Home Choice Lincs uses a banding scheme to prioritise applications. Banding is based on the needs of the applicant and whether or not their current accommodation is suitable. Please note we may ask for evidence to be provided.
To view a copy of the full joint allocations policy please go to the home page.
Band 1: Urgent Housing Need
A) People losing their home due to a recognised regeneration scheme within any one of the local authorities within the sub-region.
- This includes registered social landlord tenants, private tenants and owner-occupiers living within the boundary of a defined regeneration area who are required to move home
- People living-in with the main householder/s who require their own accommodation, provided they have lived there, as their sole or main home, for at least 12 months
B) People assessed as statutorily homeless and in priority need.
- People who have been accepted as statutorily homeless or threatened with homelessness within 28 days and in priority housing need and where the main homeless duty is owed (Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996). Where there is an urgent need because of an imminent risk of violence, a direct offer may be made without advertising as part of this scheme.
C) People who need to move on urgent medical grounds
Examples include:
- People in hospital who cannot be discharged because no suitable accommodation is available
- People with a physical or sensory disability who are unable to access their home or essential facilities within it and who have requested a move as an alternative to home adaptation
D) People who need to move on urgent welfare grounds
- Applicants with care or support needs, or other social needs, which may not require ongoing care and / or support.
- People with learning disabilities who are assessed as having to move in order to receive care and support or where their current housing is having a detrimental affect on their quality of life and ability to live independently.
- A householder with a child in need (as defined in the Children Act 1989), where a formal referral has been made by Social Services with the aim of safeguarding the welfare of the child.
- Children leaving the care of the local authority under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
- Adoptive parents or prospective adoptive parents who need to move due to their current accommodation being unsuitable or who need to move to a different location to safeguard or promote the well-being of the child or children they have adopted or are planning to adopt.
- People who are fostering children as part of a long-term arrangement and who need a larger home.
- People leaving local authority care following a referral from social services e.g. people leaving rehabilitative care to return to independent living.
Band 2: High Housing Need
A) People living in overcrowded conditions who are 3 or more bed spaces short of requirements.
- Overcrowding is assessed on the number of people within the household and according to the best use of bedrooms and sleeping spaces available.
B) People assessed as being in priority need and at risk of losing their home
C) People assessed as being unintentionally homeless but not in priority need
D)People who need to move due to a high medical need
- People who have been assessed as having a medical condition or a disability where a move to suitable alternative accommodation would significantly improve their health. For example, frail elderly people who need single level accommodation, or need the support of a resident or mobile warden service.
- People with a medical condition or disability who are assessed as having to move in order to receive care or support will be allowed to bid for homes with an additional bedroom in order to provide sleep-in for a carer, providing the property is not needed to meet the needs of a larger household.
E) Social housing tenants of the partner landlords that are under-occupying a house by 2 or more bedrooms
F) People with a child or children under the age of 10 or women who are 28+ weeks pregnant, occupying accommodation above 3rd floor level
Band 3: Other Housing Needs & Efficient Use of the Housing Stock
A) People who need to relocate
- People who apply to move to a particular locality within the sub region in order to take up an offer of employment, education or training, or to be nearer to family or friends in order to give or receive support.
B) People who have succeeded to a tenancy and who have a need or expressed wish to move to alternative accommodation
C) Relationship breakdown or divorced Partners with shared child care
- Those requiring housing following a relationship breakdown and others who have shared access to children (involving two or more overnight stays in a week on average) who are occupying accommodation, which is insufficient for looking after the children.
- An applicant with access to children will normally only be considered eligible for a suitably sized flat, unless a house becomes available for which there is no demand.
D) People who are 1 or 2 bed spaces short of requirements
E) People sharing facilities
- Applicants who are sharing facilities with another household. For example a young couple expecting a baby who are living with parents
F) Intentionally homeless households
- People who have been assessed by one of the councils housing advice teams as being intentionally homeless and in priority need.
G) People occupying insanitary housing or otherwise living in unsatisfactory housing conditions
- Determination of insanitary or unsatisfactory conditions as assessed by the relevant local authority for the area in which the property is situated.
Band 4: No or Low Level Housing Need
- People assessed as having no identified housing need or only a low level of need. For example, a person whose current home is adequate to meet their basic needs.
