Plymouth Community Homes Tenancy Allocation Policy Including ...

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1.8 Homes can be labelled to state: The household size the property is suitable for Any age restrictions on the property Any relevant local connection criteria on the property If a local lettings policy is in place Any adaptations to the property, and any mobility criteria that apply Any restrictions on pets Any groups of applicants that are being given preference for the property. This may be as a result of PCH’s own policies or following a request from a local authority 1.9 Please see the Devon Home Choice Policy for details. 2. Sheltered and older persons’ housing 2.1 Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) has a range of different types of housing specifically designed for older people, usually those aged 60 years and over. Sheltered housing schemes – this accommodation has staff based on site to support and assist tenants, a 24-hour emergency alarm system, and generally, communal facilities. Some sheltered schemes have been extended to include bungalows in the near vicinity. PCH has 439 homes for rent in this category, comprising 284 flats and 155 bungalows. Older persons’ bungalows – these are mostly linked to the alarm system through which residents can receive assistance in the event of an emergency. These homes will, very occasionally, be used to meet a specific need from an applicant under the age of 60. PCH has 1,248 such homes for rent. 2.2 The alarm system is operated by an independent organisation, CarelineUK, who provide a highly regarded service of routine checks and emergency responses. PCH is one of numerous providers of specialist housing that have contracted with CarelineUK for this service. 2.3 PCH does not currently have any ‘extra care’ schemes, which provide homes for frail older residents who have significantly higher support needs. There are, however, a number of such schemes in Plymouth which are owned by other social landlords. 2.4 Demand for PCH’s sheltered housing and older persons’ bungalows far exceeds supply, though it can sometimes be difficult to find new tenants for smaller sheltered bedsits and bungalows which have poor access. Allocating sheltered housing and bungalows 2.5 People who wish to express a desire to move into sheltered housing or an older person’s bungalow owned by a social landlord in Plymouth must apply to go onto the Council’s Housing Register. From December 2009 this is managed as part of Devon Home Choice, the Devon-wide choice-based letting scheme covering all areas and all significant registered social landlords. 2.6 Applicants will be sent information by the Council about eligibility for sheltered housing in Plymouth along with an application form. Applicants will be required to complete a self assessment form as part of this process, which will identify whether they are likely to meet the support needs requirements of PCH
2.7 Although anyone can apply, only applicants with a clear, demonstrable need for sheltered or older persons’ accommodation will be housed through the Register. 2.8 To be eligible for PCH sheltered housing, applicants must be over 60 years of age, or 55 and over if registered disabled and/or in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. Other factors that will be taken into account when assessing applicants' suitability for sheltered housing include:- All applicants - the applicant’s need for support and wish for sheltered housing Owner occupiers – the amount of financial equity they have in their home (see the section below on financial circumstances). Financial resources of applicants 2.9 The financial resources of applicants will be taken into account when the initial eligibility assessment is undertaken. PCH will not accept applicants with assets (property or savings) in excess of £180,000. It is felt that applicants with more than this can generally meet their needs through private sector sheltered housing providers, such as McCarthy and Stone. Other registered social landlords with sheltered housing may operate different equity levels locally. Prioritisation of applicants 2.10 If an applicant meets the criteria for sheltered housing, their application will be assessed and prioritised based on their housing need. This may involve the consideration of the application by the Council’s older persons’ special needs housing panel. 2.11 The support need will be the primary factor in deciding an application’s ranking against other competing applications, taking into account any pressing housing need. 2.12 The secondary factor in ranking competing applications will be the length of time that the application has been placed in its priority group Bidding for sheltered housing 2.13 In common with applicants for other types of housing, those wanting sheltered housing are required to ‘bid’ for homes that they want to be considered for through Devon Home Choice. It is understood that this might be difficult for some applicants, and assistance and support is available with bidding to ensure that these people are not disadvantaged. Confirmation of eligibility 2.14 Following a successful bid and prior to the offer of accommodation, the applicant will be visited by a PCH Sheltered Housing Officer who will verify their support needs and other application details. They will also complete a pre-tenancy support plan with the applicant. 2.15 An offer may not be made, or may even be withdrawn, if the support needs of the applicant are such that PCH deems that the applicant will be unable to maintain an independent tenancy. In these circumstances, it may, though, be possible to proceed if a tailored care package or floating support can be organised to ensure that the tenancy is likely to be successfully maintained.
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