Priority banding for medical needs
We may award additional priority for a move where we consider that an applicant’s housing circumstances have a direct impact upon their health or the health of a household member.
Priority will not be awarded for a medical condition, however severe, if an applicant’s present home does not affect their medical condition or their ability to live there.
Where health is affected by issues such as damp or disrepair, we will take these into consideration only where it can be shown that these issues cannot be resolved. If issues are found to be attributable to the applicant’s behaviour or lifestyle, then no additional priority will be awarded. An example of this may be where an applicant has caused condensation in their home by drying clothes inside and not ensuring the property is properly ventilated.
The treatment and support available to applicants will also be taken into account. We do not expect applicants to ask their doctor or other medical professional to write in support of their application. If confirmation of a health condition is required, we will contact the applicant’s doctor or medical professional directly.
We will take medical and social care advice into consideration, however, the final assessment of housing priority is made by Home Options. Below are some of the factors we take into account when deciding to award medical priority, the priority levels that may apply, and the evidence required to support the award:
- Band A - urgent medical priority - a face-to-face interview or home visit, and supportive evidence / details of treatment required, for example medication prescription and additional information from healthcare professional
- Band B - higher medical priority - supportive evidence / details of treatment required for example medication prescription and evidence of other additional agency involvement
- Band C - medium medical priority - supportive evidence / details of treatment required for example medication prescription
- No priority - no medical condition, or a medical condition is present but the applicant is adequately housed
Band A - urgent medical priority
High level of treatment and evidence from mental health professional (for example consultant or community psychiatric nurse). Identified need for urgent or emergency rehousing from present accommodation.
Band B - higher medical priority
High level of treatment for example medication and other agency involvement (for example mental health team). May consider specific factors such as social isolation or traumatic event, and so on. A change of accommodation would significantly reduce or halt deterioration in mental health.
Band C - medium medical priority
Mental health may be improved by a change of accommodation even if adequately housed. Applicant is taking medication or undergoing counselling.
No priority
Adequately housed.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Unable to access property or use facilities within property – adaptations are not an option (for example restricted to one floor within property) or causing applicant to be housebound. Unable to return to property after hospital stay.
Band B - higher medical priority
Mobility issues – difficulty accessing the property and / or facilities within property (for example bathroom).
Band C - medium medical priority
Mobility issues – some problems managing stairs within or outside property, or isolation due to property location (for example on a steep hill).
No priority
Mobility problems but adequately housed or temporary mobility problems, for example broken leg or recovering from surgery.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Unable or severely restricted in accessing bathroom facilities, for example use of a commode.
Band B - higher medical priority
Increased toilet needs and significant restriction in accessing bathroom facilities.
Band C - medium medical priority
Increased toilet needs impacting on access to facilities.
No priority
Adequately housed. No restrictions.
Band A - urgent medical priority
High level of treatment and evidence from mental health professional (for example consultant or community psychiatric nurse). Identified need for urgent or emergency rehousing from present accommodation.
Band B - higher medical priority
High level of treatment for example medication and other agency involvement (such as mental health team). May consider specific factors such as social isolation or traumatic event, and so on.
Band C - medium medical priority
Depression or anxiety and receiving treatment (for example medication or counselling).
No priority
Mild depression or anxiety – no medication.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Very urgent or emergency need for rehousing from present accommodation.
Band B - higher medical priority
Change of accommodation would significantly reduce impact of condition which may be due to either disabilities or mental health issues associated with abuse and support a change in lifestyle.
Band C - medium medical priority
Change of accommodation may alleviate symptoms due to either disabilities or mental health issues associated with abuse, or to support change in lifestyle.
No priority
Long-term issues, no recent change in situation or medical treatment.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Severe mental health issues, current accommodation causes them to be vulnerable or unable to return to property. May include social isolation.
Band B - higher medical priority
Applicant is isolated; relocation would significantly improve quality of life. May need to move closer to family for support.
Band C - medium medical priority
Mental health may be improved by a change of accommodation even if adequately housed.
No priority
Adequately housed or already and/or awarded priority for housing circumstances.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Very urgent or emergency need for rehousing or unable to return to property.
Band B - higher medical priority
Change of accommodation would significantly reduce the impact of epilepsy. Use of bathing facilities restricted due to impact of epilepsy.
Band C - medium medical priority
Stress caused by current accommodation impacting on epilepsy.
No priority
Adequately housed, no impact on condition.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Unable to access property or use facilities within property – adaptations are not an option (for example restricted to one floor within property) or causing applicant to be housebound. Unable to return to property after hospital stay.
Band B - higher medical priority
Mobility issues – difficulty accessing the property and / or facilities within property (for example bathroom).
Band C - medium medical priority
Mobility issues – some problems managing stairs within or outside property, or isolation due to property location (for example on a steep hill).
No priority
Mobility problems but adequately housed, or temporary mobility problems (for example broken leg or recovering from surgery).
Band A - urgent medical priority
Very urgent or emergency need for rehousing from present accommodation.
Band B - higher medical priority
Rehousing will significantly reduce impact of condition. Supporting evidence required, for example CAHMS or community mental health team involvement.
Band C - medium medical priority
Rehousing may reduce impact of condition for example space or safety issues.
No priority
Adequately housed. Person with condition has own bedroom. If sharing, may allocate extra bedroom but no medical award.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Very urgent or emergency need for rehousing into suitable accommodation, or unable to return to property. Adaptations are not an option. The long-term prognosis of the applicant’s condition will be taken into consideration.
Band B - higher medical priority
Change of accommodation would significantly reduce the impact of the medical condition. The long term prognosis of the applicant’s condition will be taken into consideration.
Band C - medium medical priority
Impact of medical condition could be reduced by rehousing.
No priority
Adequately housed, no impact on medical condition.
Band A - urgent medical priority
Very urgent or emergency need for rehousing into suitable accommodation due to medical condition. Unable to use facilities within property – adaptations are not an option, or the applicant is leaving hospital and is unable to return to their home.
Band B - higher medical priority
Change of accommodation would significantly reduce the impact of the medical condition.
Band C - medium medical priority
Impact of medical condition could be reduced by rehousing.
No priority
Adequately housed, no restriction in use of all facilities.
For more details, please see our Home Options policy.