Levels of priority

Categories of housing need

We allocate homes based on need and waiting time. We prioritise applicants who:

• are homeless
• have medical issues
• are overcrowded
• are under-occupying their current home
• face disrepair
• experience antisocial behaviour
• are in witness protection
• are under public protection
• have carers
• need to be decanted from their current home
• are foster carers or are safeguarding children
• are young people and care leavers (aged 16 and over, extended to age 24 if in further education)
• face financial hardship
• live in an adapted property but do not need it
• need an adapted property
• live in or need service accommodation
• have children living in blocks
• are part of move-on agencies or key-worker schemes 

Priority bands

We will assess your application. You will be placed into one of the following priority bands based on your housing situation and how urgently you need rehousing:

Critical priority

For applicants in the highest level of housing need. It is given to those with an emergency housing need, or those with an immediate threat such as discharge from hospital, decants, antisocial behaviour threat to life, property condition, serious risk of harm and serious overcrowding.

Urgent priority

For applicants needing quick rehousing. This is to avoid homelessness or a risk to health and safety.

Substantial priority

For important but less urgent needs that require attention.

General needs

For all other applicants that do not have a priority need.

Demotions

If you are given a higher priority due to a need, such as a medical condition or homelessness, your status may change if your situation improves. For example, if you secure temporary housing or your health improves, your application may be demoted to a lower priority status.

If you owe rent or other debts from past social-housing tenancies, your priority status may be lowered. If your priority status is now in the substantial or general needs band, you can set up a repayment plan. You must follow this plan to avoid penalties. 

How priority is determined

Priority awards depend on your circumstances. Please include details about everyone moving with you.

Bids are ordered by their priority level and these factors:

• accumulative need - having multiple priority awards puts you above applicants with one
• time waited - within bands, applicants are ordered by their wait time
• demotions - when demoted, your application is placed at the bottom of the band, determined by the band date
• medical adapted properties are shortlisted differently. Applicants who need adaptations are prioritised over those who don't