Housing Policy + Application Form

Housing Policy and Allocations

In line with the ‘articles of memorandum’ relating to its charity status, Brick by Brick LHAG builds and provides housing for people who are homeless.

Brick by Brick houses all types of homeless people, not only those deemed ‘in priority need’, and so helps many single and ‘intentionally’ homeless people who may have very limited access to housing.

The charity has limited housing stocks and strives to operate a fair system according to individual need and available resources.

Who can apply for housing with Brick by Brick LHAG?

Any person over the age of 18 who is homeless, or is about to become homeless. Being homeless can range from ‘sleeping rough’ to being in insecure accommodation (for example, sleeping on someone else’s floor) or if inhabiting accommodation that is unreasonable to live in. The charity needs applicants to provide proof of status by applying to the local authority housing dept as a homeless person. The housing dept has a duty to investigate and advise on housing need and to issue any applicant with a written decision (called a ‘S 184’). Please contact the charity if you have difficulty obtaining this document if you wish to register with us and we will try to assist you.

The charity has an obligation to carry out checks on immigration status before proceeding with any application.

The charity does accept those who receive housing and other benefits, but encourages tenants to empower themselves through work and study if appropriate.

Allocation of properties and tenancies

We operate a waiting list in which potential tenants are given points according to need and time waited. Any property offered will be limited according to the size of applicant and family. Medical and social factors will be considered. Ground floor properties will normally be offered to families with young children or to those with severe disability/mobility issues first. When other properties become available, those applicants who have highest points will be made offers first. We only make one offer under normal circumstances. Assured shorthold tenancies are offered which are automatically renewed unless there are concerns.

Transfers within the organisation are possible when overcrowding is an issue (as defined by housing law), or when a property becomes under-occupied.

Single, double rooms and studio flats are offered to single people, couples without children, or in emergency situations, to couples with a very young child. (In these cases, attempts would be made to urgently rehouse to more appropriate accommodation.)

1 — Bed flats will be offered to families with 1 child.

2 — Bed flats will be offered to families with I or 2 children.

We encourage tenants with children to apply for local authority housing and will help existing tenants with this if necessary. We have a duty to avoid overcrowding, and we must balance this with need. Children under 10 should only share a double bedroom (over 110 sq. ft). A boy and girl should have separate bedrooms over the age of 10. In shared flats, single adults are allocated one room each.

Points system

Sleeping rough: 20 pts
Overcrowding: For each extra bedroom needed: 5 pts
Medical/social need including domestic violence: 10-20 pts, evidence based.
Families apart: 1 pts
Insecure accommodation: 10 pts
Waiting time: 3 pts per year on anniversary

Support

We offer a tenancy support service for tenants who are experiencing difficulties in managing their tenancies or who have related issues. When time permits, this support may be in the form of a referral/introduction to another more appropriate agency (e.g. specialist welfare benefit advice). General help is always available from the project organiser (Alexander Gravenstein) during normal office hours by telephoning 0207 394 7222 or in emergency on 07850983185.

In addition, the charity also runs a drop in session on Saturday afternoons from 2-4pm at the 388 Old Kent Rd premises when a ‘Citizens Advice’ (formerly CAB) trained/qualified generalist advisor (also a qualified counsellor) is available. Further tenancy support may be offered by appointment/home visit as required.

We regret that at this time, we cannot offer housing to those who cannot manage to maintain their tenancy obligations with the support available. We will endeavour to assist with applications for statutory provision when appropriate. This is necessary for the well being of other tenants who may be vulnerable.

Equal Opportunities

Brick by Brick is committed to implementing equal opportunities and to ensuring that its practices and procedures facilitate equal access to services. We strive to ensure that nobody receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of colour, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religious or political belief, age or disability. This policy extends to all organisations and employees associated with the charity.

**APPLICATION FORM**
To use the following form, please print out and send by post to: BRICK BY BRICK L.H.A.G. 388 Old Kent Road London SE1 5AA

**APPLICATION DETAILS**
Title	..........
Surname	..........
Other names	..........
Male/Female	..........
Dale of birth	..........
Telephone	..........
E-Mail	..........

**Current address (if homeless, contact address)**
.
.
.
.
.
.

**Details of the people applicant would like to live with:**
Relationship	...........	.	.
Title	...........	.	.
Surname	...........	.	.
Other names	...........	.	.
Male/Female	...........	.	.
Date of Birth	...........	.	.
Address Telephone No	...........	.	.

**Identity Check documents**
DOCUMENT	REFERENCE NUMBER:
Passport	...........
Birth Certificate	...........
Driving Licence	...........
Immigration Document	...........

**Immigration check**
Immigration Status:	.
Date of next interview:	............

**S 184**
Status	.
Date of decision	............

**References:**
1.	2.
.......	............
.......	.......
.......	.......
.......	.......

**Property size to be allocated (dependng on No./type of occupants)**
Single bedroom	.......
Double bedroom.	............
Studio flat..	.......
1 Bedroom flat	.......
2 Bedroom flat	.......

**Priority points**
Condition	Initial assessment	Review date	Review date
Sleeping rough	20 pts.	.....	.....
Insecure accommodation	10 pts	....	....
Medical factors	10-20 pts	....	....
Overcrowding	5 pts	....	....
Separation of family	7 pts	....	....
Waiting time (anniversary)	20 pts	....	....
TOTAL	....	....	....

**Brick by Brick Ethnick Monitoring Form**
White	White British White Irish Any other White background
Dual or blended heritage	White and Black Caribbean White and Black African White and Asian Any other mixed background
Asian, or Asian British	Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Any other Asian background
Black or Black British	Caribbean African Any other Black background
Chinese	.
Other	.