Apply for social housing

Housing allocation bands

Priority band

You may be placed in one of four priority bands depending on your housing needs assessment.

Band A

People awarded reasonable preference with an urgent need to move (additional preference)

This can include:

  • unsatisfactory accommodation
  • loss of home because of disaster
  • council approved clearance, demolition or expiry of lease
  • overcrowding or under-occupied social housing
  • medical or welfare reasons
  • victims of or witnesses to crime (who are high risk)
  • hate or race crime victims
  • His Majesty’s armed forces members
  • because of serious threat to a child
  • disabilities
  • moving on from care
  • being homeless or in temporary accommodation

Band B

People awarded reasonable preference and need to move

This can include:

  • being intentionally homeless or threatened with homelessness
  • needing to give or receive care and support from relatives
  • being at risk of harm, abuse or exploitation
  • needing sheltered, extra care, adapted, or ground floor accommodation
  • lacking basic facilities
  • overcrowding
  • having medical, disability or welfare needs
  • taking up employment, education or training opportunities
  • moving on from a council accredited support scheme
  • escaping anti-social behaviour or hate crime
  • frailty due to old age, or needing improved heating on medical or welfare grounds
  • experiencing threats of abuse, violence or harassment

Band C

People awarded reasonable preference and with a low level need to move

This can include:

  • being homeless but the council does not have a ‘duty to refer’
  • having low level medical and welfare needs
  • members of armed or reserve forces with low level need
  • those aged over 55 with no identified need applying for sheltered or supported housing

Band D

You will be classed as a Band D applicant if you fail to bid on more than three occasions where a suitable property would have been available or if you refuse an offer of accommodation: 

  • when you are in Band A and homeless or owed a main homeless duty
  • more than once when you are in Band A but not homeless or not owed a homelessness duty
  • more than once when you are in Band B and homeless or owed a homelessness duty
  • more than twice if you are in Band B and not homeless or not owed a homelessness duty
  • more than twice if you are in Band C

Applicants who refuse accommodation will remain in Band D for 12 months, after which time they must make a new application, and their application will be re assessed. 

Page last updated: 26 April 2023

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