Housing need explained
The Scottish Government passed into law, rules that social landlords must apply when they decide on who gets priority for housing. This is known as ‘reasonable preference’ and the definition can be found via the Scottish Government's website and within our Allocation Policy at appendice 1. A summary of the groups can be found here.
When letting our homes we aim to find a best match between our available homes and the applicants who bid on them. For example, group 1 is for applicants who are looking for housing in one of our sheltered properties and if we have a sheltered property vacant and available for let, we shall only consider applicants with a group 1 priority for an offer.
Our current Allocation policy details the four categories of housing need:
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Group 1 is for applicants who are aged over 55 and looking for housing within one of our sheltered complexes. Within the group, housing need is assessed as critical, urgent or general.
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Group 2 is for applicants who Inverclyde Council have referred to us under Homelessness legislation. Within this group, housing need is assessed as critical.
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Group 3 is for applicants who have unsatisfactory housing conditions, which also covers our transferring tenants and people who are aspiring to have their own home. Within this group, housing need is assessed as critical, urgent or general.
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Group 4 is for applicants who have a mobility medical need for housing. Within this group, housing need is assessed as citical or urgent.