Homes in the City

Inclusion and vulnerable groups

How do I know that my Homes in the City application will be treated fairly?

Homes in the City aims to ensure that everyone who applies for housing is treated fairly, irrespective of gender, colour, race, sexual orientation, marital status, beliefs, religion, age, physical disability or appearance.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and valuing people's differences.

Advice and Support

Homes in the City is open to all sections of the community. If anyone is having difficulties using the system support and assistance will be available to meet individual circumstances. If you need help in using Homes in the City, please contact Homes Direct on 01902 556789.

Arabic

Arabic

Bengali

Bengali

Farsi

Farsi

Gujarati

Gujarati

Hindi

Hindi

Kurdish

Kurdish

Punjabi

Punjabi

Urdu

Urdu

We can:

  • Explain how to use Homes in the City and provide training on how to use the website.
  • Provide information in other languages and formats (such as in Braille, in large print or on audio tape). If this is required please contact the Community Partnership Team on 01902 554765.
  • Tell you which properties you can bid for. The property adverts use symbols to assist you indentifying the type of property and its features for example number of bedrooms, type of heating, amount of rent payable, whether it has a garden.
  • Give you information on other housing options, such as mutual exchanges, private rented accommodation or shared ownership.
  • Help you to fill in your application form.
  • Provide a link to up your street so you can find the exact location of the property and access to local facilities.
  • Put you in contact with agencies which can provide further support.
  • Arrange for a Lettings Officer to visit you if you cannot leave your home because you are seriously ill.
  • Allow, with your permission, family member or support worker to place bids for you.
  • Provide feed back about advertised properties that have been let which may assist you to assess how long you are likely to wait for a particular type of property or property in a particular location.
  • Provide information on the council stock, this will include type and size and how frequently it becomes available

Support for Vulnerable Applicants

It is recognised that some people may require additional help with applying for properties

If you feel that you are vulnerable for any reason such as physically disabled, visual or hearing impairment or have a learning disability and have told us on the application form that you may require help with the bidding process we will contact you to find out how best to do this, it could range from:

  • Contacting you weekly to advise you of available properties that might interest you.
  • Adverts sent to you on a weekly basis with support to bid for them.
  • Advert details available in large print.
  • Advert details translated into different languages.
  • Maintain contact with supporting agencies.
  • Information about the type and level of adaptations and/or accessible features in the accommodation will be displayed in the property advert to assist disabled applicants in making a decision on whether it meets their needs.

First Home

If you are interested in a first home, there may be extra costs to think about in addition to the costs connected with running a home. You will need to think about the cost of furnishing your home and ensuring that you have all the essential household items that you need. Example of these might include: - bed, settee, table, cooker, fridge, carpet etc. The cost of running a home guide aims to give you an idea of the costs or running and setting up a home that you will need to budget for. You need to make sure that you can afford these costs before accepting Homes in the City offer if made to you.

Sheltered and Very Sheltered Housing

If you're getting older and feel that you would like to move into a flat or bungalow with a support worker, your local housing office will be happy to explain what services are available through living in sheltered scheme accommodation. Sheltered housing accommodation is for people aged 60 plus or younger people with disabilities who would like to live as independently as possible.

Very Sheltered Housing provides a home for those people that need more support than sheltered housing can give. To find out more about Very Sheltered Housing can offer, ring 01902 554753.

Help for tenants wanting to move from their house to a bungalow, flat or maisonette


Who is this suitable for?

Tenants may consider moving from their house if their families have moved out. They're finding running their home expensive or they think a smaller home would be easier to manage.

Assistance

An officer will help you identify a suitable home and support you throughout the process of moving, and we will also help you with your moving costs, improvements and decoration if required.

Restrictions

If you would like to release your home it must generally be to move to a flat, maisonette, or bungalow. 2 bedroom bungalows are in high demand and it is unlikely that you would be able to transfer to one of these properties.