Choice Based Lettings Strategy

Wakefield City and Rural

delivering promises, improving lives Choice Based Lettings Strategy City and Rural

Contents

Introduction ...... 3 ...... 5 ...... 7 Bretton ...... 9 City Centre ...... 10 Darnley...... 12 Eastmoor...... 13 Hall Green...... 17 Kettlethorpe...... 19 ...... 21 Moorhouse ...... 22 Notton ...... 24 Outwood...... 25 Peacock ...... 27 Primrose Hill...... 29 Sandal...... 31 Stanley ...... 32 Walton...... 34 Woolley ...... 36 ...... 37

delivering promises, improving lives Introduction

Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) will ensure that its housing stock is used effectively to meet the diverse needs of residents of all communities and that its Local Lettings Policy actively assists in the formation of stable, sustainable communities.

The aim of the Wakefield and District Housing Homesearch Lettings Scheme is to offer our customers choice in meeting their housing requirements, while recognising that for some properties preference will be given to certain groups to ensure that best use is made of the social housing.

Wakefield and District Housing will ensure that the housing stock is utilised in the most effective way, so as to meet the needs of the whole community, including those who are most vulnerable or are at risk of social exclusion.

In order to allocate empty homes in a way that offers choice, meets people needs, and promotes the development of sustainable and balanced communities WDH will operate localised policies. These policies will ensure that we are able to develop communities in which people choose to live.

The Local Lettings Strategy will:

• Be fair, none discriminatory and meet the requirements of Regulatory Codes. • Not disrupt the organisations ability to meet the housing needs of the district. • Take account of the differing types of accommodation available within each area. • Take account of Wakefield and District Housings charitable objectives. • Ensure that best use is made of the housing stock.

The localised letting policies will enable WDH to ensure that the estates are managed more effectively and we can develop an area with a well-balanced social mix. We will also be able to provide support to vulnerable tenants in order to ensure that their tenancies are successful and they quickly become integrated into the community.

The policies will also encompass our ability to target estate management, Policing, and partners’ resources in a much more comprehensive way. By introducing and effectively managing these policies we will be creating a cohesive community, which will, in turn, reduce anti social behaviour and deprivation.

delivering promises, improving lives Bedroom Standard

When assessing a property to see if it is a suitable size for a member of Homesearch the Bedroom Standard will be applied. No offers of accommodation will be made where the family size exceeds the Bedroom standard when applied to a property.

The Bedroom Standard is based on the ages and composition of the family. A notional number of bedrooms is allocated to each household in accordance with its composition by age, sex and marital status and relationships of family members. A separate bedroom is allocated to each of the following. • Married or cohabiting couple. • Adult aged 21 years or more, • Pair of adolescents aged 10 to 20 years of the same sex. • Pair of children aged under 10 years regardless of sex

Any unpaired person aged 10 to 20 years is paired, if possible, with a child aged under 10 years of the same sex or, if that is not possible given a separate bedroom. The same applies to any unpaired child aged under 10 years.

This standard is then compared with the number of bedrooms available for the sole use of the household.

Definition of a bedroom

For the purposes of measuring overcrowding it is important that the following definition of bedroom is used.

• Any room that, when built, was intended to be a bedroom is included even if it is not used as such at present and even if it does not have a bed in it. It must have a window. Bedrooms converted to other uses are included unless it has been converted for medical equipment / care; bedrooms not in use are included unless they are uninhabitable. • There must be at least one bedroom. Bedsitters, box rooms and attic bedrooms are included. • Living or parlour rooms or other areas of the house / flat that are used for sleeping, are not included unless they have been adapted to be used as a bedroom. • A simple check is, if the accommodation were put up for sale, how many bedrooms would the owner claim it had?

delivering promises, improving lives Chain Lettings

All advertised properties made available as a result of an under occupying WDH tenant being rehoused will be preferenced to WDH tenants who have been awarded priority for overcrowding or under occupation.

Definition of ‘underoccupying WDH tenant’

‘underoccupying WDH tenants’ means Homesearch members who have been given Band A or B ‘Under Occupation’. Please refer to the Choice Based Lettings Policy for an explanation of when these Bands are awarded.

Advertising

Vacancies will initially be advertised in accordance with the following preference policies. However if this does not result in an appropriate allocation the vacancy may then be allocated/advertised as deemed appropriate by the Area Housing Manager in conjunction with the LMC chair.

Health and Safety

Due to fire risk - WDH will operate a zero tolerance policy to mobility scooters in common areas of low or high rise blocks of flats. No mobility scooters will be allowed to be stored in these blocks. Please contact your local area housing office for more details.

delivering promises, improving lives

Lettings Preference Policy

Properties All Expressions of interest are welcome from with 2 or more those requiring the adaptations and adaptations facilities specific to this property and applicants who meet the criteria set out in the individual local lettings policy. Preference will be given to people who have been assessed by a member of the Special Needs Rehousing team as requiring the adaptations and facilities specific to this property. Bungalows One bedroom Couples and singles. General Need Age 50 and over, with preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then those aged 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants where applicable. Two bedroom Couples, singles, shared households and applicants with one dependant aged 16 or over. Age 50 and over, with preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then those aged 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants where applicable. Three bedroom Families with one to four children Preference given to families with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable. Bungalows One bedroom Subject to an Independent Living Independent Assessment Living Couples and singles. Preference given to age 60 and over, then those with an assessed medical need and then in descending age order. Two bedroom Subject to an Independent Living Assessment Couples and singles. Preference given to age 60 and over, then those with an assessed medical need and then in descending age order. Flats One bedroom Couples and singles. General Need Preference given to under occupying WDH tenants where applicable. Ground floor – Preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then applicants aged 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants where applicable

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 1

Two bedroom Couple, singles, shared households and applicants with one dependent 16 or over.

Preference given to under occupying WDH tenants where applicable. Ground floor – Preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then applicants 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants where applicable. Three bedroom Families with one to four children aged 16 or over.

Preference given to under occupying WDH tenants. Ground floor – Preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then applicants 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants where applicable.

Flats One bedroom Subject to an Independent Living Independent Assessment Living Couples and singles. Preference given to age 60 and over, then those with an assessed medical need and then in descending age order. Two bedroom Subject to an Independent Living Assessment Couples and singles. Preference given to age 60 and over, then those with an assessed medical need and then in descending age order. Bed Sits All Subject to an Independent Living Independent Assessment Living Singles only. Preference given to age 60 and over, then those with an assessed medical need and then in descending age order. Houses Two bedroom Families with one or two children subject to Bedroom Standard, couples .

Three bedroom Families with two to four children subject to bedroom standard

Four bedroom Families with two to six children subject to Bedroom Standard

Five bedroom plus Direct let. Disabled All Direct let. Residence

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 2

Some variations apply to individual estates. The variations include:

• In areas with a shortage of two bedroom houses, larger houses may be opened to families with fewer children. These variances are included in the Lettings Preference Policy sections for the individual estates. • To ensure we meet housing need and maintain sustainable communities, in some properties preference may be given to certain family sizes / types. These variances are included in the Lettings Preference Policy sections for the individual estates. • With some general needs flats, those with an assessed medical need have been given preference, this preference will only apply where the property is suitable for those with a medical priority. Age restrictions have also been applied in some cases. These variances are included in the Lettings Preference Policy sections for the individual estates. • Where flats share a communal entrance with other residents WDH will not allow dogs or cats to be kept in this type of accommodation.

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 3

Area Banding Allocation

The banding system, which will be used by Wakefield and District Housing Homesearch lettings scheme, will ensure that each area has a fairly balanced social mix of residents. This in turn will provide a foundation for the development of a sustainable community.

Details of the banding system are set out in WDH’s Choice Based Letting Policy.

Local Lettings Strategy

The Local Lettings Strategy contained in this document sets out for each estate:

• The proportion of lettings WDH intends to make for each band within each community. • Any other lettings criteria WDH intend to utilise when advertising properties for example, age restrictions. • A small number of properties may be advertised with a preference to members in employment. You are deemed to meet the definition of employed:-

• If you are responsible for a child and work over 16 hours a week. If you are not responsible for a child and work at least 30 hours a week, or • Individuals who have a disability and are currently in receipt of Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance, or • Individuals who are claiming Carers Allowance, or qualify for the underlying payment of Carers Allowance, or • Individuals who are Retired and in receipt of an Occupational Pension or State Pension.

Additional Information

In order to ensure our policies continue to make efficient use of housing stock and be of benefit to the local community we will review them on a regular basis.

Additional support mechanisms will continue to be available to vulnerable tenants in order to successfully manage their tenancies and integrate them into the community.

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 4

Alverthorpe

Alverthorpe is a popular village situated within easy access of motorways and the City centre. The area is in high demand by tenants from a wide variety of social backgrounds and our local lettings policies will continue to ensure that Alverthorpe remains a diverse yet cohesive community.

Property Details

Bungalows Three bedroom 17 Flats One bedroom 7 Two bedroom 18 Houses Two bedroom 22 Three bedroom 75 Independent Living One bedroom flats 34 Housing Two bedroom flats 19

Lettings Preference Policy

The lettings policy ensures that homes are allocated on a fair basis to all those who meet the criteria and Alverthorpe continues to have a diverse community.

Bungalows All one and two bed Age 50 plus, with preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then those aged 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants Three bed Families with one to four children preference to applicants with an assessed medial need and then families Flats All Age 40 plus, with preference to over 60’s or under occupying WDH tenants. Ground floor – Preference to those with an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then those aged 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants Houses Two bedroom Families with one or two children subject to Bedroom Standard, couples Three bedroom Families with two to four children subject to bedroom standard

Independent All Preference to over 60's, then those with an Living Housing assessed medical need and then in descending age order.

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 5

Area Banding Allocation

In order to ensure that each area has a fairly balanced social mix, homes will be allocated in the proportions shown below.

Property Type Band A Band B Band C Houses 15 45 40 Bungalows Applications requested from all bands. Flats Applications requested from all bands. Independent Living Applications requested from all bands. Housing

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 6

Belle Vue

Belle Vue, situated on the outskirts of the city, is home to a diverse community coming from all social backgrounds. It is also home of Wakefield Wildcats .

Property Details

Flats One bedroom 80 Two bedroom 87 Houses Two bedroom 71 Three bedroom 19 Four Bedroom 6

The new localised letting policies will enable WDH to ensure that Belle Vue is managed more effectively and we can develop an area with a well balanced social mix.

Lettings Preference Policy

The lettings policy ensures that homes are allocated on a fair basis to all those who meet the criteria and the area continues to benefit from its diverse community.

Houses Two bedroom Families with one or two children subject to Bedroom Standard, couples and shared households Three bedroom Families with two to four children subject to bedroom standard

Four bedroom Families with two to six children subject to Bedroom Standard Bungalows All No preference Flats Norfolk House Age 17 plus (aged 16 if care leaver) Suffolk House with preference to under occupying WDH tenants

We aim to let 50% to employed people

Clarion Street Age 25 plus with preference to under Norton Street occupying WDH tenants We aim to let 50% to employed people

Choice Based Lettings – Wakefield City and Rural 7

Buckingham Drive Age 40 plus, with preference to over Doncaster Road 60’s or under occupying WDH tenants. Denmark Street Ground floor – Preference to those with Elm Tree Street an assessed medical need if the property is suitable then those aged 60 or over or under occupying WDH tenants