Housing Banding System

Priority bands and criteria for reasonable preference

The banding scheme reflects the legal requirement set out in the section 166A(3) of the Housing Act 1996 which requires that the allocations system gives “reasonable preference” for people in five groups:

• People who are homeless 
• People who are owed a duty by any local housing authority under section 190(2), 193(2), or 195(2) of the 1996 Act (or under section 65(2) or 68(2) of the Housing Act 1985) or who are occupying accommodation secured by any such authority under section 192(3)
• People occupying insanitary or overcrowded housing or otherwise living in unsatisfactory housing conditions
• People who need to move on medical or welfare grounds (including grounds relating to a disability); and
• People who need to move to a particular locality in the district of the authority, where failure to meet that need would cause hardship (to themselves or to others)

We may award 'additional preference' to those that fall within one or more of the above groups and have 'urgent housing needs'. We may take into account a wide range of actions when considering whether to give an individual 'additional preference' or whether to give a lesser priority, but we must be able to explain the reasons for the decision.

Additional preference will be given to a person who

• is serving in the regular forces and is suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable (wholly or partly) to the person’s service
• formerly served in the regular forces
• has recently ceased, or will cease to be entitled, to reside in accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence following the death of that person’s spouse or civil partner who has served in the regular forces and whose death was attributable (wholly or partly) to that service
• is serving or has served in the reserve forces and is suffering from a serious injury, illness or disability which is attributable (wholly or partly) to the person’s service

Band A – Urgent Housing Needs

Applications from persons who meet the following criteria:

1. Urgent medical or welfare needs

• Where an urgent medical need has been agreed with the local authority.A list of criteria for priority to be given on medical and welfare grounds can be found in Appendix 5
• a high priority referral has been accepted by the local authority under the Kent Agency Assessment procedure (see 5.4) 

2. Management transfer and reciprocal arrangements

Where the social landlord requires the tenant to move or the tenant needs to move due to:

• violence, domestic abuse, harassment, intimidation or threats of violence likely to be carried out
• major works
• occupying a significantly adapted property where that property is no longer required (to be agreed by Dover District Council)
• other urgent management reason (see 6.4)

Band B - Serious Housing Needs

Applications from people where none of the above in Band A applies but who meet the following criteria:

1. Where the applicant(s) does / do not meet the Band A housing need criteria.

2. People occupying very overcrowded housing or otherwise living in very unsatisfactory housing conditions

Where a household is suffering from the following:

• Major overcrowding - lacking two or more bedrooms (see Appendix 6)
• Where a Category One hazard exists under the Housing Health and Safety Hazard Rating System, which cannot be resolved within a reasonable time, as advised by Private Sector Housing

3. Social housing tenants who are under-occupying by two or more bedrooms

4. Living in supported housing and needs to move, as support is no longer required, following recommendation from a support worker 

 

Band C - reasonable preference

Applications from persons where none of the above in band A or band B applies but who meet the following criteria:

1. Where the applicant(s) does / do not meet the Bands A & B housing need criteria.

2. People who are homeless

• Where we have accepted a rehousing responsibility, or determined that the person does not have a priority need for accommodation, or the household will be homeless soon.

3. People occupying insanitary or overcrowded housing or otherwise living in unsatisfactory housing conditions:

• Living in insecure housing, for example on a licence agreement or non-secure tenancy, but excluded occupiers
• Lacking bathroom or kitchen
• Lacking inside WC
• Lacking cold or hot water supplies, electricity, gas, or adequate heating
• Minor overcrowding – lacking one bedroom (see Appendix 6)
• Sharing living room, kitchen, bathroom/WC
• Property in disrepair, with a Category 1 hazard which can be resolved within a reasonable time
• Social housing tenants under-occupying by one bedroom

4. People who need to move on medical or welfare grounds, including grounds relating to a disability.

• where a significant medical need has been agreed with the local authority. A list of criteria for priority to be given on medical and welfare grounds can be found in Appendix 5
• a priority referral has been accepted by the local authority under the Kent Agency Assessment procedure (see 5.4) 

5. Mobility

People who need to move to a particular locality in the district, where failure to meet that need would cause hardship to themselves or to others. For example, to give or receive care, or to take up employment.

Band D - General

Applications from people where none of the above in band A, band B or band C applies, or:

1. People who are adequately housed

Where a household has a local connection and no means to purchase a property but their current accommodation meets their needs.

2. People who are intentionally homeless, or who have failed to cooperate, or who have deliberately worsened their housing circumstances

3. People who are homeless by another local authority

This applies where a duty is owed by another local authority, or who are occupying accommodation secured by another local authority

4. Where the applicant(s) does / do not meet the Band A, B or C housing need criteria.

5. Where band A, B or C applies but they have no local connection with the district

6. Where band A, B or C applies but they have the means to sustain either a mortgage or private rental

Band E - General Without Priority

Applications from people where none of the above in band A, band B or C applies, and:

1. Where the applicant(s) does / do not meet the Band A, B, C or D housing need criteria.

2. They have no local connection with the district, and/or,

3. They have the means to sustain either a mortgage or private rental (see Assessment of Financial Resources).

 

 

Contact Housing

Tel: 01304 872265