Housing Allocations policy

Why is the council changing the way it allocates houses?

In changing the Housing Allocations policy we aim to make the way we allocate
houses fairer. Different types of applicants on the housing register will gain a
more balanced access to housing. The model aims to be more transparent and
accountable.

Who has been involved in the development of the new policy?

Tenants & Residents Organisations, applicants, independent Advice providers

and staff all contributed to the development of the Housing Allocations Policy.

When will the council start using the new policy?

The new Policy will be implemented from 6 April 2010.

How will my priority for housing be decided under the new policy?

The Housing Allocations Policy is a Group plus Points allocations model. In this
model applicants will be placed in one of four groups, depending on their current
housing circumstances. The groups are:

Homeless applicants - all applicants assessed as having a priority need for

housing in accordance with Homeless legislation.

Transfer Applicants - all current West Dunbartonshire Council tenants on the

housing register.

Strategic Housing Need/Redevelopment - All WDC tenants and tenants of

landlords working in partnership with the council, affected by
regeneration/redevelopment programmes

General Housing List - all other applicants on the WDC Housing list.

What are the advantages of a Group Plus Points Allocations Model?

-It addresses specific housing need as outlined in legislation.

-It provides more balanced access opportunities.

-It more accurately reflects the change in who applies to and is housed by the
Council.

-It enables the council to more effectively monitor its allocation practices in
relation to its legal responsibilities.

-It assists with the promotion of sustainable communities.

Each group will be allocated an agreed percentage of available properties. The

percentage will be agreed on an annual basis but can be adjusted throughout the
year to meet specific housing need.
 What is this year’s agreed percentage letting targets?

The targets for 2010/11 are,

Homeless 50 %
Transfer 13 %
General 27 %
Strategic 10 %

How has the Points Structure changed?

Category 1
Insecurity of Tenure o Notice To Quit 25
o Tied Accommodation 25
o Regeneration 25
Category 2
Medical and Disability o A 100
o B 35
o C 10
Category 3
Facilities Lacking Amenities
o No bathroom 10
o No kitchen facilities 10
Sharing Amenities
o Kitchen 10
o Bathroom 10

Category 4 Overcrowding 35
House Size Under occupation 20
Multi story flats for children under 16 10
Category 5
Social/Relocation Social/Family Support 10
Incoming Worker 5

If I am already on the Council’s housing register, do I need to re-apply ?

No. Your points will be recalculated in accordance with the new policy and you
will be notified of your new points total and which allocation group you are in.

What will happen to my current housing need points ?

All existing applicants will have their points recalculated in accordance with the
new policy and you will be notified of your new points total. We aim to notify all
current applicants of their new points during April.

Will existing applicants need to apply for new points categories?

Yes, existing applicants will need to apply for the new points categories. i.e.
Social/family support points and incoming worker points if they feel they fit their
circumstances. A specific application form will be available.

Are there any restrictions on the number of lettings areas I can apply for?
No. Unlike the previous policy, there are no restrictions on the number of areas
you can apply for.

What size of property can I apply for?

In general you will be able to apply for a particular size of house based on the
size of your household. The number of bedrooms you will be entitled to will be
calculated as follows:

Household Size Accommodation Size

Single person Bedsit or 1 bedroom
property
Couple 1 or 2 bedroom property
Single parent or couple with one child 2 bedroom property
Single parent or couple with two children
- both aged under 10 2 bedroom property
- one or both aged 10 or over 3 bedroom property
Single parent or couple with three children
- if two able to share a room(aged under 10) 3 bedroom property
- none able to share a room 4 bedroom property
Single parent or couple with four children
- if all children able to share rooms 3 bedroom property
- if two children able to share a room 4 bedroom property

- if none able to share a room 4 bedroom property

(Maximum size available)
Expectant Mother
- treated as two or more dependent of 2 bedroom property
number of unborn children

Will the length of time I have been on the housing list be considered in the
new policy?

No. You will not be awarded points for the length of time you have been on the
housing list.

Will I still be awarded points if I live in a flat?

No. Living in flats points will only be awarded to families with children under 16
years of age living in multi story flats and who wish to move to alternative
accommodation. These points can only be used when applying for properties
other than multi storey flats.

If I have a medical condition will I be awarded points?

If you have a permanent and long lasting medical condition, and your current
house makes your health condition worse, you can complete a medical priority
assessment form.

One medical award will be given per household based on the highest medical
need within the household.
Who will assess my medical priority ?

Assessments will no longer be made by the Community Medicine Specialist. A

dedicated and trained officer within Housing Services will carry out the medical
assessment based on agreed guidelines.

Will I receive points if I receive/give social or family support?

We will award you social/family support points if you require to be nearer a family
member/ social network to give or receive support.

Social/ Family Support points will only be given if you are moving from one town
within the West Dunbartonshire area, Alexandria, Dumbarton or Clydebank to
another or moving from outwith West Dunbartonshire to give/receive support to
someone within West Dunbartonshire.

Will I receive points if I am moving to West Dunbartonshire for employment

reasons?

We will award points if you are already working in the area and reside more than
30 miles from your place of employment.

Will I receive points if my existing house is overcrowded?

Yes, we will award overcrowding points if your current accommodation is too

small for your needs.

Will I receive overcrowding points if I am leaving my family home?

If you are leaving the family home and still have your own bedroom you will not
qualify for overcrowding points. However you will qualify for sharing amenities
points.

Will I receive points if my property has more bedrooms than I require?

Yes. We will award under occupation points if you are living in a house that has
more bedrooms than you require.