WAITING LIST ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Age

Applicants should normally be at least 18 years of age.
However, the Association will accept applications to join the waiting list from persons 16 years and over.
Where accommodation is allocated to persons under 18 it will be by way of An Introductory (Assured Shorthold) Tenancy Agreement. The conditions for occupation being the same that apply to all Tenants.

Local Connection

The Association has homes in Shropshire. Apart from applicants who have special circumstances, applicants will only be admitted to the waiting list where they meet either the residential requirements or equivalent pointing requirements of the Local Authority in whose area they wish to live.

Special Circumstances

Applicants who have a genuine need to move to an area where the Association has homes will be admitted to the waiting list. When submitting their application, supporting letters should be provided to confirm that special circumstances exist.

Examples of special circumstances are:

  • a need to care for family or dependants

  • a need to receive care and support either from family, friends or other welfare organisations 

  • to provide family support to chronically sick or disabled persons

  • to escape domestic violence or harassment

  • to take up employment, or employed in the area

  • service personnel/ex-offenders returning to an area where they had previously been permanent residents for more than 5 years

  • applicant(s) have been away in full time education

  • a wish to move to a neighbouring Local Authority and currently live within 10 miles. Period of residence meets Local Authority local connection requirement where currently living.

Key Workers

Applicants who need to live in an area to assist in the creation of other jobs are identified as 'key workers' and will be referred to the relevant Local Authority for consideration through the nominations process.

Support Agencies Recommendation

The Association works closely with a range of Agencies who help people who need housing. Such Agencies include Social Services, Education and Health Departments, Probation and Welfare Rights Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Women's Aid and Shelter. If you are being assisted by such an Agency you should ask them to provide a letter of support to accompany your application.

No Fixed Abode

To apply the Housing Need Points Scheme, applicants will have to give a contact address. Applicants without a home will be considered in acute housing need, and will also be referred to the Local Authority for assistance. Nomination/Referral arrangements are in place with Local Authorities where we have homes. Applicants without a home will be awarded a pre-determined level of points and be prioritised for assistance.

Will NOT be considered for accommodation

Persons who, up to 5 years before their application was made, or subsequently have:

  • been evicted by any Registered Social Landlord, ie Housing Associations , or a Local Authority, for a breach of tenancy conditions

  • been convicted of criminal acts taking place within any Registered Social Landlord's or Local Authority's property or acts aimed at any Registered Social Landlord's or Local Authority's property, Staff, Tenants or neighbours

  • left any Registered Social Landlord's property owing more than 8 weeks rent, unless the debt has subsequently been repaid.

Points System

A points system is used to prioritise housing applications, ie the Housing Needs Points Scheme. Points are awarded for a wide range of housing need indicators. A summary of these indicators and how individual applications have been pointed should be sent to applicants within 20 working days of receiving their application.

In order to give applicants an indication of whether or not they will receive an offer of accommodation, a threshold pointing level is set annually, for areas where the Association has homes. The points threshold levels are included with the application form. Applicants who do not receive sufficient housing need points to get above the threshold level are not admitted to the waiting list.

Apply for Housing

The Association produces a comprehensive Housing Applicants Information Pack that includes information on how allocations are made, the role of housing associations, the nomination process, threshold points levels, where our homes are located, and an application form. Application packs are readily available from Head Office and Area Offices or by completing our on-line request form.