Allocations and Letting Policy (Supported Housing)

1. INTRODUCTION
   1.1 This policy explains the approach we take in allocating and letting our properties.
2. POLICY STATEMENT
   2.1 As a small social housing provider of supported accommodation, we are committed
   in ensuring the process of letting our properties is as efficient and transparent as
   possible. In doing so we work in partnership with local authorities and other
   agencies to meet local housing need and prevent homelessness. We aim to
   empower vulnerable residents to sustain their tenancies by effectively and
   responsibly letting our homes.
3. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
   3.1 3.2 White Cliffs Community Housing Association has an obligation to assist local authorities so
   far as it is reasonable, to offer accommodation to people in priority need under the
   local authority letting schemes.
   o The Housing Act 1996 (As amended) – Part 6
   o The Housing Act 1985
   o The Homelessness Act 2002
   o The Homelessness reduction Act 2017
   o Immigration Act 2014
   o Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016
   o Welfare reform Act 2012
   o Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR)
   o Equalities Act 2010
   o Housing Regulators Tenancy Standard
   o The localism Act 2011
   o Human Rights Act 1998
   This policy and associated procedures also comply with the Regulator of Social
   Housing (RSH) Tenancy Standard.
   
4. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
   4.1 This policy applies to the allocation and lettings of properties owned and managed
   by White Cliffs Community Housing Association.
   4.2 The objective of this policy is to allocate rented properties to make best use of the
   available housing stock, support the long-term sustainability of tenancies and
   communities and to meet our requirements in assisting local authorities in their
   housing duties.
5. NOMINATIONS AND REFERRALS
   5.1 White Cliffs Community Housing Association will request and accept nominations and
   referrals from our partners in accordance with the nominations agreements and
   eligibility criteria set out within this policy.
   5.2 Each nomination and referral will be carefully considered before an offer of housing
   is made in order to ensure that the property is suitable for the proposed occupier.
   We may need to request additional information from the nominating local authority,
   statutory agency or referral charity to support a nomination. Additional information
   will include, but not be limited to medical evidence, risk assessments, previous
   tenancy history and/or criminal history checks.
   5.3 White Cliffs Community Housing Association will conduct an internal risk assessment which
   may include carrying out further checks to ensure that the property is suitable, and
   the right level of support can be provided.
   5.4 When considering whether an applicant with a history of unacceptable
   behaviour/tenancy conduct should be offered accommodation, White Cliffs Community Housing Association will consider the nature of the behaviour/conduct, when
   it took place, and whether or not there has been any change in circumstances which
   demonstrates that the applicant has amended their behaviour and would be likely
   to sustain a tenancy and meet all the obligations of the licence agreement.
   5.5 Before an offer of accommodation is made White Cliffs Community Housing Association
   will conduct a risk-based needs assessment with the applicant. This will take place
   within 10 working days of the initial referral.
   5.6 Where an application is assessed as suitable, an offer of accommodation will be
   made directly to the applicant. White Cliffs Community Housing Association will also notify
   the relevant agency of the outcome of the application.
   
   5.7 A support planning session with an allocated Support Worker will be arranged
   within 48 hours of the offer of accommodation being accepted by the applicant.
   5.8 Applicants must engage with the support offered as a condition of the licence
   agreement.
6. UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS
   6.1 Where an allocation of a property is not suitable the nominating local authority
   and/or the applicant will be advised the reasons for this.
   6.2 Reasons for rejecting an application may include the following:
   o The property not being suited to the physical needs of the applicant and
   adaptations not being feasible.
   o The applicant requiring a level of support and/or care that cannot be provided
   by White Cliffs Community Housing Association and is not available to the applicant
   through other organisations.
   o The applicant requiring support and/or care that is available through either
   White Cliffs Community Housing Association or another organisation but the applicant
   is unwilling to engage with the support.
7. APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS
   7.1 Applicants who disagree with the decision to reject an application can request a
   review of the decision by the Regional Manager of the relevant support provider.
   7.2 An applicant can also make a complaint direct to the Operations Manager at
   White Cliffs Community Housing Association, if they are dissatisfied with the service
   received or a service failure by us.
8. ELIGIBILTIY CRITERIA
   8.1 White Cliffs Community Housing Association takes its obligation to assist the local authority
   in its housing duty seriously and will undertake this obligation in all reasonable
   circumstances in accordance with the Housing Act 1996. However, there are
   circumstances in which applications will be rejected, these include, but are not
   restricted to:
   o Applicants who are under the age of 18.
   o Applicants who owe money to White Cliffs Community Housing Association or care provider
   partners.
   o Applicants who have outstanding rent arrears with their previous landlord and there is
   no active payment plan in place.
   o Applicants who have previously been evicted from a White Cliffs Community Housing Association property.
   o Applicants who have been involved in serious antisocial or criminal behaviour that
   would be deemed a breach of tenancy (had they held a tenancy). Convictions spent
   under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will not be taken into account for the
   purpose of such assessment.
   o Applicants who have abandoned a White Cliffs Community Housing Association property
   o Applicants who have been successfully prosecuted for tenancy fraud
   o Applicants whose current property is kept in a poor condition as a result of damage by
   the applicant or any visitors to the property.
   o Applicants have a specific support need(s) that cannot be met by White Cliffs Community Housing Association or another organisation and it is likely that the lack of support may result
   in the tenancy failing.
   o Applicants who do not meet specific criteria for the property outlined in this policy, for
   example, an age restriction or a local lettings policy.
   o Applicants where an affordability assessment has failed.
9. TEMPORARY ALLOCATIONS
   9.1 Temporary allocations of property will not be considered an allocation of property
   under this policy. For example, where an existing tenant has been decanted to an
   alternative property on a temporary basis.
10. TRANSFERS
    10.1 White Cliffs Community Housing Association will consider transfers application from
    residents who meet the following eligibility criteria below and whose current home
    is no longer suitable for their needs.
     Have complied with the terms of their licence agreement.
     Have no outstanding debts with White Cliffs Community Housing Association or our
    support providers.
     Have completed a successful affordability assessment.
     Have completed a successful risk-based needs assessment.
    
    10.2 In specific circumstances, we will consider requests to transfer where a
    resident does not fulfil all the criteria above.
11. EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
    11.1 In writing this policy we have carried out assessment to ensure that we are
    considering, equality, diversity and inclusion. Our assessments did not indicate that
    any group had been adversely impacted by our approach to allocations.
    11.2 We have also carried out a privacy impact assessment as information regarding
    applicants is sensitive. However, responsible information sharing plays a key role
    in the letting of our homes. We follow information sharing protocols with local
    authorities and our partner where they in place.
    11.3 To request copies of these assessments, please complete our contact form.
12. RELATED INTERNAL POLICIES
    o Equality and Diversity policy
    o Health and safety policy
    o Complaints policy and procedure
    o General Data Protection policy
    o Tenant Involvement policy
    o Anti-social Behaviour policy
    o Tenancy Management Policy
13. CONSULTATION
    13.1 This policy will be reviewed in consultation with White Cliffs Community Housing Association residents.
14. REVIEW AND APPROVAL
    14.1 This policy will be reviewed at least every two years as required to take into account
    changes in legislation.
    Responsible officer: Raj Khalid
    Policy Author: Raj Khalid
    Policy version:1 .0
    Date of SMT Approval: June 2025
    Date the next review is due: June 2027