Bradford Housing Allocations Policy Appendix 1: Direct Nominations – Local Lettings Policy

1 Purpose of this policy

1.1 This policy forms part of the overarching Bradford Council Housing Allocations Policy and aims to ensure fair and transparent direct allocation of available general social housing properties to eligible individuals and families in greatest need of affordable and suitable accommodation.

1.2 The policy aims to reduce pressure on statutory temporary accommodation, hospital beds and on Care Leaver accommodation, all causing immense cost pressures and significant barriers to moving these groups onto long term settled accommodation.

1.3 All allocations will be done in accordance with Housing Act 1996, Part 6.

2 Eligibility criteria

2.1 Direct allocations will only be considered for applicants in the following groups:

2.1.1 Applicants in statutory temporary accommodation who are accommodated under a S193 (Housing Act 1996, Part 7).
2.1.2 Applicants who are Care Leavers over 18 years of age, currently accommodated under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and can live independently with or without support.
2.1.3 Applicants who are bed-blocking at a hospital ward due to barriers such as physical needs, they are ready for discharge and can live independently with or without support.
2.2 All applicants must have a Right to Rent.

2.3 Meet age criteria: Applicants must be at least 18 years old. For anyone under 18 a tenancy is held in trust for them, by an adult, landlord or an organisation until they reach the age of 18. This means that an equitable tenancy will be created for the benefit of the young person and will require an appropriate adult, landlord or organisation to act as the tenant. If appropriate the Council may offer a licence rather than a tenancy.

3 Allocations

3.1 The number, type and size of properties offered for direct nominations will depend on the volume and profile of the applicants described in 2.1 above. The Local Authority request for direct nominations from registered providers may increase or decrease depending on demand.

3.2 The Housing Options Team will provide Landlords with quarterly data of the type and size of properties required for direct nominations. The Housing Options Team will notify Landlords when properties are not required for customers in S193 accommodation. Properties that have not been nominated by the Housing Options Team will be advertised on Bradford Homes and will be available for bidding.

3.3 Landlords will identify the following criteria in relation to each property and include this information in the property details input on to the system:

Property type: house, flat, maisonette, bedsit, bungalow
Size of accommodation: number of bedrooms and rooms
Garden: with garden or without garden
Age restricted properties
Sheltered Accommodation
Adaptations
Accessibility: ground level, low rise, high rise (with lift)
Cost: Rent and service charge details
Location: address, postcode and ward
Plus, any other additional information, such as room sizes, car parking facilities etc

Matching process and offers

3.4 Where possible the offer will take into account customers’ preferences, for example, property type and area. In some circumstances this will not be possible, for example in areas where demand for social housing is high and available properties are in short supply.

3.5 Customers who are eligible for a direct letting will normally be made one reasonable offer suitable to their household’s housing needs.

3.6 Bradford Council’s Housing Options Team will use the housing allocations system to create a shortlist of suitable applicants who are placed in statutory temporary accommodation based on the following criteria:

Length of stay in temporary accommodation
Main duty effective date
Suitability of accommodation such as property and household size.
Area preference and property location
Consideration will be given to temporary accommodation applicants to make best use of stock based on mobility / disability needs.

3.7 Any properties not successfully allocated via a direct nomination within 3 working days will be advertised on Bradford Homes choice-based-letting scheme.

4. Review, Appeals and Complaints

Review

Please note that this housing local lettings policy serves as a general framework and may be tailored and adjusted to meet the specific needs and circumstances of each client group.

Appeals

Applicants who disagree with the allocation decision can appeal within 21 days of the decision, providing additional information or evidence to support their case to [email protected].

Complaints

A formal complaints procedure is in place to address any concerns or grievances related to the allocation process, ensuring transparency and fairness.

To raise a formal complaint, visit the make a complaint about Bradford Council page.