Housing allocation bands
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: 29 July 2024
