Lettings Policy

Tower Hamlets Lettings Policyemergency status, Band 1 Group A isthe highest possible priority in thelettings policy. The preference date willbe the date the application for anassessment was made.149. Where an under occupier in Band 1Group A has bid for a ground floorproperty with an earlier preference datethan an applicant who has been given arecommendation that they must have aground floor property on medicalgrounds, discretion may be exercised tooffer the property first to the applicantwith the medical recommendation.Environment150. The majority of the housing stock inTower Hamlets is in blocks on estates.Some of these blocks are tower blocks,many are smaller blocks. Very little streetaccommodation becomes available eachyear. The decision as to whether anadvertised home will meet your housingneeds is best made by you, sometimeswith help, and dependent on you beinggiven information about the property sothat you can make an informed decision.The Health Advisors will onlyrecommend a quieter environment if youhave severe long term limiting illness orpermanent and substantial disabilitywhere stress has been identified as aseriously exacerbating factor or youwould be considered vulnerable living ina more active area.Care and Support151. If you need care because of your healthproblems, there are different ways inwhich support can be provided. Youcould live with the person you aresupporting (or who supports you). Oryou each may want to have your ownhome, but move nearer to each other.As you can choose to apply foradvertised homes you should talk withthe person you support (or whosupports you) about the best solution toyour support needs. You may want toconsider both applying for homes ineach other’s areas to see who issuccessful first. Or it may be that onearea is better for you both because it isnear a particular doctor, or hospital, orother support. The Health Advisors willonly give preference to an applicationwhere care and support are an issue ifyour application meets the criteria to begiven preference on health grounds andthere is no one currently living with youwho can reasonably provide the supportyou need.Homes that may be offeredfirst to certain groups ofapplicantsDesignated accommodation152. There are some homes that have beendesignated for specific groups ofpeople, either because of age, disabilityor other defined criteria. When this typeof vacancy occurs it will be advertisedgiving preference to those who meetthe designated criteria. This will bespecified in the advert and we will onlylet the property to a household thatmeets all the designated criteria.Homes designated as wheelchairaccessible Category A or B153. Will be allocated to applicantsrecommended for this type of property.Homes with access to gardens or playareas, on the ground floor154. There is a large demand for homes onthe ground floor, with gardens.Preference for this type ofaccommodation will be given first tohouseholds that the Health Advisorshave recommended should live in thistype of home; then second where thereis a duty to offer like-for-likeaccommodation, such as to those whoneed to move because their home isbeing demolished or who have beengiven a priority social award.25