Common Allocation Policy Consultation (now ended)
The Common Allocations Policy sets out the rules that decide who can apply for social housing and the priority they will be given.
Due to an increased demand for housing, the Tees Valley Lettings Partnership undertook a review of the Common Allocation Policy in Autumn 2024 resulting in proposed changes to ensure our most vulnerable applicants are given the most appropriate banding to support their search for accommodation.
During a 6-week public consultation, almost 700 responses were received, the majority of which agreed with the proposed changes.
As a result, the new Common Allocations Policy has formally been approved by all the Tees Valley Lettings Partnership members and will be implemented from 7th July 2025.
Key changes are:
- A new ‘Band 1+’ priority has been created for applicants who are losing their home due to demolition or regeneration and for those leaving the armed forces with an urgent need for re-housing.
- All applicants must now have a local connection to Redcar & Cleveland, Middlesbrough or Stockton-On-Tees to register and apply for housing via Tees Valley Home Finder.
- Applicants who have been served notice, evicted or had a property closure due to unacceptable behaviour will be excluded from registering a housing application with the partnership for at least 36 months.
- Applicants in Bands 1, 2 and 3 will be expected to bid for suitable properties using the priority awarded to them. Applicants who do not bid, may have their priority removed if there have been suitable properties advertised and they have failed to place bids on them.
- Young people leaving the care of the Local Authority who have been assessed as ready for independent living will be awarded Band 1 Priority.
- A new category of ‘Emergency Medical’ has been created within Band 1 for individuals who have an emergency housing need due to medical problems which are made worse by their current housing situation. This includes applicants being discharged from hospital where their housing is unsuitable and cannot be adapted.
- Following assessment by the Local Authority Homelessness Teams homelessness applicants, will be split across three priority bands depending on their circumstances
- A new category of Acute Overcrowding is introduced and awarded Band Two priority. This category will be awarded where a household is severely overcrowded - requiring two or more additional bedrooms according to the criteria set out by the Department for Work and Pensions
Full details of the changes are within the policy document which can be downloaded below.
How do I apply for Social Housing?
Social housing is allocated across Redcar & Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Stockton areas via a choice based lettings system called Tees Valley Homefinder.
Tees Valley Homefinder is a partnership consisting of 3 local authorities (Redcar & Cleveland, Stockton and Middlesbrough) plus 2 Registered Providers (also known as Housing Associations) Beyond Housing and North Star. Properties are also allocated through Nominations with other RPs such as Thirteen, Home Group and Karbon.
Our aim is to help you find an affordable home within the 3 local authority areas, by giving you more choice in deciding where you want to live.
By registering with Tees Valley Homefinder you will have the option to search for available homes and bid for your preferred properties.
To register, please follow this link: Tees Valley Scheme
Should you require some assistance with registration, please get in touch with Beyond Housing as follows.
Email: redcarhousing.admin@beyondhousing.co.uk
For further information about how Tees Valley Homefinder allocates its properties, please read the Tees Valley Homefinder Common Allocation Policy below:
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Document