How to Apply for a Home ...

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Principles

Tung Sing Housing Association provides homes for rent, and culturally sensitive services, to persons in housing need. Anyone can apply for housing and all applications are treated equally regardless of marital status, race, ethnic origin, disability, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, class, appearance, religion, responsibility for dependants, unrelated criminal activities, being HIV positive or with AIDS, or any other matter which causes a person to be treated with injustice

We provide housing for a wide range of groups including the elderly, single people, couples and families. Whilst we were originally established to meet the housing needs of the Chinese community, we now house people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including white British

Persons under the age of 18, and over 16, can apply for housing as long as certain criteria are met, for example there is appropriate support in place and a guarantor. Further details about this are available on request

Applying for a Home

You will normally be required to complete an application form. An application form can be requested:

In writing
In person at our office
Via this website
By telephone
By email

If you require help with completing an application form then please ask.
We can also complete telephone a application with you if this is preferable; however we will still require you to sign to say that the information you have provided is accurate

Completing the Application Form

We operate a points system which prioritises applicants according to their housing need. To ensure we award you the correct number of points it is important that you complete the application form fully and provide evidence to support the circumstances that you mention. For example if you are suffering ill health which relates to your need for housing, then you should provide a medical certificate or letter

The factors used to assess need are:

• Security of Tenure
• Household Amenities
• Overcrowding
• Condition of Property
• Medical and Support Needs
• Health and Medical Condition
• Miscellaneous, e.g. suffering antisocial behaviour or family living apart
• Under Occupation (for transfer applicants)
• Time on List

Further information about how we assess housing need is available on request.
If you do not fully complete your application form it may be returned to you

Making Your Choice

To enable you to make the best choice about the schemes and/or locations of homes to apply for, we recommend you read the leaflet entitled ‘Where our homes are’. This tells you all about the areas where our homes are, the types of properties we have, and the rent levels, which may be useful when assessing what you can afford

Some of our homes are in very high demand and are subject to points thresholds. This means that for certain properties you will not automatically be accepted onto the waiting list unless you meet the number of points required

We will tell you at the point of enquiry if you are not eligible for an area or scheme; for example we don’t have the kind of property you require or you don’t meet the points threshold

On receipt of your completed application form and supporting documentation, we will let you know whether you have been accepted onto our waiting list within 15 working days

Interview and Referencing

When you are near the top of the waiting list, you will be asked to attend a short interview. The purpose of the interview is to:

• Confirm the details that you have provided on your application
• Check proof of identities for all persons wishing to be rehoused
• Check that your references are still appropriate
• Establish whether you have any additional needs that we may be able to help you with

At this stage a minimum of 2 references will be sought

• If you have been living in rented accommodation in the last two years, a reference from the landlord must be provided
• If you have a current private landlord, but are unable to obtain a reference, you must still provide proof of payment of rent – e.g. a bank statement, housing benefit confirmation letter, although this will not be classed as a reference
• If you are receiving support, or have received support within the last 2 years, a reference from that support provider must be provided
• If you have been employed within the last two years and that employment lasted for not less than three months, a reference from that employer must be provided. If you have not worked for over two years, or have never worked, a reference may be provided from a school/college tutor or senior member of a voluntary agency which has employed you in a voluntary capacity (the referee must have known the applicant for at least three months)
• If you are only able to provide one of the above references you can provide a character reference from the list given below, or alternatively you can apply for a Subject Access Request (police check)

References may be provided from the list below providing that the referee has known you for a minimum of two years in a professional capacity:

• School teacher/college tutor
• Social Worker or other Community Care Worker/Support Worker
  
• Probation Officer/Youth Offender Worker
  
• Doctor/Community Psychiatric Nurse/other Health or Professional
  
• Mortgage Lender
  
• Member of the clergy or other religious leader
  
• Welfare benefits advisor
• Community leader
  

Although this list is not exhaustive, it should be used as guidance as to who would be a suitable referee. As we only request references when you are nearing the top of the waiting list, if you think you may have difficulty providing suitable references, please contact us as soon as possible. Occasionally, we may also request that a risk assessment form is completed, for example by a support provider that you already have or we may complete one with you. In these circumstances we will tell you why we are requesting this

Suspension of Application

Our lettings policy aims to achieve fair, open and non-discriminatory lettings. We also recognise that in order to build balanced and sustainable communities regard must be taken of the issues that may exist in particular communities and the ability of future tenants to conduct their tenancy in a responsible manner

Please see below for a summary of the reasons when an applicant may be suspended from the waiting list. Full details are available on request

• A history of rent arrears or other outstanding debts to previous landlords and no current repayment agreement in place
  
• Serious antisocial behaviour committed in the last 5 years, and that person may pose a risk to the Association or the community
  
• Conviction of a serious criminal offence which has not been spent, and that person may pose a risk to the Association or the community
  
• Unmet support needs
  
• Unsatisfactory references
  
• Insufficient supporting information
  
• False information on application form

The period of suspension is the length of time for the reason leading to the suspension to be remedied, up to a maximum of 2 years. It is the responsibility of the suspended applicant to contact Tung Sing and request that their application status be reviewed. Where any reasons for suspension is remedied within 1 month of date of suspension – the applicant is reinstated onto the waiting list at original date of application. For all other applicants, they are reinstated onto the waiting list at the date of the un-suspension

Appeals and Complaints

We hope that you are happy with our service and the way we deal with your application; However, should you be dissatisfied you should contact the Head of Operations. All appeals are dealt with at stage 2 of our complaints procedure. A fully copy of the complaints procedure is available on request. If you require help making an appeal then please contact us and we will assist in any way we can

How long can I expect to wait?

As our homes are in high demand and we have low turnover our waiting lists are generally at least 2 years long. For some areas, such as Manchester city centre, the waiting time can be much longer

A percentage (normally 50%) of our homes are let through the nomination system. This means that the local authority provides us with applicants from their own list. To increase your chances of being rehoused we recommend you register with the local authority and other housing associations. Further details about this can be obtained from our office

Information for Transfer Applicants

If you are already a Tung Sing or Arena Housing Association tenant, you must still complete an application form. You will then be awarded a number of points, similar to any other applicant. Your Housing Officer will act as your referee and provide details about the conduct of your tenancy

Before you are accepted onto the waiting list:

• Any rent arrears or recharges must be cleared in full
  
• The Association must not be taking any action against you for possession of your home, e.g. for anti social behaviour
  
• Your home must be in a good condition – a home visit will be undertaken and you will be advised about anything that you need to put right

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