Your Choice - Banding Information
Clarification of Criteria for Bandings |
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Please note that you will only be in one band at any point in time even if you
also have a need which meets the criteria of other bands e.g. statutory
homeless and medical will be band 1.
Although anyone can apply, you will need to be already living in the Lichfield
district or be able to demonstrate a connection with the district to be placed
in Bands 1 to 3. Examples include close family living in the district, a job in
the district, the need to care for, or receive care from someone who lives in
the district.
If someone deliberately worsens their housing situation in order to obtain
housing they will be placed into band 3 or 4.
Click these links for information on each band -
BAND 1
BAND 2
BAND 3
BAND 4
Property subject to a Closing Order
Confirmation of closing order from Lichfield District Council to be provided to
HomeZone Living.
Homeless Duty
Copy of determination letter from Lichfield District Council which states that
they have a statutory duty to assist the applicant in obtaining housing.
Lack of facilities
If the accommodation currently occupied does not have access to hot water
supply, bathroom, inside toilet or kitchen, e.g. bed and breakfast, hostels,
caravans, or would be considered unfit for habitation.
Parents forced to live apart
Evidence or reason must be supplied as to why the parents of dependent children
are forced to live apart. If it could reasonably be expected for both parents
to live in either of the homes that they occupy, they will not be included in
band 1.
Child separated from parents
Evidence must be provided as to the reason the child cannot occupy the current
home of the parent, and that they will live as a family unit if suitable
accommodation is allocated.
High medical priority
Documentation from professional agencies is required to substantiate that the
current housing is totally unsuitable for occupation due to the medical
condition of the applicant. Examples of this are that a wheelchair user
occupies a home where facilities are upstairs and therefore inaccessible, where
an applicant is due to be discharged from hospital and their current
accommodation is totally unsuitable. Referrals will also be taken from mental
health professionals should the current housing be having a severe effect on an
applicant's mental well being.
Domestic violence referrals
Applicants who have endured domestic violence can be referred by professional
agencies, i.e. police or a refuge. Domestic violence would refer to any person
being physically or mentally abused by a partner or relative with whom they
currently reside and for whom the use of an injunction or other form of legal
action is not appropriate.
Harassment including racial
This covers applicants other than HomeZone Living tenants (see management moves, page
6) who are referred by statutory agencies, e.g. police or Local Authority, as
they are enduring harassment, and for whom the use of injunctions or other
legal action is inappropriate, and who are therefore unable to remain in their
current home. Harassment implies a degree of deliberate intent with some
underlying motive and can be distinguished from neighbour disputes or
nuisance. Harassment includes action on grounds of age, sex, religious
beliefs, sexual orientation, political views, marital or social status and
racial harassment on the grounds of colour, race, nationality or ethnic or
national origins.
Statutory Overcrowding
Copy of report from Local Authority stating current property overcrowded
according to statutory definition.
Vulnerability (special needs)
This covers applicants who are referred by professional agencies as vulnerable
and whose current housing is unsuitable and affecting their vulnerability to
the point where it is having a detrimental effect on their quality of life.
Detailed reports would be required from a professional agency to substantiate
that the applicant could not reasonably remain in their current home.
Homeless - no statutory duty
Applicants who provide proof of their homelessness, including those leaving
institutions or tied accommodation and for whom there is no statutory duty for
Lichfield District Council to assist in re-housing.
Under-occupation
Applicants who currently rent a property from a Registered Social Landlord and
the property is within the Lichfield District and currently under-occupy by two
or more bedrooms. The criteria for under-occupation will be based on that for
overcrowding.
Overcrowding
Where an applicant is currently residing in a property and there is evidence of
overcrowding. Overcrowding is based on the standard that a separate bedroom is
needed for each of the following:
Applicant and spouse/partner
No more than two children under 8 years
No more than two single males over 8 years
No more than two single females over 8 years
Expected child where no bedroom available
A person whom the District Community Physician or General Practitioner
considers should sleep in a room alone and will undertake to do so.
Sharing facilities
Where an applicant has to share a kitchen, living room, WC and bathroom with
other occupants and the occupants are not immediate family members.
Vulnerability (special needs)
Where some form of vulnerability has been highlighted by professional agencies,
and it is apparent it is being affected by the current housing situation e.g.
learning difficulties.
To receive or provide support
If an applicant currently lives outside the district and needs to move to
receive or provide support to a close family member who resides in the
Lichfield District.
Also applicants who currently live in the district who need to move to give or
receive support within a different part of the district.
Medical
Where an applicant's mental/physical health is being affected by their current
housing.
Access to work
Applicants who work within the Lichfield District and currently live outside of
the district.
No need/None of the above needs, but with a local connection
Any applicant who would be considered suitably housed but would like to be re-
housed, and has a connection with the Lichfield district. This means currently
living in the district or with a close relative who lives in the district, ie
mother, father, sister, brother, daughter or son.
No local connection
Applicants who live outside the Lichfield District may demonstrate some need
for re-housing, but do not have a connection to Lichfield district e.g. through
family, work or the need to give or receive care.
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