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| Ayrshire Housing |
| Hanover Housing |
| Link Housing |
| Margaret Blackwood |
| Trust Housing |
| West of Scotland |
Link Housing Association
Background Link Housing Association is a voluntary non-profit making organisation. It is registered with Scottish Homes and the Registrar of Friendly Societies and is a Scottish Charity. Since its formation in 1962, it has provided over 6,000 houses in many parts of the country and presently owns more than 5,000 properties. Link Housing provide a comprehensive range of accommodation and services, focusing on general needs accommodation to rent which is “affordable” to people on limited incomes and on supported accommodation for older people, young single people and people with learning disabilities or mental health problems. In South Ayrshire the association provides general needs accommodation in a development of 34 flats and houses in Moor Park Crescent, Prestwick. How to apply Link Housing Association accepts applications from any person or persons aged over 16 years of age, who are in housing need. To apply you will be required to complete an application form, available by writing to or phoning:
Mile End Mill
Unit 1005/1010 12 Seedhill Rd Paisley PA1 1JS Tel : 0845 1400100 Fax : 01324 417184 E-mail: linkhousing@linkhousing.co.uk Website: www.linkhousing.co.uk Following your application, Link staff will process your form and allocate points according to the Association’s points system (see below). Nominations from the council The association has an agreement whereby South Ayrshire Council can nominate applicants from their waiting lists. This agreement operates for 50% of the association’s vacancies. The council will usually automatically nominate people on their waiting lists who have chosen the same area, size and type of accommodation that the association has vacancies in. You are therefore advised to apply to the council for re-housing as well as to Link. You should also make the council aware that you are interested in Link properties. Location & Stock The association owns and manages 34 general needs properties for rent in Moor Park Crescent, Prestwick. These properties comprise:
Rent Levels
Examples of rent levels for Link Housing Association properties in Prestwick (2000-2001) are:
Allocations Policy
Empty properties are allocated on the basis of housing need from the following sources: Link H.A waiting list, which includes:
When you apply to Link Housing Association, your application will be put on a housing list appropriate to the size of house you are eligible for. Points System To ensure that all applications are treated equally and fairly, points will be awarded based on your current housing circumstances. The Association only allocates a small number of houses every year and will only be able to offer to those in the greatest housing need. Applicants with a low points total may not be accepted on to the association’s waiting list since they will not be able to be housed in the foreseeable future. The number of points awarded is based on various categories of housing need, shown in the table below.
Assessment Process Once your application has been received by the association, it will be assessed by staff at the Glasgow area office. At this stage we will send out a medial questionnaire and for references from your current or previous landlord where appropriate. If your application is accepted, your name will be placed on the lists for the house types and areas which you have requested. The more points you are awarded the higher your name will be on the list. If two or more applicants have the same number of points, priority is given to the applicant who applied first. If your application cannot be accepted, due to your not having enough points, you will be given an explanation for this which you can appeal if you disagree. If you do not get enough points to be accepted onto the waiting list, you can reapply if your circumstances change. Points Thresholds Link does not currently operate a points threshold for properties in Moor Park Crescent. Offers The speed with which you are offered a property depends on a number of factors, including; the number of points you are awarded, the number of people on the list for any area or house type, and the number of houses that become available. The association only allocates a small number of houses each year and therefore it is very difficult to predict when you might receive an offer of housing. Before any offer of housing is made the association will carry out a home visit to verify your circumstances and to answer any questions you might have. Applicants can refuse 1 offer of housing without being penalised. However, any applicant who refuses a second offer of housing, without good reason, will have their application cancelled and will not be allowed to re apply to the association for a period of 1 year. H.O.M.E.S Mobility Scheme If you are a current tenant of another public sector landlord (i.e. Council, Housing Association or R.S.L) you may be eligible to be referred to Link Housing Association by your current landlord. Contact you landlord for further information. Transfer Applications Link Housing Association tenants whose homes do not meet their housing needs can apply for a transfer to another association property. Applications will normally only be considered from tenants who have held their tenancy for a minimum of one year, unless the housing need has arisen through:
Applicants will normally only be considered if they have had clear rent accounts for at least 6 months. In addition, tenants who have a history of anti-social behaviour will not generally be considered for a transfer unless it is believed that this is due to a clash of lifestyles which could be resolved by such a move. In the instance of relationship breakdown, the partner whose changed household circumstances will best “fit” the existing tenancy will normally be required to remain there and the Association will re-house the other partner in broadly equivalent accommodation. Exceptions will be made in circumstances such as domestic violence or other reasons where the operation of this policy would cause undue hardship. A separate quota of 30% of housing becoming available will operate for tenants who wish to transfer. If, however, a transfer applicant has enough points to put them at the top of the waiting list they will not be considered as part of the transfer quota. |
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