Equal Opportunities Policy

The Association wishes it to be known that it follows the policy of equal opportunities in the following way:

• As an employer and provider of housing, the Association will endeavour to provide equal opportunities and treatment to all persons.
  
• As a landlord, employer and customer, the Association will not discriminate against any person because of their race, religion, colour, ethnic origin, sex, marital status or disability.
  
• The Association will endeavour to ensure that it continues to provide housing on the basis of genuine need and it is those who are most disadvantaged who benefit from this policy.
  
• The Association will appoint staff on the basis of merit and will offer support to all staff to fulfil their potential by encouragement and training.
  
• The Association will operate a fair housing policy to fulfil its commitment to its equal opportunities policy and undertake to monitor the records of housing allocations and employment.
  
• The Board of Management and its sub-committees will be mindful of its commitment to equal opportunity in all aspects of its work.

Letting Policy Procedure

Introduction

The Association’s homes are always in demand. In order to ensure we allocate homes to those with the greatest housing need, a selection procedure is strictly followed. The following information sets out the procedure.

Conditions for Residency

There are no restrictive conditions for becoming a resident but applicants can only apply for our sheltered housing if they are aged over 55. We operate an “open” waiting list, so anyone can apply at any time for accommodation. All applicants are required to complete an application form and an assessment home visit is arranged before an offer of housing is made.

Selection Criteria – Nomination

The Association is required to consider applicants for re-housing put forward by the Local Authority in which the accommodation is located. Prospective tenants are always advised to register with the Local Authority and to seek nomination from the Local Authority to a particular scheme.

Selection Criteria – Association’s Method

All lettings are reported to the Tenancy and Housing Services Committee by the Association’s Housing Services Manager. The Committee comprises voluntary members from our own Board of Management and others with experience in social work who are co-opted to assist with these tasks.

Selection Criteria – Assessment of Housing Need

1. Present housing
   We consider whether an applicant is suffering from homelessness or overcrowding, with due consideration of whether an existing home is in a poor state of repair or lacks basic facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen. In addition, we consider the lack of appropriate facilities because of the onset of disability or other incapacity.
   
2. Medical reasons
   We consider information received from medical practitioners and others concerned with the physical and mental welfare of the applicant.
   
3. Social reasons
   We consider difficulties arising from the sharing of existing housing, local neighbourhood problems, noise or other matters which make living in their current home difficult.
   
4. Location
   We recognise the importance for some applicants to have ready access to local facilities such as a place of worship, clubs, day centres and other similar communal buildings.

Selection Criteria – Points System

Based upon an assessment of an applicant’s existing housing as outlined in 1-4 above, we allocate points according to need. By totalling the points we can provide an overall evaluation of an applicant’s particular housing requirements. Tenancies are offered to applicants with the most number of points, which indicates the greatest housing need.