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Priority Bands

Priority Bands

In seeking to meet Government requirements, the Council has framed its Allocations Policy to identify those in the greatest housing need.  This is determined initially by an assessment at the Registration stage. 

 

Once identified, preference is given by means of placing applicants in a priority band.  The banding can be reassessed at any point, and changed according to the applicants housing needs at any given time.  The need will also be re-assessed at the point of an offer of accommodation.

 

The Council has three bands:

• Bronze Band
• Silver Priority Band
• Gold Priority Band

Priorities can be assessed under a number of headings, and depending on their urgency, will determine which band an applicant is placed in.  Once placed in a band, the applicant will be able to bid using the designated banding.

 

For more information on priorities you can look at the Councils Allocations Policy at the following link which will open a new window:  http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/housing/options/content.php?page=allocations

 

An applicant will be advised in writing of their bidding reference number, their band and the types and size of properties that they can bid for.  An applicant has the right to request a review of their banding at the point of registration, and also at any point prior to an offer of accommodation, where their circumstances have changed. 

 

Officers will also consider whether a change in banding is necessary whenever they are made aware of changes in the applicants circumstances, for example upon receipt of a re-registration form or letter from a supporting agency.

 

When a property is advertised, applicants will be able to place bids.  Once the bidding cycle ends, all the bids received for any one property are prioritised in order of the banding, with the Gold band applicants first, followed by applicants in the silver, then bronze bands.  Where there is more than one applicant within a band, the applications are prioritised in date order – the date used is the effective date, which is the date that the priority was awarded.

 

Being the top bidder for a property does not automatically guarantee that the property will be offered to the applicant. It is still the responsibility of the Council to make a final judgment on whether or not it is appropriate to allocate a certain property to a particular applicant

 

Popular properties will attract large numbers of bidders and therefore it is likely that such properties will be allocated to applicants with a priority.  However, where there are less popular properties, it may be possible to allocate to applicants in the bronze band.