Housing - How the banding system works

Sometimes applicants find themselves in such severe living conditions that they have no option but to move straight away. Examples of extreme circumstances are

• witness protection cases
• some hospital discharges or
• a combination of factors from the High Band.

In these extreme circumstances an Emergency Band may be awarded.

The decision as to whether an Emergency Band will be awarded will be taken by the West Norfolk Homechoice Panel. The panel consists of representatives of the Borough Council and of partner Housing Associations.

If Emergency Band is granted, this will give you priority over all other banded applicants of similar household size for a period of three months. You may bid for any property suitable for your family size and circumstances. If you do not bid during this time, then your application will be reassessed, and a decision will be taken as to whether to allow you more time to bid or whether the Emergency Band is to be withdrawn.

If the Emergency Band is withdrawn, then your application would be allocated the priority band that your housing need dictates.

To be included in this band an applicant must meet at least one of the following conditions:

Homeless and owed a ‘main’ duty The council consider that you are in priority need, homeless through no fault of your own and are owed the main homelessness duty (s.193 Housing Act 1996 part 7 as amended). Overcrowding (2+ bedrooms) Your family needs at least 2 or more bedrooms then it has now, or you are sharing a bedroom with your child aged 6 months or over and West Norfolk Homechoice considers that you have no alternative but to share that room.

Under-occupation (2+ bedrooms) You’re already a tenant of a Housing Association within West Norfolk and live in a property that has 2 bedrooms or more than you need. You must wish to move to a smaller more suitable home. Combination of factors of housing need You have been awarded medium medical priority and medium priority for overcrowding. Medical/ Welfare/ Support/ Hardship Your current accommodation is totally unsuitable, and a move is essential to give you some quality of life. High medical priority may be given where:

1. A medical condition is terminal, and rehousing will give some quality of life.

2. A medical condition is life threatening, and the existing accommodation is making the condition worse.

3. Your current housing is so severely affecting their health that it could become life threatening.

4. Your accommodation is so unsuitable that it cannot be adapted or otherwise used in such a way to meet their needs.

5. You have a proven need to move to suitable accommodation within a particular locality of the Borough. Evidence that extreme hardship would otherwise occur must be provided. Severe disrepair or insanitary conditions You have been living for more than 12 months in a private sector property in West Norfolk where continued occupation is due to be prohibited by the Council or where the property is due to be demolished. Supported Housing If you have a local connection to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and have been living in one of our partner Supported Housing Schemes for more than 3 months, then you may be awarded a high band. You will need to demonstrate that:

• You are ready to move to independent accommodation (evidenced by written confirmation from the Supported Scheme Manager)

• You are unable to move on from the Scheme through any other way than the housing register – in other words, you are unable to find and sustain privately rented or other suitable accommodation. If you do not make a successful bid for suitable accommodation within 3 months or refuse a suitable offer, your housing need band may be reassessed.

To be included in this band, you must meet at least one of the following conditions:

Duty to relieve homelessness The council has accepted a ‘relief’ duty to assist you to relieve your homelessness and you have a local connection to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk in accordance with Homechoice policy (s.189 b (2) Housing Act 1996 part 7 as amended). Overcrowding Your family needs one more bedroom than it has now. Under-occupation You are already a tenant of a Housing Association within West Norfolk and live in a property that has one more bedroom than you need. You must wish to move to a smaller more suitable home. Medical/ welfare, support or hardship This may include the following:

• Your current accommodation affects your medical condition to some degree and there is a demonstrable link between your housing, medical condition. The need for re-housing is significant but not overriding.

• You are generally coping with your current situation but with some degree of difficulty and have no alternative ways to improve your situation.

• There are special circumstances (for example severe social or medical needs) why you need to move to suitable accommodation in the Borough or, you (or member of your household) are being seriously and adversely affected by your current accommodation and there is a significant need to move for welfare reasons. Evidence that hardship would otherwise occur must be provided to West Norfolk Homechoice.

• You are a carer / young carer who needs to move to facilitate your independence, or to provide support to a relative. Sharing facilities You are living in a property where you share facilities (bathroom, kitchen or toilet) with people you’re not related to. This includes people living in Supporting Housing Schemes who would not otherwise qualify for a high band. This does not apply to joint tenants.

You will be in this band if one of the following circumstances applies: Duty to prevent homelessness The council has accepted a ‘prevention’ duty to assist you to prevent your homelessness and you have a local connection to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk in accordance with Homechoice policy (s.195 Housing Act 1996 part 7 as amended). Homeless with financial ability to secure own accommodation The Council owes or will owe you a ‘main’ duty as homeless, but you have the financial means to purchase or privately rent accommodation in accordance with Homechoice policy.

Lacking a garden You have a child or children under the age of 12 living in a property with no garden / yard. Children in flats / maisonettes You have a child or children under the age of 12 living in a first-floor dwelling or above. Intentionally homeless You have been found intentionally homeless by the Council’s Housing Options Service. You will remain in Low band for a period of 12 months. Medical/Welfare/ support/hardship You have some medical or welfare needs but there is no significant impact from living in your current home. A move to a more suitable property or location would be of some benefit but there is no overwhelming need.

You be in this band if one of the following circumstances applies:

Adequately housed You live in a property which is adequate for your needs. This applies if you are a tenant of a Housing Association, private landlord or if you own a property. You are adequately housed in the home of a family member. Voluntarily worsened circumstances Your housing circumstances have worsened because of your own actions. You will remain in this band for a period of 12 months.