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Island HomeFinder
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Prioritising Applications

Applications to Island HomeFinder will be assessed and placed in one of five bands according to their housing needs.  Within each band applications will be placed in priority date order, with the application with the oldest date in the band having the highest priority.  If you would like more information on any of the above, please click here for a copy of the Island HomeFinder allocation policy. 

If your circumstances change and you move bands, your priority date will be changed to the date your housing need was re-assessed. 

 Band  Criteria
 Band 1
  •  Exceptional Circumstances Welfare and Hardship Reasonable Preference cat s.166A(3)(e)
  • Urgent medical or disability. Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3)(d)
 Band 2
  • Severe over occupation (two bedrooms or more) Reasonable Preference cat s.166A (3)(c)
  • Severe under occupation (social tenants resident on the Island) Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3) (e)
  • Severe medical/welfare issues Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3)(d)
  • Additioinal preference 
  • Applicants identified as being ready for ‘move-on’ accommodation from IOW Council accredited schemes and or from local authority care. Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3) (e)
  • Vacating adapted accommodation Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3) (e)
 Band 3
  • Multiples of Band 4
  • Homeless households owed a full homeless duty under s. 193 (2) or 195 (2) Reasonable preference categories s166A(3)(a)
  • Hazardous property condition as defined by the Housing Renewal team. Reasonable Preference cat s.166A (3)(c) 13 November 2019
  • Foster Carers or providers of supported lodging approved by the IOW Council whose housing prevents them from being able to start, or continue, to provide foster care.
  • Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3) (d) and (e)
 Band 4
  • Homeless applicants. Reasonable preference categories s166A(3)(a)
  • Significant medical/welfare issues Reasonable preference cat s.166A(3)(d)
  • Lacking or sharing amenities. Reasonable preference categories s166A(3)(c)
  • Households within insecure accommodation. Reasonable preference categories s166A(3)(a)
  • Minor under occupation (owner occupiers or private rented tenants living on the Island) Reasonable preference categories s166A(3)(c)
  • Minor over occupation (one bedroom) Reasonable preference categories s166A(3)(c)
 Band 5
  • Households with secure accommodation and no other housing need
  • Owner occupiers with housing need but subject to the Income and Asset policy

If you have a medical or welfare need which is being adversely affected by your current housing, then you may be placed into a higher band.  However, some medical and welfare needs will remain whether you are moved to an alternative home or not. In these instances, your medical or welfare need may not be taken into consideration. 

How will this be assessed? 

Any information you have supplied on your application form will be considered against the agreed banding as shown above.  You may be asked to supply additional information and if your need relates to a medical condition we may, if further information is required and with your permission, contact your GP or other healthcare provider for more information.

Once this information has been provided to us, we will assess your need against the allocations policy and determine what level of need you have.

What are the levels of need?

If you have a medical or welfare condition which could have life-threatening consequences and where your current housing conditions are a major contributory factor, you may be placed into the urgent band.

If you have a medical or welfare condition which will result in severe or chronic impairment if you were to remain in your current home, then you may be placed into Band 2.

If you have a medical or welfare condition which is stable and/or persistent but could be more effectively managed in more appropriate accommodation then you may be placed into Band 4 (or band 3 if you already have other band 4 factors being considered).

Hazardous properties

If you have concerns over the condition of your current home and believe you are living in hazardous conditions, please ensure you provide full details to the housing options team. If the condition is considered a hazard as identified through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, then this may be taken into account.  However any concerns over the condition of your home should be directed to your landlord (if applicable) in the first instance. Housing Renewals give further advice on how to deal with problems within your home on the Council's web pages here.

Serious hazards are those which place the residents at risk of death or serious danger. These most serious property conditions may result in your Island HomeFinder application being re-assessed, however, you will be expected to engage with Housing Renewal to remove the hazard or the risk, and therefore it may only be a temporary priority. 

Where can I find more information?

If you would like more information on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, please visit the GOV.UK page here or contact Housing Renewal.

If you disagree with how your application has been assessed, you can request a review of your application by writing to us clearly stating your reasons.  The request for a review should be made within 21 days of the decision and the Council has up to 56 days to complete the review.  

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