The Points Scheme
1. Security of Tenure
If your tenancy is for a fixed period of time you will be awarded additional points if you are either:-
| Not under immediate threat of losing your current accommodation |
5 points |
| Under immediate threat of losing your current accommodation |
15 points |
In addition, if the Council has a full duty to you under the Homelessness Act 2002, you will be awarded 50 points on the date the duty is determined and 10 points calendar monthly thereafter.
2. Applicants with Children Under 13
| Living in a flat above ground floor |
10 points |
| Without a garden/enclosed play area |
5 points |
3. Medical Priority
(Awarded after assessment by Clinical Medical Officer)
| Priority 1 |
Medical condition not affected by present accommodation |
0 points |
| Priority 2 |
Medical condition affected minimally by present accommodation |
5 points |
| Priority 3 |
Medical condition affected moderately by present accommodation |
10 points |
| Priority 4 |
Medical condition significantly affected by present accommodation |
20 points |
| Priority 5 |
Medical condition severely but not exceptionally affected by present accommodation |
30 points |
| Priority 6 |
Medical condition severely and profoundly affected by present accommodation |
45 points |
4. Social Needs
| Additional points may be awarded if you need to live in an area for particular social/welfare reasons, e.g. for employment, because of an educational need or to give support to, or receive support from, a relative. The Housing Needs Manager will assess your points award according to your circumstances as given in your application. |
Min. 10 Points |
| Max. 20 points |
5. MOVEUK HOMEMOVE
| Accepted under the moveUK homemove scheme. (No longer operational from January 2007) |
2 points |
6. Transfer Applicants
(for existing Council tenants only)
| Applicants in family accommodation moving to non-family accommodation |
200 points |
| All other transfer applicants |
20 points |
In addition, applicants will be awarded five points per month, (from the date of application), up to a maximum of 75 points.
7. Time on Waiting List
| The Council recognises that some applicants may be on the Waiting List for some time before an offer of housing is made. Points are awarded annually provided that the applicant is awarded points in categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and/or 14. |
2 points per year - max. 10 points |
8. Local Connection
| You will receive points if you have a local connection to the Harrogate Borough Council area. |
50 points |
Please note that the definition of local connection used in the Council's allocations policy has changed.
You will receive an extra 25 points for a local connection to the specific lettings area in which you wish to be rehoused if:
- You currently live in the District/letting area and have done so for at least two years.
- You have previously lived in the District/letting area for a continuous period of 10 years.
- You have close family living in the District/letting area, who have done so for at least the last five years. Close family is defined as children, parents, brothers and sisters only.
- You have permanent employment in the District/letting area.
|
25 points |
9. Separation of Family
| For families living separately due to a lack of suitable accommodation. |
25 points |
10. Disrepair
If your current home is in disrepair, an Officer will carry out an inspection and points are awarded in the following categories:-
| Severe Disrepair - serious damp/water penetration, dangerous wiring, dangerous access/internal stairs etc., demonstrate danger to health and/or safety of the applicant |
30 points |
| Moderate Disrepair - non-functioning heating/hot water facilities, moderate dampness problems, health problems may result |
15 points |
| Low Disrepair - inconvenient and unpleasant but not presenting risk or danger, window/roof repairs, leaking gutters, blocked drains etc. |
5 points |
11. Amenities
Points are awarded if your current home does not have (is lacking) the following facilities or if you are sharing them with other people:-
| |
Points for Facilities Lacking |
Points for Facilities Shared |
| Living Room |
5 |
2 |
| Separate Kitchen |
10 |
5 |
| Separate Bathroom |
10 |
5 |
| Toilet |
20 |
5 |
| Piped Water Supply |
20 |
- |
| Hot Water Supply |
10 |
- |
| Required Number of Bedrooms |
10 |
- |
Applicants lacking one or more bedrooms will also be awarded five points per month, (from the date of application), up to a maximum of 75 points.
12. Expectant Mothers
| If you are expecting a baby you may be given additional points. This would apply if your home was thought to be overcrowded following the birth. |
5 points |
13. Special Case
| In exceptional circumstances discretionary points may be awarded. |
Unlimited |
14. Special Needs
| Points may be awarded if you have special needs due to learning difficulties, mental illness or drugs/alcohol abuse problems. |
Max. 30 points |
15. Savings, Investments and Equity
| Points are awarded to households with insufficient savings, investments and equity to enable them to seek to resolve their own housing needs. Currently points are awarded to households with less than £60,000 savings, investments or equity. |
50 points |