Housing Allocations Policy

The Scheme: General Information

INTRODUCTION

The rules and procedures in this Allocations Policy apply to the allocation of all houses owned by South Ayrshire Council and let by the Head of Regeneration and Housing.

The Policy took effect on 1 February 1993 under Kyle and Carrick District Council and was adopted by South Ayrshire Council on 1 April 1996.

The policy has been amended to take into account the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Council reserves the right to change the policy at any time, but will consult with interested and relevant parties before doing so.

Copies of this document are available for members of the public to view at any of the

South Ayrshire Council acknowledges its duty in terms of The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Section 106, to encourage equal opportunities. Practices will be implemented which will endeavour to prevent, eliminate or regulate discrimination against anyone. The Council in the execution of this policy will promote equal opportunities for all applicants in line with the corporate race equality policy.

Any documentation will be made available on request in different languages and formats.

This policy has been developed in consultation with our tenants, service users and key stakeholders.


HOW TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Applicants shall complete an application form. The forms are available from the Area Offices:

Staff at Area Offices can advise and assist applicants in completing the form.

The Council shall acknowledge applications within 3 working days.

Applicants must provide their birth certificate (or other proof of age) and two forms of proof confirming the address of their permanent and principal home; this will include, but is not limited to:

• Official correspondence from a local authority, public agency, public or private utility (gas, electricity, water, telephone), government department, bank or building society
  
• Current driving licence
  
• Current National Health Service card

Applicants who are accepted for housing on one of the Council’s waiting lists will receive details of the points awarded and the effective date of their application.

Applicants must notify the Council of any change in their circumstances. If they fail to do this their application may be cancelled or any offer of a property may be withdrawn.

WAITING LISTS

Admission To The Lists

Anyone aged 16 years or over who applies for housing will be added to one of the waiting lists. However, only those applicants who meet the criteria outlined below will be considered for offers of housing, providing that they meet all other rules outlined in this policy.

Eligibility For Housing

The applicant shall either:

be 16 years or over and be a permanent resident in South Ayrshire (see notes below)

or, if living outwith South Ayrshire:

• is employed in South Ayrshire or
• has accepted an offer of employment in South Ayrshire or
• is unemployed and actively seeking employment in South Ayrshire or
• wishes to move to South Ayrshire to be near a relative or carer or
• has exceptional social or medical reasons for moving to South Ayrshire or
• wishes to move to South Ayrshire because of harassment or
• wishes to move to South Ayrshire because he/she runs the risk of domestic violence
  

Notes

Permanent residence in South Ayrshire
The applicant's only or principal home must be in South Ayrshire. If at a later date the applicant moves outwith South Ayrshire, his/her application shall be cancelled unless he/she fulfils one of the criteria set out in section 'Who is Eligible' above.

Employed in South Ayrshire
An applicant who lives outwith South Ayrshire, but who works in the district, will provide a letter from his/her employer when he/she applies for housing and again when offered housing. The applicant’s base of employment must be in South Ayrshire. The Divisional Housing Manager will determine applications made under this criterion

Offered employment in South Ayrshire
The applicant will supply a copy of a written offer of employment in South Ayrshire when he/she applies for housing and again when offered housing. The applicant’s base of employment must be in South Ayrshire. The Divisional Housing Manager will determine applications made under this criterion.

Unemployed and actively seeking employment in South Ayrshire
The applicant will demonstrate that moving to South Ayrshire would significantly enhance his/her job prospects. The applicant will provide evidence that he/she has been actively seeking employment in South Ayrshire, for example, by registering with a Job Centre and/or employment agency in South Ayrshire. The applicant must be unemployed or in temporary employment when he/she applies for housing. The Divisional Housing Manager will determine applications made under this criterion

An applicant who wishes to move to South Ayrshire to be nearer a relative or carer
The relative shall be a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece and relationships by marriage and half-blood as defined by section 108 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. The relative or carer shall provide a letter supporting the application. The Divisional Housing Manager shall determine applications made under this criterion.

Exceptional social or medical reasons
The Divisional Housing Manager shall determine applications made under this criterion.

An applicant who wishes to move to South Ayrshire because they are subject to conduct amounting to harassment

The Divisional Housing Manager will determine applications made under this criterion with reference to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Chapter 40

An applicant who wishes to move to South Ayrshire because he/she runs the risk of domestic violence

The Divisional Housing Manager will determine applications made under this criterion with reference to section 33 (3) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.