Support with maximising Benefits Possible DLA/PIP claims If this identifies that the applicant will not be able to afford the property and would cause financial hardship putting the tenancy at risk the final offer will not be made. If there is other support the Association can offer to enable the applicant to afford the property, the offer may be made with additional clauses to engage with services and support. If support is refused then the offer will be withdrawn. 7.3 PROPETY SIZE CRITERIA Applicants must meet the criteria for the size of property they are applying for in line with the following guidelines. This is to ensure full occupancy of properties and to reduce those under occupying properties avoiding any reduction in Housing Benefit. The Association will allocate in accordance with the Bedroom Allowance under Local Housing Allowance rates:- One bedroom per couple One bedroom person aged 16 or over regardless of sex One bedroom for two children aged 10 to 15 of same sex One bedroom for each aged 10 to 15 years of different sex One bedroom per two children less than 10 years old regardless of sex applicants are working full time and paying full rent we will be flexible with under occupancy of 2 bed flats. (However applicants must be able to demonstrate they have been working in their current job for a minimum of 6 months and provide evidence of this) ASSESSING HOUSING NEED 7.4.1 Before an application can be assessed correctly all the supporting information must be provided, i.e. proof of homelessness, medical information and references. The application will be assessed the Associations banding system and given priority A, B or C. Priority A Homeless, in priority need and vulnerable Severe harassment Clearance and re-development Serious medical cases Under Occupation for applicants wishing to move from family (3 bedroom and above only) homes to 1 or 2 bed apartments. Leaving Forces Serious Disrepair (Cat 1 Hazard) Priority B Overcrowding Medical applications Potentially homeless Less serious harassment Extensive disrepair No fixed abode Move On/Leaving Care Applicants wishing to move for employment reasons Support Reasons Leaving Prison Priority C
8. Appendices 8.1 Appendix 1 –Equality Impact Assessment Policy/Procedure being assessed: Allocation Policy Section: Operations Date of assessment: May 2016 Person (S) Responsible for assessment: Shaheen Yousaf/Tracey Ferguson-Black Is this a new or existing policy? Existing 1. Briefly describe the function being assessed Desktop review of the Allocation policy and procedure 2. Who are the main stakeholders in relation to the function? Tenants, applicants, staff, partner agencies and Board. 3. Who will be consulted as part of this EIA? What types of consultation will be carried out? Staff, Customers, 4. Could the function have a differential impact on racial groups? Yes √ No What evidence exists to support your analysis? Profile data as at June 2015 16.9% of tenants are BME groups. groups may find it difficult to access our service due to language barrier. 5. Could the function have a differential impact due to gender? Yes √ No What evidence exists to support your analysis? Profile data as of June 2015. 59% tenant are female, 39% male, less than 2 % not disclosed. Need to ensure staff are representative of our customer base. We have recruited more male front line staff more recently as previously all frontline staff were female. 6. Could the function have a differential impact on disabled people? Yes √ No What evidence exists to support your analysis? 14.8% of our current tenants have a disability (as of June 2015). Accessibility maybe an issue for those who are housebound or with severe disability. 7. Could the function have a differential impact due to age? Yes √ No What evidence exists to support your analysis? Properties that have an age restriction due to letting policy may be challenged. 8. the function have a differential impact due to sexuality? Yes No √ What evidence exists to support your analysis?