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SHAC offers two types of accommodation:

• Shared
• Self Contained

SHARED

In Shared accommodation you will have exclusive personal use of a bedroom within a multi bedroom flat or house and will share the living room, kitchen, bathroom and toilet facilities with others living in similar circumstances the same flat.  Payment for heat and light is the responsibility of the tenant group and you will be expected to contribute an equal share to cover all gas and/or electricity used.

Shared accommodation is let on a furnished basis with all the necessary basic items of furniture provided.  Kitchens are supplied with cookers and fridge/freezers.  Many properties have on-site communal laundries but where these facilities are not available a washing machine or washer/drier is provided within each unit.  Bedclothes are not supplied.

Shared accommodation is normally readily available and applying couldn’t be easier, simply complete one of our application forms and return it to us.  One of our Housing Officers will be happy to discuss your accommodation needs with you and guide you through the remainder of the process.

Application forms are available for collection from any of our offices or can be downloaded  [here]

SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION

In self contained accommodation you have all your own facilities behind your own front door for the exclusive use of yourself and your family. The number of bedrooms will vary according to your needs and the configuration of the particular property.  Self contained accommodation is allocated under the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Common Selection Scheme

THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SOCIAL HOUSING FOR SELF CONTAINED ACCOMMODATION

To apply for self contained Social Rented Accommodation you will need to be assessed under Northern Ireland Housing Executive Selection Scheme and pointed on the common waiting list. You will usually be able to apply for housing if you are over 18 and have a local connection to Northern Ireland.

SOCIAL RENTED HOUSING AND SOCIAL LANDLORDS

Social rented accommodation is provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and local housing associations. Each Social Landlord is an independent organisation.

THE COMMON SELECTION SCHEME

The Common Selection Scheme is a points-based system that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive uses when assessing personal circumstances and housing needs of applicants applying for social rented housing. If you apply to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, you will be assessed under the selection scheme and awarded points for your various housing needs. You will be ranked accordingly on the common waiting list.
 
Our allocations team have access to the Housing Executive system and will target vacancies to those tenants registered on the waiting list. Tenants will then be informed in writing of any vacancies. The decision to allocate accommodation is based on points and/or any other criteria specified by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in consideration of the application.
It is important to note that an applicant’s position on the list is subject to change and any changes of circumstances must be reported to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as   it may have an impact on your application

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL RENTED HOUSING

If you are not currently in Social Rented accommodation and wish to apply then you need to apply via the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
 
Alternatively you can pick the Housing/Transfer Application Form at any Housing Executive or housing association office.

Even if you have applied to a housing association, your application will be assessed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive using the Selection Scheme.

If you are currently in Social Rented Accommodation and you wish to transfer to other similar accommodation you will need to apply via  your current social landlord.

Alternatively you can collect a Housing/Transfer Application Form at any Housing Executive or housing association office.

Please ensure that you return your completed form to your current social landlord to begin the application process.

When the application has been received the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or your social landlord will arrange an appointment to visit you in order to complete your application.

THE NEXT STEP IN APPLYING FOR RENTED SOCIAL HOUSING

If you are living in Social Rented Housing your current landlord will arrange for a Housing Officer to assess your current circumstances. The housing officer will then determine your housing needs and place you on the common waiting list.

APPLYING FOR SOCIAL RENTED HOUSING OUTSIDE NORTHERN IRELAND

If applying for Social Rented Housing outside Northern Ireland your eligibility for housing in Northern Ireland and your housing needs will be assessed in the same way as any other applicant.

However, as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will not be able to carry out a visit, you will be asked to complete a Housing/ Transfer and Self Assessment form. 
 
Applicants should return the Housing/ Transfer and self-assessment form to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive district office for the area in which they would like to be housed.

Once The Northern Ireland Housing Executive receives the Housing/ Transfer and Self-Assessment form applicants will be assessed in accordance with their housing needs.

If the applicant is eligible they will be placed on the common waiting list for the areas and landlords of their choice.

 

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