Implementation of Proposal 5 of the Review introduces greater choice of areas for applicants for a social home. 

From 30 January 2023 applicants  be able to choose as many or as few areas of choice as they wish to indicate where they would like to live.

The General Housing Area (GHA) has been removed from the rules of the Housing Selection Scheme and new and existing homeless applicants (Full Duty Applicants (FDAs)) will no longer have a wider area (GHA) applied to their areas of choice.

Applicants who had the wider GHA applied to their housing application will still be on the waiting list for all those areas within that GHA.

Applicants who did not have the GHA applied will remain on the waiting list for housing in the areas of choice they have already selected and may also choose to add further areas.

Customers may wish to contact the person dealing with their housing application at any time to review their areas of choice.

Implementation of Proposal 15 of the Review introduces a reduction from three reasonable offers to two reasonable offers.

From 30 January 2023 applicants will be entitled to receive two reasonable offers of accommodation. 

Applicants who have already received one or two reasonable offers will be entitled to one further reasonable offer.

Customers can speak to the person dealing with their housing application if they are unsure about how many offers they are entitled to.
 
What is a reasonable Offer of Accommodation? 
The Housing Executive and all Housing Associations will make offers which are reasonable under the Rules of the Selection Scheme. An offer of accommodation is reasonable if it is:

• a suitable size for an applicant and their household (as outlined in the Rules of the Selection Scheme);

• within the applicant’s chosen areas of choice; 

• in a reasonable condition of repair, and;

• suitable to meet the needs of the applicant and their household.

Refusing an Offer of Accommodation 
If an applicant refuses an offer of accommodation, or does not reply to the offer, it will be counted as one of their two reasonable offers under the Rules Housing Selection Scheme.

We will asked them why they are refusing the offer. In certain limited circumstances we may consider the refusal reasonable, and where appropriate, we will review their areas of choice and update their housing application with further details about their household, housing needs and areas of choice for re-housing.

If the refusal is deemed reasonable the offer will not count under the Rules of the Scheme.
 
From the 30th January 2023 offer letters will provide clear guidance as to what to do if the applicant feels that the accommodation offered is not suitable and that the offer is not reasonable.

If the applicant is owed the full housing duty then they have a right to request a review if they disagree that an offer of accommodation is suitable.

They will need to contact the relevant Housing Executive Regional Review Officer, contact details for which will be provided in the offer letter.

They will have 40 days from the date of the offer letter to request a review. 

If the applicant is not owed the full duty they can make a complaint if they consider that the offer is not reasonable. They will need to contact the social landlord who made you the offer.

They will also have 40 days from the date of the offer letter to make a complaint. 

From more information on how social housing is allocated read our section on:

• Allocations

From 30 January 2023 social landlords will be able to withdraw an offer of accommodation in specified circumstances.

A new rule has been introduced in the Housing Selection Scheme which sets out the limited circumstances where the Housing Executive or a Housing Association can withdraw an offer of accommodation before the tenancy agreement is signed.

This change will help to ensure that homes are allocated correctly in accordance with the rules to eligible applicants in greatest housing need. 

You can read more about this in our section on:

• The Housing Selection Scheme

For more information on any of the proposed changes please contact the Project team at:  

• Email: FRAProject@nihe.gov.uk