The properties on Home Connections will usually have a number of people express an interest in them. Usually only six families will be shortlisted for studio flats, 1bedroom and 2bedroom homes. Homes with 3bedrooms and above, usually three households are shortlisted. When the Allocations Team are shortlisting, they ensure the number of bedrooms is suitable.
Sometimes accessible homes, properties that are suitable for those who have a disability, are advertised on Home Connections. In these instances, Allocations officers will give a preference to households who need these types of homes, for example E+- home with minimal steps, E- home with level access. This is to ensure as much as possible, the households that need that type of home the most are given the opportunity to view, ahead of other groups.
Some homes may be advertised with a preference to a particular priority group. For example, preference will be given to ‘Homeless household in temporary accommodation’ or preference may also be given to ‘Households living in Overcrowded’ conditions. Preferencing homes to particular priority groups is done to ensure that that group is given an enhanced opportunity to be shortlisted. This is in line with the Council’s Housing Rehousing Plan to ensure that there is a fair representation of households across the different priority groups.