicants; or
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(b). A property has been specifically identified for purchase by the
Landlord to accommodate the specific needs of an Applicant.
[Consideration may only be given to this option where:
i.
There is no suitable accommodation available or likely to
become available which is already in the Landlord’s ownership
and which could meet the needs of the household concerned;
and
ii.
The accommodation requirement is a long term one, in that the
allocation is not intended as a temporary arrangement pending
further decanting.
Detailed guidance on the procedures to be used for Housing
Executive staff is in HRAN 22/04 – Special Acquisition of
Dwellings.
Housing Executive staff must notify all such departures from the General
Rule in writing within three months to Client Services using the pro forma
provided in Appendix 5.4. Client Services will compile a report on such
departures for the Housing Executive Board. Housing Associations are
required to notify the Director of Housing, Department of Social
Development of all such departures within three months.
5.3
CHOICE: RULES 52-54
Within the HMS, there are three distinct levels of Areas of Choice, Estate /
Project, Common Landlord Area and general Housing Area. Each of
these is defined below:
Estate/Project
An Estate / Project is a scheme or group of properties in an area,
belonging to one of the Participating Landlords, for which an Estate Code
has been created. All Estates / Projects will be contained within a specific
Common Landlord Area.
Common Landlord Areas (CLA)
A Common Landlord Area is a designated geographical area which may
include a number of Estates / Projects belonging to any of the Participating
Landlords. Each District’s CLAs are listed in the Common Landlord Area
Guide.
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General Housing Areas (GHAs)
A General Housing Area is a wider geographical area consisting of a
number of Common Landlord Areas grouped together, which it is agreed
form part of a natural area. An Applicant’s 1st CLA of Preference is known
as their Real CLA and those included by applying the GHA are known as
the Associated CLAs. CLAs within a GHA need not be adjoining and may
cross District boundaries. Each District’s GHAs are listed in the General
Housing Area Guide.
General Housing
Common Landlord
Area (CLA)
Estate /
5.3.1 COMMON LANDLORD ARE
P A
r
o C
j HO
ect ICE: RULE 52
Where the Applicant has the right, he / she will be allowed to choose
two areas in which to be re-housed.
All Applicants will be required to identify at least one, and at most two,
Common Landlord Areas in which they would like to be re-housed. The
only exceptions to this Rule are where an Applicant has requested a
General Housing Area, or has had a General Housing Area imposed on
them (see Rules 54 and 55), or where the Applicant is a Complex Needs
Applicant (see Chapter 4).
Certain Applicants may have restrictions placed on their areas of choice,
for example, where the Applicant has been intimidated from a particular
area or those Applicants who have been charged or convicted with the
sexual abuse of children.
Change of Preference – Common Landlord Areas
Applicants may change their preferred Common Landlord Areas, but they
must do so in writing. When a change of CLA has been made it may be
necessary to discuss, with the Applicant, the Estates / Projects which are
contained within their new CLAs in order to identify Estates / Projects
which are not suitable / desirable. Amendments can only be keyed by the
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Office of Origin (as a general rule this will be the NIHE
Local Office in the
case of Applicants, and the Landlord of the tenant in the case of
Transfers).
5.3.2 ESTATE / PROJECT CHOICE: RULE 53
An Applicant will be considered for all properties of all Landlords
within their Common Landlord Area of choice unless there are
exceptional circumstances.
If more than one Estate / Project exists within an Applicant’s CLA of
choice, it is vital that an Assessing Officer informs the Applicant of all the
Social Rented accommodation available in that area.
Applicants should also be advised that, as a general rule they will be
placed on the Waiting List at CLA level for their area of choice. It will only
be in very exceptional circumstances with SHO approval that an
application will be considered at landlord/scheme level. This information
should be clearly marked on the Visit Report to enable Keying Officers to
exclude unselected Estates / Projects / Landlords.
It is important that the Applicant is aware of the variety of accommodation
available within the Common Landlord Area(s) of their choice. This is to
ensure there is suitable accommodation to meet their needs.
Designated Officers of Participating Landlords should act as independent
advisors, assessing the needs of an Applicant impartially, and providing
unbiased information on
all of the Participating Landlords accommodation
existing within their chosen CLAs.
5.3.3 CHOICE OF GENERAL HOUSING AREA: RULE 54
An Applicant may also choose to be considered for a General
Housing Area as an area of choice.
In order to maximise choice, all Applicants should be advised to consider
the General Housing Area (G.H.A.) surrounding their Real CLA
preference(s). Designated Officers should ensure that this facility is
explained to all Applicants / transfers.
Where a GHA is to be applied at an Applicant’s request, it will be
necessary for the Designated Officer to advise the Applicant of all the
CLAs contained in the appropriate GHA, and clearly identify any Estates /
Projects within each CLA which are to be excluded.
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In relation to Sheltered schemes – When an applicant has expressed an
interest in Sheltered and general needs accommodation, this should be
recorded in the circumstances table under special requirements of the
assessment form and keyed onto HMS. This will facilitate a landlord to
filter for such applicants.
Change of Preference – General Housing Areas
Where an Applicant has requested the GHA to be applied and
subsequently changes their CLA of Preference to one which is not
contained in the current GHA, it will be necessary to discuss with them the
new CLAs and Estates / Projects contained in the new GHA. This will be
important in order to identify any CLAs and / or Estates / Projects, within
the new GHA, which they would like to be excluded. It is necessary to
obtain this information in writing from the Applicant. This Change of
Preference information should be clearly identified for keying purposes.
5.3.4 GENERAL HOUSING AREAS – IMPOSITION: RULE 55
An Applicant who has been awarded Homeless / Threatened With
Homelessness – Full Duty Applicant points and has not been
allocated accommodation on a permanent basis after six months, will
be considered for accommodation in a wider area which includes
one or both of his / her areas of choice. This will be known as a
General Housing Area (G.H.A.) - Rule 55.
This widening of choice will be applied automatically by HMS and a letter
generated All such Applicants will therefore be placed on the Waiting List
for all estates / projects within that GHA and advised accordingly.
NB - Please Note due to a technical issue on HMS in relation to producing
this letter, an incident has been raised with Orchard in February 2014.
This is currently being investigated and when resolved this guidance will
be updated.
Applicants are advised in the renewal letter that the GHA may be applied
and also details relevant GHA codes as appropriate. Applicants should
have been advised during their homeless assessment of the GHA being
imposed, if they have not been rehoused at that stage.
It is important to note there is a maximum of 10 exceptions permitted in
HMS.
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It would be good practice to attach a list of all the CLA’s that are included
within the GHA.
Change of Preference
Where a GHA has been imposed on a Full Duty Applicant, and they
subsequently change their Real CLA(s), it may be necessary to review the
case to determine the suitable Estates / Projects in the new CLAs
contained in any new GHAs generated (if applicable). Any excluded
Estates / Projects or CLAs within the new GHA(s) should be clearly
identified for keying purposes.
5.4
RESTRICTION OF CHOICE
Landlords may restrict the Area of Choice of an Applicant in the following
circumstances:
5.5
APPLICANTS WITH INTIMIDATION POINTS: RULE 61
Where an Applicant has been awarded Intimidation points, the Designated
Officer may restrict offers of accommodation to areas where they consider
the Applicant would not be at immediate risk.
Alternatively, an Applicant may not qualify for Intimidation points but may
qualify for points under Primary Social Needs Factors (1 – 3) due to
experiencing violence or fear of violence, or experiencing harassment with
fear of actual violence, for whatever reason. Such Applicants must be
considered under the Homeless Legislation. Allocating Designated
Officers should exercise discretion in determining whether or not it is
reasonable for the Applicant to remain in his / her accommodation, and
may restrict offers of accommodation to areas where the Applicant would
not continue to be at risk.
5.6
APPLICANTS CONVICTED OR CHARGED WITH THE SEXUAL ABUSE
OF CHILDREN: RULE 62
Restrictions at
permanent housing stage apply (as a general rule) to the
following:
1)
Any Applicant who has received a custodial sentence or a
suspended custodial sentence in respect of “a relevant offence”, as
defined below.
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2)
Any Applicant who has been charged with “a relevant offence” which
could attract a custodial sentence.
5.6.1 RELEVANT OFFENCE: RULE 63
In the present context “a relevant offence” means any of the following
offences:-
1)
Sexual offences against children which are listed in Schedule 1 of
the Children and Young Persons Act (N.I.) 1968.
2)
Sexual offences against children which are listed in Schedule 1 of
the Sex Offenders Act (N.I.) 1997.
3)
Offences relating to indecent photographs of children which are listed
in Schedule 1 of the Sex Offenders (N.I.) Act 1997.
4)
Offences under the law of some jurisdictions outside Northern Ireland
which, in the opinion of the Designated Officer, are similar in nature
and seriousness to any of the offences listed at a) to c) above.
NOTE: “Conviction” does not include any conviction that is a “spent”
conviction for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders legislation.
“Custodial sentence” includes a suspended custodial sentence.
Designated Officers must satisfy themselves that the offence falls within
the “relevant offences” listed. If there is any doubt, Designated Officers
are advised to seek Legal advice.
Individual case circumstances will vary. In many cases, however, Social
Services or the Probation Board, who will be in contact with the Housing
Executive or Housing Association, will know the Applicant.
5.6.2 OFFERS OF ACCOMMODATION: RULE 64
The restrictions as outlined aim to strike a balance between promoting and
preserving the peace of mind of parents, children and young families on
one hand, while ensuring that we will be able to continue to offer suitable
temporary and / or permanent accommodation to those who are entitled to
it.
(a).
Permanent Housing
Regardless of his / her place on the Waiting List, and regardless of
his / her housing choices, an Applicant who is subject to restrictions
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at permanent housing stage should only be offered accommodation
within the stock of any Participating Landlord which satisfies all of the
following criteria:
i.
It is accommodation which, in the opinion of the Designated
Officer, is predominantly let to tenants who do not have children
within their households.
ii.
It is physically separate from accommodation which, in the
opinion of the Designated Officer, is let predominantly to people
who do have children within their households.
iii.
Where applicable, the Applicant would not be in breach of the
terms of his / her licence or Probation Order by accepting that
accommodation.
iv.
It is not, in the opinion of the Designated Manager or his / her
nominee, “unsuitable” accommodation as defined in Rule 65.
Accommodation that satisfies the criteria set out above can conveniently
be described as “adult” accommodation. Older people’s dwellings and, in
many Local Offices, blocks of flats, are likely to satisfy those criteria. As a
general rule, a “permanent” restricted Applicant should not be housed in
any accommodation other than “adult” accommodation.
Each Housing Services Manager should identify all the Housing Executive
accommodation within the Local Office area that satisfies the criteria
above. The Local Office’s list should be agreed with the Regional
Manager. Local
Office’s should, in co-operation with the local Housing
Association Office, identify the Housing Association accommodation within
the local office area, which, if it was Housing Executive accommodation,
could be classified as “adult”.
If the “adult” Housing Executive accommodation in any Local Office
constitutes less than 5% of all the individual lettings which the Housing
Services Manager
expects to be made in the coming year, there should be
further discussion between the Local Office, the Regional Office and the
Housing Centre.
It may be helpful for Local Services Manager to take advice from other
agencies, principally Social Services, prior to finalising their proposed list
of Housing Executive and Housing Association accommodation for those
with restricted choices. In this way, the relevance and proximity of
schools, community and recreational facilities can be taken into account.
The Housing Executive should inform Social Services of the areas of
choice (updated as necessary from time to time) chosen by all those who
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are subject to permanent housing restrictions. Social Services, the
Probation Board and the Police should be informed of accommodation that
is
deemed to be unsuitable. They should inform the Executive if, but
only if, they consider that there is good reason to believe that th
e Rule 65
criteria are relevant to a particular Applicant in respect of any of his areas
of choice.
In the above circumstances the following message should be recorded on
the Person
UDC - (User Defined Characteristic) “Check Person Notes–
Contact - SHO Rule 62 Relevant Offence”
(b).
Temporary Accommodation
Under the Housing Order 1988, the Housing Executive temporarily
houses Applicants in any of the following circumstances:
i.
Pending a final Housing Executive decision under the
Homelessness legislation in respect of an Applicant who may
be homeless and has a Priority Need.
ii.
Where the Housing Executive accepts that it owes the Full
homelessness duty towards the Applicant, it will continue to
house the Applicant in temporary accommodation until an offer
of permanent accommodation can be made.
Restrictions are imposed at the temporary housing stage in relation
to:
(a) Anybody who has been convicted of a relevant offence,
regardless of whether or not a custodial sentence was served.
(b) Any such Applicant who is currently facing charges in respect of
any relevant offence (again regardless of whether or not such
an offence if proven would attract a custodial sentence).
(c) Any Applicant who is suspected by Social Services (in light of a
Child Protection Case Conference or Risk Assessment
Meeting) of currently posing a risk, in terms of sexual abuse, to
any child or children generally.
(c).
Distinction between Permanent and Temporary Restrictees
NOTE: In terms of temporary accommodation placement, the
restriction policy also applies to individuals who were neither
convicted nor charged with an offence, but whom Social Services
consider a serious risk. The distinction between permanent and
temporary Restrictees is merited for the following reasons:
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Restriction of choice in the offer of permanent re-housing is a
significant withdrawal of a human right as compared to a
temporary placement in accommodation.
The nature of temporary accommodation and the type of
families to be found in hostels suggest that it would be prudent
to adopt this approach.
(d).
Offers of Temporary Accommodation
As a general rule “temporary Restrictees” should not be offered
temporary accommodation:
In any bed and breakfast establishment or guesthouse which is
also used for housing families.
In any hostel used for housing families.
The above does not prohibit the use of hotels.
Designated Officers will still be permitted to place an Applicant in a
hotel (as a last resort until cheaper suitable accommodation can be
accessed). Designated Officers are obliged, however, to advise the
Hotel Manager that the person being placed is currently charged or
has received a custodial sentence in respect of a relevant offence.
Information shared with Hotel Managers should be on a “need to
know” basis and restricted to what the Designated Officer feels is
appropriate to divulge regarding the background of a particular
Applicant.
The Applicant should be advised that the Hotel will be made aware of
his / her background.
In each Area, a detailed needs analysis should be carried out in
order to assess the Housing Executive’s requirements for temporary
accommodation for such Applicants.
Each Area should aim to meet all its own needs for the temporary
accommodation of such Applicants within three years. The
temporary accommodation strategy of each Area should be designed
to achieve that aim.
Each Area should draw up a comprehensive list of all the temporary
accommodation available for such Applicants within the Area.
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5.6.3 THE APPLICANT’S AREA OF CHOICE
Applicants who are “temporary” Restrictees, but who will not be
“permanent” Restrictees, should be advised by the Housing Executive
Local Office in relation to their permanent housing choices. In particular,
unless there are exceptional circumstances, they should be advised to
voluntarily narrow their choices, with a view to avoiding locations in which
young families predominate.
In practice, many such Applicants are only too willing to avoid family
accommodation, either because they are concerned for their own safety or
because of a genuine wish to avoid re-offending. Accordingly, the
Housing Executive’s advice in this connection will not necessarily be
unwelcome. In any event, the advice should be given in a non-
confrontational manner, and the Applicant’s perspective should be taken
fully into account.
If such an Applicant, however, is determined to act contrary to advice, he
should be advised that:
1.
The Housing Executive might regard him as having made himself
intentionally homeless;
2.
The Housing Executive would not award him Intimidation Points
should he subsequently be intimidated from a dwelling in a location
in which he insists on being housed.
Nevertheless an Applicant would not be under any direct compulsion to
accept the advice. He / she would be entitled to the offer of a particular
dwelling and should be offered that dwelling if the rules of the Selection
Scheme entitled him to such an award, even if the Housing Executive had
advised the Applicant not to seek housing in the location in which the
dwelling was situated.
The legal requirements in relation to suitability of temporary
accommodation under the homelessness legislation are described below:
(a).
Suitability
Accommodation provided to the Applicant must be reasonably
suitable. Suitability refers primarily to matters of space and internal
arrangements. It can, however, also relate to location. What is
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reasonably suitable for a particular Applicant depends on a number
of factors. One of those factors is the length of time which the
Applicant will be expected to occupy the accommodation.
Accommodation that might fail the test of suitability because of its
location, if it were being offered to the Applicant on a permanent
basis, may well satisfy the test of suitability of location if it is being
offered only on a temporary basis.
(b).
Location
Location may be relevant in relation to questions of suitability
because of issues such as nearness to an Applicant’s work or
nearness to people who can provide him with family support.
Each Area should draw up a comprehensive list of all the temporary
accommodation available for the housing of people who are
suspected or convicted of the sexual abuse of children.
Note that such accommodations need not, at the time of considering
an allocation, meet the children / families criteria. It is the
“predominantly let” aspect of the criteria that is important.
5.6.4 UNSUITABLE ACCOMMODATION: RULE 65
“Unsuitable” accommodation is accommodation which complies with sub-
paragraphs 1) to 3) of Rule 64, but is unsuitable for a particular Applicant
because of exceptional circumstances of one or more of the following
kinds:
1)
The specific location of the particular accommodation.
2)
The specific circumstances of that Applicant.
3)
Detailed written advice received from the Probation Board, to the
effect that, by housing the Applicant in that particular estate, an
exceptional risk would be created. Consideration of the
circumstances of someone already living at that location (the most
obvious being proximity of a victim or a relative of the victim) must be
taken into account.
Exceptionally, accommodation which satisfies the criteria set out in Rule
64 may not be suitable for a particular Applicant because of the specific
location of the particular accommodation, or because of the specific
circumstances of that Applicant.
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In determining the suitability of permanent accommodation, especially as
regards location, due account has to be taken of the fact that the Applicant
will, potentially at least, be there permanently as distinct from being there
only for a relatively short period.
In such circumstances that accommodation need not be allocated to a
relevant Applicant if the prior written approval of the Housing Executive’s
Regional Manager has been received in respect of that course of action. It
is suggested that the Regional Manager’s power of approval in this context
should be sparingly exercised. It is important, however, that the stock
available for the housing of people subject to permanent housing
restrictions should not be reduced disproportionately.
5.6.5 EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL RULE
“The general rule” referred to in Rule 62 shall be subject to exceptions if
the Landlord, in the light of representations made by or on behalf of any
affected Applicant, is satisfied that because of that Applicant’s exceptional
circumstances, the restriction at permanent housing stage should not
apply to that Applicant, on that occasion.
5.6.6 SUBSEQUENT ACQUITTAL
Where an Applicant is subject to restriction at permanent housing stage
due to pending criminal charges, every effort must be made to ensure that
the Applicant, if acquitted, will not suffer any permanent housing detriment
as a result of the restriction of choice.
The implication of the “no detriment” proviso is that, in the event of an
acquittal, an Applicant would have to be considered for a transfer.
Alternatively the Applicant would have to remain in temporary housing
pending the outcome of the proceedings, an outcome which might be
months or years away.
5.6.7 SHARING OF INFORMATION
Sharing of information is crucial in dealing with such cases and it is
therefore imperative that relevant information is shared between Local
Offices
to enable the policies to be applied. Health and Social Services
have also endorsed the proposals consulted upon, as have the Police, and
mutual sharing of information between the Housing Executive and these
agencies should also be forthcoming. It is important to remember,
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however, that the Housing Executive must arrive at the appropriate re-
housing decision based on the policies outlined.
The Housing Executive should share information with Social Services and
with the Probation Board whenever law permits the disclosure of such
information, and to the fullest extent allowed by law. The task of risk
assessment is an important task. It is not, however, a function of the
Housing Executive. Accordingly, Housing Executive Designated Officers
should not participate in decision-making or discussion in the course of
risk assessments carried out by one or more of the bodies who do have
functions in that connection. In response to requests from any such
bodies, the Housing Executive should, however, be willing to provide any
information which can lawfully be provided in order to facilitate them in
carrying out their task.
Comprehensive protocols must be agreed between the Housing Executive
and Social Services and between the Housing Executive and the
Probation Board.
Voluntary organisations should also be advised in any instance where a
“restricted” Applicant is being offered / placed in their accommodation.
Similarly, voluntary organisations should share relevant information with
the Housing Executive when we are considering re-housing of such
Applicants.
Whenever a relevant incident involving an Applicant becomes a
controversial issue in the media, the Information Department of the
Housing Executive will deal with the matter.
It is not appropriate that the Housing Executive informs tenants when such
Applicants are allocated accommodation in a neighbouring area. Social
Services are the agency with the primary responsibility for child-protection.
They will inform individuals where they consider there is to be a need to do
so.
Private sector establishments should be advised when an Applicant being
placed falls within the category outlined. Inevitably, this may result in them
refusing to accept the Applicant but the need to inform them appropriately
is seen as over-riding.
It is quite possible that such Applicants may be considered for Housing
Association accommodation within the general Housing Area containing
their area of choice. Again such accommodation would have to meet the
criteria outlined and liaison should occur with Housing Association
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providers regarding this. A view has been expressed by some Housing
Associations that although sheltered accommodation might well fit the
criteria outlined, it is not considered suitable by virtue of young families /
grandchildren visiting such complexes on a regular basis. Ultimately this
decision rests with the Landlord in question, but in any event effective
liaison should occur when dealing with a specific Applicant and the
Association must be fully informed of the circumstances.
5.7
OFFERS OF ACCOMMODATION
All Designated Officers are responsible for ensuring that every Applicant
who receives an offer of accommodation has been selected in accordance
with the rules of the Selection Scheme and that there is no higher pointed
relevant Applicant on the Waiting List at the time the offer is made, (see
also Allocations to Transfers, Chapter
7 paragraph 7.11). Allocations should only be made from HMS
Waiting List. – Designated
Officers should make offers from a Match List on HMS, whilst an offer is
outstanding the applicant’s name will not appear on a subsequent Match
List.
Subject to the property satisfying the specific location characteristics (in
terms of e.g. work, schools, proximity to essential support), its size and
features, it should be allocated to the person on the Waiting List with the
highest points. Any Offer / Allocation made outside the strict order of the
General rule should be clearly marked on the Applicant / transfer file.
Where practical, offers should be delivered
by hand or, alternatively, sent
to the prospective Applicant by
first class post. In addition when an offer is
made the local office should follow up the offer by sms texting, e-mailing or
telephoning
When making offers to prospective tenants it is important to reduce the
period given to consider the offer to a minimum, thus reducing the risk of
illegal occupation or of any rental loss. Normally the Applicant should be
allowed 2 / 3 working days to respond to the offer. Where the Applicant
does not contact the office within the time allowed the offer should be
deemed to be refused and keyed on HMS as “no reply to offer “and the
dwelling offered to another Applicant on the Waiting List.
Before making offers a check should be made on the number of
reasonable offers which have been made to date to make sure that the
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correct offer letter is issued. This is particularly important where a case is
at the third offer stage and a refusal may result in deferral.
It is important to notify Area Housing Support Officers when Complex
Needs Cases are being offered accommodation.
5.7.1 OFFERS TO 16 / 17 YEAR OLD APPLICANTS
When making an offer of accommodation belonging to one of the
Participating Landlords to a 16 / 17 year old Applicant, the Applicant must
be advised that a Guarantor will be necessary.
Where a 16 / 17 year old cannot or will not get a Guarantor, then he / she
should not be granted a tenancy as there would be no way of enforcing
the tenancy conditions.
If a tenant who is 16 / 17 years wishes to transfer and is offered
accommodation prior to their 18th birthday, then it would be necessary to
have a new guarantee form signed for the new address.
Guarantors
A Guarantor must be over 18 years and must sign a guarantee that he /
she will ensure that the 16 / 17 year old meets the requirements of the
tenancy agreement. The Guarantor can be held liable for all breaches and
obligations under the Participating Landlord’s tenancy agreement,
including the payment of rent and / or any other charges relating to the
tenancy, which may arise before the Applicant’s 18th birthday.
Where Health and Social Services continue to provide support / services
under the Children Order, 1995 for a 16 / 17 year old, then the Landlord
may require a representative from Health and Social Services to act as
Guarantor.
The guarantee form must be signed by the Guarantor and by the
Designated Officer from the Landlord. A copy of the signed guarantee
form must be returned to the Guarantor along with information on the
General Conditions of Tenancy. This is very important as it is required to
ensure offer and acceptance of what is actually a contract.
It is recommended that the Guarantor sign the guarantee form and the 16 /
17 year old Applicant sign for the tenancy together at the Landlord’s
Office. This guarantee must be signed prior to the 16 / 17 year old being
granted a tenancy of the property.
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The prospective Guarantor should be advised that as they are signing a
binding legal contract and therefore he / she may wish to take independent
legal advice.
A copy of the guarantor form is attached at Appendix 5.1. This form
should be reproduced at each Housing Executive Local office. Housing
Associations may also wish to use this form.
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5.7.2 ALLOCATIONS TO STAFF AND RELATIVES (HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS)
In relation to an allocation in any of the circumstances detailed below please
refer to Chapter 10 Section 10 .1.5.3 of this Manual
i) a member of staff, or a relative (refer to NIHE CoC 19.6 paragraph 2
appendix 1 copied below) of a member of staff.
ii) an applicant who is closely associated with the officer or the partner of the
officer who is responsible for making the allocation.
5.7.3 PRE-ALLOCATIONS
Designated Officers should, if possible, pre-allocate new dwellings prior to the
handover stage to help prevent squatting. Prospective tenants should be issued
with an appropriate pre-allocation letter to present to the Contractor when viewing
the dwelling.
5.7.4 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF OFFERS: RULE 56
All Applicants are entitled to receive a maximum of three reasonable offers of
accommodation. Any Applicant who refuses 3 reasonable offers will
automatically be deferred for a period of one year, (see para 5.8.1, Refusal of
Offers – Deferrals) regardless of whether they are Full Duty Applicants or are
awarded FDA points during the offer process.
Exceptionally, where an Applicant has refused three reasonable offers, and
subsequently becomes a Full Duty Applicant within then 1 year deferral period
through the award of Intimidation and / or Homelessness points, he / she will be
entitled to
one further reasonable offer (See paragraph 5.8.4 below).
If the
Applicant refuses this 4th reasonable offer then the Housing Executive’s duty
under the provisions of the Housing (NI) Order, 1988 will be considered to have
been discharged.
5.7.5 REASONABLENESS OF OFFERS: RULE 57
When deciding whether any offer of accommodation made was reasonable, the
Designated Officer (who makes the offer) will have to take a range of factors into
account:
(a).
Size of Accommodation
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Reference should be made to the “Size of Accommodation Guide”
(contained within this section) to determine the minimum requirements of an
Applicant’s household. This does not, however, restrict a Participating
Landlord from offering accommodation that is larger than that needed for a
particular household. In all cases, Allocating Officers should consider an
Applicant for accommodation that meets their minimum requirements.
Applicants may also be considered for accommodation which is one
bedroom in excess of their minimum requirements.
The dwelling offered must be of a suitable size for the Applicant’s
household. Normally Applicants will be considered for accommodation on
the following basis:
Single adults, couples and two children of the same gender, or different
genders if aged 7 or more, each require a minimum of a separate bedroom
with a bed space for each person. Children of different genders aged 7 or
more should not normally have to share a bedroom.
Where two or more different families are sharing accommodation the
children from these families, irrespective of age and sex, should not be
expected to share a bedroom with members of the other family.
Where an Applicant’s family contains children from one or more previous
relationships these should be considered as being part of the one family
group Applicants with regular overnight access to children should be treated
the same as a family that contains children from one or more relationships
and these should be considered as being part of the one family group.
5.7.6
SIZE OF ACCOMMODATION GUIDE
Single Person
1 Bedroom
1 Bed Space
Couple
1 Bedroom
2 Bed Spaces
2 Persons (not a couple) or 1 Parent and 1 Child
2 Bedrooms
2 Bed Spaces
Couple and 1 Child or 1 Parent and 2 Children
2 Bedrooms
3 Bed Spaces
Couple and 2 Children
2 Bedrooms
4 Bed Spaces
1 Parent and 1 Adult and 1 Child
3 Bedrooms
3 Bed Spaces
1 Parent and 3 Children or Couple and 1 Adult and
3 Bedrooms
4 Bed Spaces
1 Child or 1 Parent and 1 Adult and 2 Children
Couple and 3 Children or 1 Parent and 4 Children or 3 Bedrooms
5 Bed Spaces
Couple and 1 Adult and 2 Children
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Couple and 4 or more Children or 1 Parent and 1
4 Bedrooms
6 Bed Spaces
Adult and 3 or 4 Children
Other household compositions analogous to the above will be considered
for equivalent accommodation.
Depending on the particular needs of the Applicant’s household a greater
number of bedrooms may be required. Also, where there are no other
Applicants with the required household size on the Waiting List for the
accommodation on offer, smaller household Applicants may be considered
for the property.
The “minimum size” rule does not prevent a Participating Landlord from
offering an Applicant accommodation that is larger or smaller than their
needs. The overall demand, turnover and supply of a particular type of
accommodation in an Estate / Project will need to be taken into account e.g.
there may be occasions where a single Applicant will be considered for 3
bed accommodation where the demand for such accommodation in an
Estate / Project has been met. Alternatively, there may be occasions where
an Applicant who
needs 4 bed accommodation will be considered for 3 bed
accommodation, where the accommodation size required by a household is
in very short supply in the Estate / Project of their choice.
Large Families
Although Applicants normally should be allocated accommodation
appropriate to the size of the family, in many cases such accommodation
will not be available for large families. Applicants with very large families
should be allocated the largest accommodation available, even though this
may not be ideal in the circumstances, provided it is larger than the family’s
current accommodation. Designated Officers may also consider offering
very large families two properties in close proximity, if available.
(b).
Location of Accommodation
The accommodation offered should, as far as is reasonably possible, be
located in an area corresponding with the Applicant’s preferred area of
choice. The location of schools, work places and any essential care /
support requirements of the Applicant, or member of the Applicant’s
household, must be considered.
(c).
Suitability of Features
The dwelling must be reasonably suitable for the needs of the Applicant or
members of the Applicant’s household. For example, the Applicant may
require ground floor accommodation or to have access to certain facilities
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on the ground floor, or the Applicant may also require sheltered or wheel
chair accommodation.
(d).
Condition of dwelling
The dwelling must be in a reasonable state of repair and must not be
statutorily unfit. It should be safe for occupation at the commencement of
the tenancy. In many cases Commencement of Tenancy repairs will be
required to bring the dwelling back to its original condition for an incoming
new tenant. It is good practice to issue potential tenants a list of the COT
repairs to be carried out to a property that is being offered to them.
It is reasonable to expect a tenant to occupy a dwelling prior to the
completion of these repairs providing that they are not of a serious or
extensive nature.
5.7.7 APPLICANTS’ PREFERENCES AND NEEDS: RULE 58
Applicants may indicate a preference for a particular type of property e.g.
bungalow, mid-terrace house etc., but in making an offer the Designated Officer
will not regard this preference as being an essential need. Only in those cases
where there is an accepted need for a particular type of dwelling, e.g. a person
with severely restricted functional mobility requiring ground floor accommodation,
should the Designated Officer be restrictive in the type of accommodation offered
(see paragraph 5.7.6, Reasonability of Offers and Applicant Preference).
5.7.8 REASONABLENESS OF OFFERS AND APPLICANT PREFERENCE: RULE 60
Occasionally Landlords may be approached by Applicants requesting an offer of
accommodation which, in the normal course of events, the Landlord would not
normally consider to be a reasonable offer. Where a Landlord is able to make
such an offer to an Applicant, and that offer is subsequently refused, it will be
treated automatically as being one of the Applicant’s three reasonable offers (see
paragraph 5.7.5, Maximum Number of Offers).
5.8
REFUSAL OF OFFERS: RULE 59
Where an Applicant refuses any offer of accommodation the reasons for refusal
should be input to HMS and noted on the file. Where possible the reasons
should be obtained in writing from the Applicant.
5.8.1 REFUSAL OF OFFERS – DEFERRAL
Applicants are entitled to a maximum of three reasonable offers of
accommodation (see paragraph 5.7.5). The Applicant will automatically be
deferred from receiving any further offers for a period of one year from the date
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that a 3rd reasonable offer is refused. When the refusal is keyed a system
generated letter (see Appendix 5.3) is produced and should be forwarded to the
applicant
A case that has automatically been deferred will appear on the H002 ‘Daily
Deferred Housing Applicants’ Crystal report and the H001 report ‘Deferred
Homeless’ if they had been awarded FDA. Check the ‘HMS Housing
Management Reports User Manual’ to see appropriate action to take.
The completion of the deferral period will appear on the H006 ‘Undeferred
Applicants’ daily Crystal Report. This will allow a further three reasonable offers
to be made. An update assessment should be completed to establish if there has
been any change in their circumstances. .
Exceptionally Designated Officers may decide not to defer an Applicant who has
refused three reasonable offers of accommodation, e.g. where the Applicant is a
Management Transfer Applicant and is residing in a Redevelopment Area. In
such cases, however, if the tenant has refused three reasonable offers of
accommodation, eviction proceedings may be started if it is considered that the
re-housing of other families would otherwise be jeopardised.
5.8.2 LIFTING OF DEFERRAL
There are two methods of lifting a deferral prior to its expiry date:
1)
Changing a “reasonable” offer to “unreasonable”. The system will
automatically lift the deferral and reduce the number of reasonable offers
made accordingly. This can only be decided / keyed by the Landlord who
has made the relevant offer. Circumstances where this may arise include
the receipt of new information that would influence the reasonableness of
the offer.
2)
Manually removing the Deferral - By changing application status back to
active. It should be noted that this has the effect of removing all previous
reasonable offers and allowing a further three reasonable offers to be
made. The lifting of the deferral in this scenario can only be keyed by the
Housing Executive District Office / Landlord of ownership i.e. the Landlord
who registered the case. This should only apply to those cases where an
Applicant, who is subject to a deferral, subsequently becomes statutorily
homeless (see para 5.8.4).
Where a deferral is lifted prior to its expiry date by either of the two methods
listed in paragraph 5.8.2, the Homeless case should be re-opened and Insecurity
of Tenure points reapplied. If dealing with a transfer case, the Management
Transfer (FDA) status should be reapplied.
5.8.3 DEFERRAL PERIOD – NEW APPLICATIONS
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Any new applications received during a deferral period should also be deferred
(for the remainder of the original deferral period).
5.8.4 DEFERRAL: FDAS / OTHER HOMELESS
Where an Applicant has been deferred from receiving further offers of
accommodation as a result of circumstances outlined in 5.8.1 above, and they
are either FDA or Other Homeless Applicants, then any Insecurity of Tenure
points should be removed.
In addition, where an Applicant has been awarded Management Transfer status
because he / she is a Full Duty Applicant, Management Transfer status (under
this category) will no longer apply and should be removed. Management
Transfer status under another category may still however, be applicable, though
the case will still be deferred (note exceptions above). If Management Transfer
Status is removed, their application type should be amended accordingly.
In addition, any homeless case should be closed, using the reason code “Duty
Discharge - 3 reasonable offers”, as the Housing Executive will be deemed to
have fulfilled its obligations under the Housing Order (NI), 1988, by making three
reasonable offers.
The completion of the deferral period will appear on the daily Crystal Report
(H006) ‘Undeferred Applicant’. This will allow a further three reasonable offers to
be made. However, the Insecurity of Tenure points should not be reapplied, and
the homeless case should not be re-opened. Where Management Transfer (FDA)
had previously been awarded, this should not be reapplied.
Where a deferral is lifted prior to its expiry date by either of the two methods
listed in paragraph 5.8.2, the Homeless case should be re-opened and Insecurity
of Tenure points reapplied. If dealing with a transfer case, the Management
Transfer (FDA) status should be reapplied.
Where an Applicant who has been deferred is subsequently awarded Full Duty
Applicant points for Intimidation and / or Homelessness, he / she will be entitled
to
one further reasonable offer of accommodation. Management Transfer status
(FDA) will also apply to tenants.
In such cases, the Applicant must be issued
with a manual Final letter (see Appendix 5.2).
Should the Applicant refuse this further reasonable offer before the original
deferral end date, the Application status should be amended to ‘Deferred' using
the original deferral date. Any Insecurity of Tenure points must also be removed
and the homeless case closed. In addition, where an Applicant has been
awarded Management Transfer status because he / she is a Full Duty Applicant,
Management Transfer status (under this category) will no longer apply and
should be removed. Management Transfer status under another category may
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still however, be applicable, though the case will still be deferred (note exceptions
above).
5.9
DIFFICULT TO LET PROPERTIES – RULE 68
A property is a difficult to let property if:
1)
It has been void for at least 4 weeks, and
2)
No eligible Applicants have applied for it.
(Guidance below reviewed 09/03/11)
In order to decide whether or not a property or properties should be classed as ‘Difficult
to Let’ and the Multiple Offer process used, the following factors may be taken into
consideration:
The criteria detailed above in Rules 68 of the Housing Selection Scheme state the
conditions that have to be met for a property to reach the status of ‘difficult to let’ i.e. a
dwelling has been void for 4 weeks and there are no eligible Applicants on the Waiting
List. It is important, however, to consider the different factors that may bring this about
and some of the circumstances are detailed below.
It would be impossible to draw up a comprehensive list of all the scenarios that would
need to be met in order for a ‘difficult to let’ status to be reached. It is possible,
however, to group a number of circumstances into categories that would result in a
Designated Manager deciding that a dwelling(s) should be classed as ‘Difficult to Let’
and they are detailed below.
1
A District may decide that a dwelling that would normally attract considerable
interest may prove difficult to let because a serious incident took place there e.g.
a suicide / murder or a fire that caused death etc.
2
A District may consider whether the location of the dwelling(s) as opposed to the
area make it / them difficult to let e.g. an end of terrace or corner site that has
attracted particular problems in relation to ASB or a clash of lifestyles of existing
neighbours e.g. mostly young or old people associated with that particular
location.
3
A District may consider that the dwelling(s) may fall under this category if the
following applies – the dwelling type is deemed to be substantially different from
other house types in that area e.g. bedsit; or a particular unsuitable house type
such as a dwelling where the previous tenant had opted out of scheme works
and refused substantial improvement works; or the dwelling(s) on offer differ(s)
greatly from the main accommodation in that area e.g. it is an older property
surrounded by new build or a block of flats/maisonettes which are located in an
area where the majority of properties are houses.
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4
A District consider a property difficult to let because they are aware that within
the last year a similar type of property became available and they had to make a
significant number of offers before it could be relet (minimum of four offers) which
resulted in the property being void for an unreasonable period of time.
Note: The Designated Manager should ensure that he/she should only class a
dwelling as ‘difficult to let’ if he / she is satisfied the above criteria has been met.
The rationale behind their decision should be recorded on file.
The test of being void for at least 4 weeks may commence from the date the first
offer was made on the property.
NB: If individual offers have already been made on a dwelling and refused and
the Designated Manager subsequently decided that the property should be
offered on a multiple offer basis, then the original offers should be considered
unreasonable.
When a District decides to use the multiple offer process the matching criteria for
size of accommodation may be extended by a bedroom e.g. someone assessed
as requiring 2 bed may be included in a 2/3 bed match etc.
5.9.1 MULTIPLE OFFERS: RULE 69
A Designated Officer has the discretion to make simultaneous offers of difficult to
let accommodation to the next ten highest ranked Applicants on the Waiting List
that is used by all Participating Landlords until:
1)
The accommodation is let, or
2)
There are no eligible Applicants remaining on the Waiting List.
Designated Officers have the discretion to make simultaneous offers of
accommodation to more than one Applicant, but not more than ten for each
property. The normal offer period of 2 / 3 days must be adhered to. If more than
one Applicant accepts the offer within the stipulated timescale, then the highest
pointed Applicant who accepts the offer should be allocated the property.
All non-accepted multiple offers should be deemed unreasonable.
NOTE:
The procedures for making offers to Transfers are dealt with in Chapter 7,
paragraph
7.11.
The procedures for making offers to Applicants with Complex Needs are dealt
with in Chapter 4, Applicants with Complex Needs.
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5.10 DESIGNATION OF FLATS: RULE 70A
The Designated Officer has the discretion to designate a block of flats with
shared access providing the following criteria listed in the Rule apply.
(1) Subject to paragraph (4) below, accommodation within a block of
Participating Landlord dwellings which have shared access should not be
allocated to a person under 35 years of age at any time when there is a
valid designation in force in respect of that block.
(2) In relation to any relevant accommodation block, there will be valid
designation in force if, within 12 months prior to the relevant date, the
Designated Officer has designated that block pursuant to this rule.
(3) A Designated Officer must not designate any block of accommodation
pursuant to this rule unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)
The block is predominantly occupied by persons over 35 years of age.
(b)
The Designated Officer is satisfied that anti-social behaviour is a
serious problem in relation to that block.
(c)
The Designated Officer is satisfied that complaints of anti-social
behaviour in that block are mainly being made against persons under
35 years of age.
(d)
The Designated Officer is satisfied that, in the event of the particular
block of accommodation being designated pursuant to this rule:
•
The range of housing choices for persons under 35 years of age
in the local office will not be substantially narrowed, and
•
The length of time which persons under 35 years of age have to
wait for housing in the local office will not be lengthened by more
than three months.
(4) A Designated Officer should however allocate designated Accommodation
to a person under 35 years of age if the Designated Officer is satisfied that,
because of the exceptional personal circumstances of that individual, it is
highly desirable that he or she should be allocated accommodation within a
particular designated block, in particular because of an exceptional need for
family support or because of exceptional circumstances relating to the
health and welfare of a member of the Applicant’s family.
5.10.1 DESIGNATION OF FLATS IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
ARRANGEMENTS
Housing Executive local
offices initially were asked to identify properties for
consideration of a local lettings policy for mature elderly applicants. Officers
reviewing the new policy thought it prudent to take detailed legal advice which
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resulted with a new
Rule 70A (designation of flats) of the Housing Selection
Scheme being developed.
Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, places an obligation to promote
equality of opportunity. It is with this in mind that the new rule has been fine-
tuned with a view to minimising any adverse effect upon young people’s housing
prospects. In this context the Designated Officer has to be satisfied that housing
choices are not substantially narrowed and that young people’s time on the
waiting list is not greatly lengthened.
There is also provision within the new Rule to allocate designated
accommodation to a person less than 35 years of age if the Designated Officer is
satisfied that, because of the exceptional personal circumstances of that
individual, it is highly desirable that he or she should be allocated
accommodation within a particular designated block.
Further checks by Local
Offices established whether the original properties
identified for the local lettings policy met the new criteria and the amended list is
detailed in Appendix 5.5.
.
The following guidelines detail the steps that need to be taken in order to
designate a block of flats.
a) Implementation of the designated lettings policy
(i)
A Designated Officer for the purposes of Rule 70A refers to Housing
Services Manager/ Housing Manager.
(ii)
To comply with Note 3 of the Rule the following evidence would need
to be established:
a)
Designated Officer should be satisfied that the majority of the
current occupants of a block of flats being considered for
Designation would be over 35 years of age.
b)
Evidence in relation to Anti Social Behaviour may include;
complaints in relation to ASB received from occupants, public
representatives, resident groups, PSNI, Council Officials.
Consultation with Community Safety Team or information already
held on ASB file(s) and Maintenance Orders raised in relation to
graffiti or vandalism etc.
c)
The evidence in relation to the age group (under 35) of the
persons responsible for the ASB should be established when
gathering information / evidence for (b) above.
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d)
Designated Officers should be reasonably satisfied that
subsequent analysis will prove that applicants under 35 will not
have their wait for housing lengthened by more than three
months, by being excluded from consideration for allocations
within a designated block.
The above evidence, collated to designate a block of flats, should be maintained
in a new designation file (a separate file should be maintained for each
designation) along with any subsequent monitoring information that is generated.
b) Communication
i.
Points Notification letters now inform applicants that a designation
policy can be applied and that they may not be considered for a
specific block of flats in their area of choice if there is a designation in
place and if there are no exceptional circumstances as outlined in note
4 of the rule in relation to family support or relevant health and welfare
of a member of the Applicant’s family.
ii.
New applicants with areas of choice which contain designated blocks
of flats should be informed of the operation of this Designated Lettings
Policy. This should be done at the visit stage and the
visiting/assessing officer should check whether applicants’ chosen
areas include designated flats and if so advise them of the operation
of the policy, and that they may not be considered for specific blocks
of flats.
iii.
Existing applicants contacting the appropriate landlords about their
housing options should also be advised of areas of choice containing
a designated block.
iv. Housing Executive and housing association staff, including those
Offices which have not designated any flats should be aware of all
stock that has been designated. This will enable them to provide
accurate advice and assistance on areas of choice for any applicants
or transfer cases who might wish to be considered for areas containing
designated flats. For an up to date list of designated flats See
Appendix
5.5 This list will be maintained and distributed by the
Housing Policy Section.
c) Monitoring arrangements
i.
Allocation: Accommodation within a block of Participating Landlord
dwellings which have shared access should not be allocated to a
person under the age of 35 years of age
(the age criteria also
applies to members of the household) when there is a valid
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designation in force in respect of that block. Prior to an allocation
being made a check should be made of all applicants that are being
bypassed because of the age criteria to establish whether any
exceptional circumstances exist to justify an allocation to a higher
ranked but under 35 year old applicant/member of household.
ii.
Complaints: Any complaints arising as a result of the policy, both
formal and informal, should be monitored and recorded on the
Designation file.
iii.
Exceptional Circumstances: Where exceptional circumstances prevail,
the Designated Officer should be satisfied that sufficient evidence has
been collated and maintained on the Designation file for any future
analysis or review of the designation. Evidence may include;
confirmation of family connection, Invalid Care Allowance in payment
or letter from health professional i.e. social worker CPN / OT Care
Manager/District Nurse supporting the request or other relevant
information which is deemed to be pertinent.
iv.
Anti social behaviour: Information in relation to any reports or
information on ASB occurring in the block e.g. maintenance orders,
letters/phone calls from residents or public representatives information
from PSNI should be recorded on the Designation file.
d)
Designation Evaluation/Review
i.
Impact of Policy
Managers have a responsibility to evaluate the impact of any decision
to designate a particular block of flats. The determination on whether
to designate or re-designate a block of flats should consist of both
quantitative and qualitative information.
ii.
Quantitative evaluation may consist of:
•
Information in relation to the age profile of existing occupants
•
Analysis of the Waiting List, including an indication of the length
of time applicants being bypassed are waiting for an offer of
accommodation.
iii.
Qualitative information may consist of analysis of information retained
in the designated file, which may include the following:
•
Incidents of anti-social behaviour e.g. have they increased or
decreased as a result of the designated lettings policy?
•
The nature of exceptional circumstances used to justify
allocations to under 35 year old applicants/household members.
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
•
Correspondence received in relation to the Designation from
applicants, occupants, public representatives etc.
The above evaluation should be carried out every 12 months to determine
whether the Designation of the block of flats should still apply. Details of all
new designations, amendments to or withdrawals from the current list
should be forwarded to the NIHE, Housing Policy Section, 2 Adelaide
Street, Belfast BT2 8PB in order to update appendix 5.5
5.11 AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT / BOARD: RULE 84
1)
The authority of the Department / Board of the Housing Executive is defined
as follows:
(a). The Board of the Housing Executive may, after consultation with the
Department of Social Development, make allocations otherwise than
in accordance with this Scheme. In the case of Housing Associations,
the Landlord may, with the prior approval of the Department, make
allocations otherwise than in accordance with this Scheme.
(b). In particular, the Board may, after consultation with the Department,
authorise the making of allocations in specific designated “difficult to
let estates” to Applicants who have not applied for housing in that
estate. In the case of Housing Associations, the Landlord may, with
the prior approval of the Department, authorise the making of
allocations in specific designated “difficult to let estates” to Applicants
who have not applied for housing in that estate.
Guidance in relation to (a) and (b) above
Managers must submit any proposal for such a departure in the context of
the following general framework:
A potential circumstance in which a departure from the general Scheme
might be warranted is where, in a changing pattern of demand, a particular
block of flats might be designated exclusively for a specific group. An
example might be a block of flats previously let to younger single
Applicants, which, with a range of associated initiatives is re-designed
exclusively for the elderly only.
The needs of ethnic groups or asylum seekers granted leave to remain in
Northern Ireland might also warrant the use of specific lettings policies.
Recent examples have been the planned scheme for Chinese Elders and
the grouped accommodation schemes being developed for the Travelling
Community.
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
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With the increased emphasis on meeting the support needs, as well as the
accommodation needs of Applicants, more innovate responses to the needs
of vulnerable groups may require specific letting arrangements linked to the
provision of targeted support. The use of local lettings policies could
facilitate this.
While it is recognised that allocation polices alone cannot guarantee the
regeneration of an area, and are not therefore used in isolation, they may
constitute one approach within a wider range of measures designed to
regenerate a particular neighbourhood.
It is considered appropriate, therefore, to acknowledge the potential of a
local lettings policy to support a clearly defined regeneration or renewal
strategy.
The nature of any such lettings policy will of course depend on the
circumstances which triggered the regeneration or renewal strategy in the
first instance, and may therefore vary from location to location. Typical
elements might however, include:
an extension of the standard disqualification criteria to include
homeless Applicants who were guilty of previous anti-social behaviour;
an extension of the standard disqualification criteria to include
Applicants who, on the basis of the evidence available to the District
Manager, would be likely to contribute to an increase in anti-social
behaviour within an area;
restrictions on allocation of certain property types to particular
household categories ( examples might include families with young
children not being offered flat accommodation, or single people not
being allocated 3 bedroom accommodation in areas of low demand).
While by no means definitive, the circumstances outlined above, highlight a
range of instances in which the development of a specific lettings policy
might contribute to the achievement of a broader range of objectives
beyond that of meeting housing need alone.
Such policies are likely to be the exception rather than the norm with the
emphasis on promoting social inclusion rather than on exclusion. There
may be instances, however, when exclusion of Applicants beyond the
normal disqualification criteria might be merited as part of a broader
package of initiatives and on the basis that such exclusions would not be
applied on a blanket basis throughout all districts.
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
Arrangements will be put in place to monitor and report on progress in
achieving the objectives established at the outset of any agreed departure
from the Housing Selection Scheme.
In relation to (a) for example, in March 2000, the Board of the Housing
Executive and the Department for Social Development authorised, pursuant
to Rule 84 of the Scheme, specific procedures for making allocations which
would ensure that transitional protection is afforded to relevant A1(I) / PT1(I)
and A1 / PT1 Applicants. These procedures are contained in Appendix
10.8. Housing Associations have also been advised by the Department for
Social Development to adhere to the same Transitional Protection
arrangements (Circular HAC02/01).
5.12 APPLICANTS LOSING TIED ACCOMMODATION
In relation to applicants losing Tied Accommodation the Board of the Housing
Executive and the Department for Social Development authorised, pursuant to
Rule 84 of the Scheme, Local Housing Services Managers to use their discretion
to re-house, outside the usual terms of the Housing Selection Scheme certain
persons who are about to lose tied accommodation in Northern Ireland providing
they meet the following criteria.
The revised policy is approved on the basis that it will help prevent homelessness
and contribute to the Housing Executive’s overall Homelessness Strategy.
Criteria for applying Rule 84 for Applicants Losing Tied Accommodation
(1). Applicants who have applied for accommodation on the basis that they are
losing tied accommodation should be considered under the Housing
Selection scheme in the usual way. However, further consideration in
relation to an allocation may be given to the Housing Services Manager
providing
all the following criteria apply:
(i)
The applicant or a member of his/her household has been in
permanent (i.e. not temporary or fixed term) employment for a period
of at least 2 years, and
(ii)
The applicant must leave accommodation supplied in connection with
that employment because of ill health, redundancy, retirement or the
death of the tenant.
(2) If the applicant states he/she, or a member of his household, left
employment because of ill health, redundancy or retirement, verification
should be sought from the employer.
(3) The Housing Services Manager may approve or request another Local
Office or other participating landlord to consider an Applicant likely to lose
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
their tied accommodation in the near future (normally within 3 months) for
an allocation of accommodation in accordance wit
h Rule 84 of the
Housing Selection Scheme.
(4) Where an Applicant or a member of his /her household voluntarily leaves
employment to better him/herself in other employment, the Applicant
should not be considered for an allocation in accordance with Rule 84,
Similarly, where an Applicant must leave tied accommodation because
he/she or a member of his/her household has been dismissed from their
employment, the Applicant should not be considered for an allocation in
accordance with Rule 84
Applicants losing tied accommodation in Northern Ireland and meeting
all the
above criteria should be considered under the Housing Selection Scheme in the
usual way.
The Housing Services Manager should only consider making an allocation
under Rule 84 of the Scheme or requesting another Housing Services Manager
or Landlord to adhere to a request to do so if it is evident that the applicant will
not be able to be rehoused in his\her area of choice within a reasonable period
of time
before the date they are expected to leave their tied accommodation.
If the Housing Services Manager wants to consider an allocation under Rule 84
of the Scheme for losing tied accommodation he/ she will need to have
documentary evidence on file in relation to the above criteria from the
applicant’s employer of the following:
i. The date the Applicant, or a member of his/her household, took up their
current employment and that this contract of employment had been offered
on a permanent basis and that part of the contract
included taking up tied
accommodation.
ii. The employer must confirm in writing, that the applicant must leave the
accommodation supplied in connection with that employment because of ill
health, redundancy, retirement or the death of the tenant.
Please note that
the two year qualifying period of employment applies in all of the
above circumstances.
iii. The assessing Housing Services Manager will record on the applicants file
that he/she is satisfied all the appropriate evidence has been obtained and
that he/she has decided to use their discretion to make an allocation under
Rule 84 of the Scheme on the basis that it is evident that the applicant
would not be rehoused within their Areas of choice within a reasonable
period of time before losing their tied accommodation.
Where the above criterion applies and the Applicant has requested
accommodation with another Social Landlord or within another Local Office
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
area, the assessing office should liaise with the relevant designated officer
to establish the following:
1.
Prospects of the applicant being rehoused with current points level
2.
If there is suitable accommodation within their area of choice
3.
The average turnover for that estate
Having carried out the above investigations, if it is evident that the applicant
will not be able to be rehoused within their areas of choice within a
reasonable period of time before losing their tied accommodation, the letter
in Appendix 5.6, should be completed and forwarded to the appropriate
Designated Manager.
Administration
In order to maintain a record of all cases to be considered for an allocation
under Rule 84 of the Scheme for applicants losing Tied accommodation, the
assessing office should record the following comment “Rule 84 Losing Tied
Accommodation” on the comments field of the particular CLA. A file should
also be maintained in all Offices to record all cases. The file may contain
the following.
1.
Details of when the Local Office has assessed a case and used Rule
84 to make an allocation within its own Local Office.
2.
Retain a copy of relevant correspondence (Appendix
5.6) made by
another assessing District Manager.
3.
Retain a copy of any requests (Appendix
5.6) made to another
Housing Services Manager/Housing Manager to consider an allocation
under Rule 84 of the Scheme.
Please note this discretion can be applied up to three months prior to
the date the applicant has to leave their tied accommodation. As the
intention of this policy is to prevent homelessness it should be
explained to the applicant that when they are considering their areas
of choice they should give it careful consideration and widen their
areas of choice to enhance the prospects of them being rehoused
before being forced to leave their Tied Accommodation. It is generally
expected that once an applicant has left tied accommodation an
allocation under Rule 84 would no longer be considered appropriate
and any allocation made to the applicant(s) would comply with the
general rules of the Housing Selection Scheme.
iv.
Where an applicant or a member of his / her household voluntarily leaves
employment or has been dismissed from their employment,
No
Consideration should be given to an allocation under Rule 84.
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
v. Normally no more than one allocation per household can be made under
this policy.
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
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APPENDIX 5.1
Form of Guarantee in respect of Tenant under Eighteen.
Landlord: Northern Ireland Housing Executive of 2 Adelaide Street,
Belfast, BT2 8PB.
Premises:
Date of Commencement of Tenancy, the day of 20 .
Name(s) of Tenant(s):
Name(s) of Guarantor(s):
Address of Guarantor (s):
Telephone Number of Guarantor (s):
In consideration of the Landlord agreeing to let the premises referred to above to
the Tenant, I, the above mentioned guarantor, guarantee to you that the Tenant
shall at all times duly pay all rent that may accrue due in respect to the above
premises and will duly perform and observe all the terms and conditions of the
tenancy and I undertake and agree that I and my heirs, executors and
administrators will at all times hereafter pay and make good to you on demand all
loss, costs, damages and expenses occasioned to you by the non-payment of
the said rent or any part thereof or the breach or non-performance or non-
observance of any of the said terms and conditions on the part of the Tenant and
all costs and expenses incurred by you in recovering possession of the premises,
AND any neglect on your part in enforcing or giving time to the Tenant for
payment of the rent or any part thereof or the observance or performance of any
of the said terms or conditions shall not in any way release me or my heirs,
executors and administrators in respect of my or their liability under the foregoing
guarantee and in particular any notice to terminate the tenancy given by either
party to the other and afterwards withdrawn or waived either with or without any
knowledge shall not affect this guarantee which will nevertheless remain in full
force. This guarantee is to remain in force until the Tenant attains the age of
eighteen.
A copy of the Housing Executive’s General Conditions of Tenancy (1989 Edition)
has been furnished to me / us.
Dated this day of 20 .
Signed ________________________
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Signed ________________________
Guarantor
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
APPENDIX 5.2
Your Ref:
Our Ref:
Date:
Dear
Draft Letter of Offer to Deferred Applicant who becomes FDA
Under the rules of the Housing Selection Scheme, you are not entitled to another offer for
housing as you have been offered and refused the maximum of three reasonable offers
and are currently deferred. However, as you have been assessed under the Homelessness
legislation and accepted as a Full Duty Applicant, then pursuant of that homelessness
duty, the Executive is prepared to treat you as though you were entitled to one further
offer under the Scheme. If you refuse this offer of accommodation, you will lose all
points you have been awarded in respect of your homelessness and you will be continue
to be deferred from receiving any further offers for the remaining period.
The Executive can offer you (on the terms and conditions set out in the Executive’s
general conditions of tenancy, 1999 edition) the tenancy of @ ------- bedroom/s @ at
------------------- commencing on ---------------
The charges for the property are:
Rent
@
per week
Rates
@
per week
Heating charge
@
per week
Other charges @
per week
Total payment @
per week
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
PLEASE NOTE:
If you are not already a secure tenant of the Housing Executive or a registered Housing
Association, this offer is in respect of an introductory tenancy which will last for a period
of 12 months.
Providing the Introductory Tenancy is not brought to an end before that time, it will
become a secure tenancy unless possession proceedings have been commenced.
The Housing Executive operates the Housing Benefits Scheme which may entitle you to a
reduction on the rent and/or rates. An explanatory leaflet is enclosed.
This offer is conditional on the following:
1. The statement of facts on your housing application is correct and as not changed
to date. If there has been a change we must be advised immediately and prior to
accepting this offer.
2. That the premises will be vacant and available for occupation by you on the date
specified.
The Housing Executive will make every reasonable effort to ensure that the
property is available for you on that date, but does not accept responsibility should
unforeseen circumstances arise which prevent this happening.
3. If you are currently a Housing Executive/Housing Association Tenant you are
required under the terms of your tenancy to provide written notice of the
termination of your existing tenancy to your landlord. You will normally be
required to give vacant possession i.e. you must return the keys and not leave
anyone living in the property.
4. Acceptance of the Housing Executive’s General Conditions of Tenancy (1989
edition) a copy of which will be provided to you prior to signing for the premises.
5. Please note that you may not be eligible to apply for a transfer until two years
after your tenancy commences.
You should also note the following:
a) If this property is either a single storey property or ground floor dwelling (other
than a flat) with no more than two bedrooms, then it will not be possible to sell it
to you under the Housing Executive’s Statutory House Sales Scheme.
b) Please note that the right to buy only arises after you have been a secure tenant of
the Housing Executive or other relevant body for a period of not les than five
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
years. Previous secure tenancy periods may count in calculating the required five
year qualifying period.
You cannot apply to buy during an introductory tenancy year, even if you were
previously a secure tenant. However, upon completion of the introductory year it
will count towards the eligibility criteria.
c) If this property has been built, acquired or improved by the Housing Executive in
the current year or in the previous ten financial years your right to discounts could
be greatly reduced if you apply to purchase.
If you require clarification on any of the above matters before accepting the tenancy
please contact the District Office at the above address before signing for the property.
I
would like to take this opportunity to remind you that should you refuse this
offer your Insecurity of Tenure points awarded will be withdrawn as a result. In
addition, any duties owed to you under the Housing (NI) Order 1988, including
the provision of temporary accommodation, will be withdrawn.
Please let me know immediately, by telephone if you can, whether or not you are
accepting the dwelling. If you are, would you and/or your partner call to the above
office on _______________ a.m. in order to sign for the tenancy.
Yours sincerely
Area Manager
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
APPENDIX 5.3
Your Ref:
Our Ref:
Date:
Dear
Deferral Letter (System Generated Letter)
I refer to your housing / transfer application.
Under Rule 59 of the Housing Selection Scheme all applicants are entitled to a
maximum of three reasonable offers of accommodation which, if refused, would
result in no further offers being made for a period of one year after the date of the
last refusal.
On your offer letter dated _______________ you were advised that, as that was
your third reasonable offer, you would not be entitled to receive any further offers
of accommodation for a period of one year if you refused that offer. In addition,
you were advised that if you had been awarded Insecurity of Tenure points these
points would also be removed.
I am writing to advise you that, as you have refused your third reasonable offer,
your application will now be deferred until _______________________ (date).
You will be notified of any amendment in your points, if applicable.
Yours sincerely
Area Manager
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
APPENDIX 5.4: RULE 48 : DEPARTURES FROM THE GENERAL RULE
District / Hs
Ref No.
Name of
Address of Property
Property Details
Tenancy
Reason for Departure/ Comments
Assoc.
Applicant /
Accepted
[Size, Type,
Com Date
Tenant
Special Features]
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
APPENDIX 5.5
Blocks of Flats to be Designated - Listed by Area
Belfast Area
District 1
Louisville Flats
17 x 2 bed flats
Trostan Garden Flats
12 bed sits
District 2
Carnet House
58 x 2 bed flats;
14 bed sits
Bridge End Flats
1bed flats only
(over35yrs only)
Over 35yrs only
100 Holywood Rd ( Connswater Homes ) &
Mersey Street Primary School Apartments ( Connswater Homes
Dehra Grove Flats
Ov
er 35yrs only
Finmore Court Flats – Lower Newtownards Rdd.
Ov
er 35 yrs only
District 3
Divis Tower
51 x 2 bed flats;
17 bed sits;
17 x 2 bed flats
District 4
Whitewell Road Flats
9 x 2 bed flats;
3 x 3 bed flats
Mount Vernon House
20 x 1 bed flats;
42 x 2 bed flats
Grainne House
12 x 1 bed flats;
50 x 2 bed flats
Eithne House
50 x 2 bed flats
Maeve House
49 x 2 bed flats
1x 1 bed flat
Block 62 Carlisle Road
16 x 1 bed flats
Castleton Avenue Flats
5 x 2 bed flats
Fortwilliam Parade Flats
1 x 1 bed flat;
8 x 2 bed flats
Greencastle Place Flats
14 x 2 bed flats
Greencastle Close Flats
20 x 1 bed flats
Blocks No 1, 2 and 6 Shore Crescent
Fold HA Ltd Apartment Block at 2a Edlingham St New Lodge Rd
Over 35year olds
District 5
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
Block 3 Forthriver Road
16 x 1 bed flats
Block 83 West Circular Road
6 x 2 bed flats
Block 85 West Circular Road
6 x 2 bed flats
District 6
Marsden Garden Flats
10 no. flats
Kansas Avenue Flats
18 x 2 bed flats
Henderson Avenue Flats
12 x 2 bed flats;
4 x 3 bed flats
Belfast South
NIHE
Marlborough Court Flats Lisburn Rd Belfast
Over 35 yrs. only
Trinity HA
Block of Flats at 80A Haywood Ave
Over 35 yrs only
Blocks of flats at Blackwood St Ormeau Rd
Over 35yrs only
Total For Belfast Area
558 Flats
South Area
Newry
Cleary Crescent, Newry
47 no. flats
Parkside, Warrenpoint
13 no. flats
Toragh Park, Newry
9 no. flats
Unit O. North Street, Newry
17 no. flats
Armagh
Dobbins Grove Block 13 A-
5 no. flats
F
Block 14 A-F
4 no. flats
Block 15 A-F
4 no. flats
Block 16 A-F
5 no. flats
Lurgan/Brownlow
Queen Street
9 no. flats
Foster Place
2 no. flats
Shaerf Drive
19 no. flats
Drumlin Drive
10 no. flats
Sloan Street
30 no. flats
Lime Grove
10 no. flats
Portadown
Magowan House
19 no. flats
Drumcree Grove
4 no. flats
Selshion Parade
6 no. flats
Corcrain Drive
16 no. flats
West Street
8 no. flats
Fermanagh
Cornagrade Road
13 no. flats
Market Street
20 no. flats
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
Breandrum Park
14 no. flats
Total for South Area
284 Flats
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
West Area
Waterloo Place
High Park
15 no.
flats
Maureen Avenue
19 no.
flats
Collon Terrace
Carnhill Flats
30 no.
flats
Limavady
Glenview Drive
9 no.
flats
Kennaught Terrace
28 no.
flats
Alexander Road
26 no.
flats
Ballyclose Street
7 no.
flats
Strabane
Meetinghouse Street
8 no.
flats
Lower Main Street
2 no.
flats
Hospital Road
4 no.
flats
Koram Square
5 no.
flats
Owenreagh Drive
3 no.
flats
Omagh
Edinburgh Park
4 no.
flats
Orangefield Park
7 no.
flats
Winter Gardens
11 no.
flats
Total for West Area:
178
Flats
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
North East
Area
Larne
Linn Road Antiville –
12 no. flats
Block 7-10 Loran
Parade;
Block 11-14 Loran
Parade;
Block 15-18 Loran
Parade.
Linn Road Craigyhill –
33 no. flats
Block 1 Greenway
Block 4 Greenway
Block 60 Dromaine
Drive
Block 118 Killyglen
Road
Block 7 Green Link
Block 18 Garron Walk
Block 19 Garron Walk
Riverdale - Glenmore
24 no. flats
House
Newtownabbey 1
Rathcoole –
Blocks 30 & 32
6 no. flats
Crossreagh
Drive
36 no. flats;
Blocks 1,2,3,4,5,7,9,11
Rathcoole Close (each
block
18 no. flats
consists of 6 flats)
Blocks 1,2,3 Rathcoole
Gardens
(each block consists of
6 flats)
Rushpark –
Blocks 5,6,10,11
32 no. flats
Woodland
Crescent (each block
consists of
8 flats)
Total for North East
161 Flats
Area:
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
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South East Area
Castlereagh
Woodstock House,
44 no. flats;
Cregagh Estate
Willowbrook House,
44 no. flats
Cregagh Estate
Newtownards
Block 45 Bristol Park
6 no
1 b
ed fl
ats
Total for South East
94 Flats
Area
TOTAL FOR ALL AREAS: 1,275 Flats
HOUSING SELE
CTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
The Housing Centre
2 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8PB
Telephone: 028 9024 0588 : Fax 028 9031 8008
Textphone: 0845 6504381
www.nihe.gov.uk
Housing
Executive
APPENDIX 5.6
Designated Manager
2 The Office
Belfast
BT33 1LP
Your Ref:
Our Ref:
11th November 2006
Dear Designated Manager
Re: Joe Soap, 23 Any Street
The above applicant is currently being advised by their employer that they will
have to leave their Tied Accommodation due to a change in their employment
status.
Following the assessment of his/her housing application it has been deemed that
the applicant’s circumstances meet the criteria approved by the Department for
Social Development to consider an allocation under Rule 84 of the Common
Selection Scheme ‘Losing Tied Accommodation’ (Chapter 5.12 Housing
Selection Scheme Guidance Manual).
HOUSING SELECTION SCHEME GUIDANCE MANUAL
Reviewed: August 2015
You are the Landlord/District Manager responsible for allocations in the area
he/she wants re-housed in, namely____________________. I am therefore
requesting that you would consider him/her for the next allocation of suitable
accommodation that becomes available in his/her area of choice as you are
authorised to do so, under Rule 84 of the Selection Scheme.
This change will affect the Estate Project Waiting List for your District/Housing
Association and the only current means of recording this change is by referring to
this letter. Therefore, the letter should be retained on the new tenant’s file to
confirm on what basis the allocation has been made.
Yours sincerely
Local Housing Services Manager
Document Outline