Information handbook for applicants: Applying for social housing in Gwynedd

Generally the following can apply for social housing:

• Residents of the UK who are over 16 years of age
• British nationals
• Citizens of the European Economic Area
• Certain people who are citizens of the Commonwealth, asylum seekers and persons from aborad who have certain rights to stay in the UK

However, there may be valid reasons why some people will not be eligible for social housing. Reasons may include:

• Persons from abroad (subject to the above)
• People subject to immigration control
• People, or family members of people who are deemed ineligible for an allocation because of their past unacceptable behaviour

What you need to do:

• Complete and sign the application form* – 1 application form exists for housing associations
• Provide copies of the necessary information, for example proof of address, nationality etc.
• Provide additional information in support of your application, e.g. medical letter, homeless status

What Gwynedd Housing Options will do:

• Check if you are eligible to apply
• Process your application within 10 working days (if you have included everything)
• If you haven’t provided sufficient information, your application will not be registered
• Contact you to discuss your application and confirm which band it will appear in

Applications will be placed in one of 4 bands depending on housing need and the connection with Gwynedd or not.

• Band 1
  1a – Urgent housing need with a Gwynedd connection
  1b – Urgent housing need with no Gwynedd connection
• Band 2
  Housing need with a Gwynedd connection
• Band 3
  Applicants with reduced priority Housing need with no Gwynedd connection
• Band 4
  No housing need with a Gwynedd connection

Within each band applications will appear in the following order:

1. Applicants with a community connection with the area where the property is located, in application date order.
2. Applicants without a community connection with the area where the property is located, in application date order.

Below are circumstances that would be considered urgent housing need and housing need.

This is what is regarded as Gwynedd Connection:

• Live in Gwynedd for 5 years
• Family association in Gwynedd for over 10 years
• Provides or receives support from a person or specialist provision in Gwynedd
• Employed in Gwynedd for the last 5 years
• Has been offered a job in Gwynedd but has a disability and is unable to take up the job offer because of the difficulty of finding adequate accessible housing
• Needs to move to Gwynedd so that a member of their household with a disability can attend a school or receive specialist support but is unable to do so because of the difficulty in finding adequate accessible housing
• Serving in the Armed Forces in Gwynedd
• A former member of the Armed Forces, not currently employed or resident in Gwynedd who served in Gwynedd whilst in the Forces

Community Connection is defined as:

• 5 years residency in the community in which the property to be let is located

Applicants without a Gwynedd Connection or housing need will not be registered.

There are different types of accommodation of different sizes accross the county.

You can choose the property type you require, number of bedrooms and location. Be sure only to choose a location that you are ready to live in. Should you refuse an offer of the type of accommodation and in a location chosen by you then your application may be moved to a lower band.

This is what you will be considered for. Note that this is only a guide and it’s possible that your ideal choice may not be available and you may be offered accommodation which we think is reasonable and suitable for your needs.

It is possible for applications to receive reduced priority under some circumstances. Here are some examples:

• Behaviour which effects suitability to be a tenant (includes anti-social behaviour, breach of tenancy, rent arrears, providing false or misleading information on the application)
• Financial resources (people with financial resources to meet their housing needs) 
• Refuse a reasonable offer of accommodation

Applications with reduced priority will be in band 3. It’s possible to move back to the original band once the behaviour has improved the debt repayed (or an agreement to pay the debt is in place). The date of returning to the band and not the application registration date will then be used.

Your application will not be registered if it is completed incorrectly. Here are some suggestions:

• Answer each question on the application form. If a question is not applicable to your circumstances, write “not applicable” (N/A) or similar as your answer.
• Read the guidance on the application form.
• If you’re not sure what documents you need to enclose as part of the application then contact us: 01286 685100 or tai@gwynedd.llyw.cymru. Send copies only. Please do not send original documents as we cannot guarantee their safe return to you.
• Make sure each applicant signs and dates the application form.
• Remember, once your application is registered you do not need to contact us unless there is a major change in your circumstances (including moving home) or your contact details
• Your application will be considered for properties that match the choices on your application (property type, size and location) subject to any conditions imposed by the housing association, for example family size or specific facilities in the property.
• Should you be offered a tenancy the housing association will be in touch with you to discuss what will happen next. You do not need to contact Gwynedd Housing Options.
• Remember to register your application early. It will be too late when you see a vacant home.

If you have an enquiry regarding your application for social housing then contact Gwynedd Housing Options.

• Online housing enquiry
• 01286 685100

Here are our partners’ contact details:

• Adra
• Grŵp Cynefin
• North Wales Housing