This has recently changed in Cardiff.  We now have one waiting list which contains all the applications to the Council and to Housing Associations in Cardiff.  Even though you may have completed a form with a Housing Association, you application now forms part of this one list called the Common Waiting List.  Enquiries about you application now need to be made to Cardiff Council on telephone number :

Application forms are availalbe directly from Council offices.  You may telephone them on the above number and they can post one directly to you.  You will also be given an envelope in which to return the completed application form.

The form contains questions about the applicants' housing circumstances such as:

• How many rooms do you currently occupy
• How many people are in your family
• If you are working or not (being unemployed does not stop you being accepted onto a housing waiting list)
• If you or your family suffer from any medical condition (applicant may need a specially adapted house or flat)
• Which area you would like to live (they will give a choice)

If help is needed to fill in the form, the Council and Association staff will assist with this.

If a person is disabled and needs specially adapted accommodation the application form will be sent on to Cardiff Accessible Homes. This is an organisation set up by a group of Housing Associations and it has a register of specially adapted properties. Alternatively you can apply directly to them.

Following this, a letter will be sent to inform the applicant if they have been placed on the waiting list. Some indication may be given about how long it may be before an offer can be made. Points will be awarded and the application will be placed in the appropriate position on the list.  An explanation of how these points have been awarded will be given.

A reference number will be given on the letter and this number is needed when any enquiry is made about the application. Make a note of it and keep it safe. This number will be asked for whenever an enquiry about your application is made and it could save a lot of time and inconvenience if it is readily available.

If the application has been unsuccessful the letter should explain why. It might be that some information has been omitted so check that all of the correct information has been given. In the case of medical issues, it is necessary to supply proof from a doctor before points can be awarded to the application. The Council WILL NOT collect the evidence from the doctor themselves, it has to be provided by the applicant. Some GPs (doctors) may charge a fee for supplying evidence and so it is wise to ask the Council if they can supply a medical form with the application. This can be submitted to the GP and he/she will complete it at no cost. This form must then be taken to the Housing Association to accompany the application form.

If there is something which is difficult to understand the housing staff are available to help.

Ethnic Monitoring

One section of the Application form is called “Ethnic Monitoring”. It asks the Applicant about such things as:

• Country of birth
• Chosen first language
• Religion

It is the Applicants choice as to whether this is filled in or not. However, it is advisable to fill this section in because it can be helpful in the future. The Landlord will then know the Applicant’s preferred language and may be able to supply an interpreter or telephone interpretation service or even write in the preferred language if necessary. They will know about religious beliefs and cultural traditions of the Applicant which can be helpful when planning visits or arranging meetings etc.

The Landlords also like to have this information so that they can show the Government that they are fair in their distribution of homes and include people from all ethnic minority backgrounds.

Applications are awarded points according to the needs of the applicant and if the application receives enough points the applicant is placed on the waiting list. It may be necessary for certain documentation to be produced in support of the application. This may be a letter from a doctor or support worker. It may be wage slips from an employer or some Bank statements.

It may be necessary to produce a Passport or Home Office document. The Council will say what they need. Do not post them. It is best to take them into the office personally and once they are copied they can be taken away with the applicant.
When these documents are produced, they will be photocopied and kept on file. It will then be necessary to wait until a suitable property becomes available which the Housing Association can offer. They will only be able to offer what is necessary for the needs indicated on the form. This is something which the Government insists upon.

Type of accommodation offered

When the time arrives to be offered accommodation each applicant will be offered a suitable property according to need. For example;

• A single person could be offered a flat with one bedroom, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom.
• A couple with a child may be offered a flat or house which has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom.
• A couple with two or more children will be offered larger accommodation.

It is the law which dictates what size property can be offered. The Associations cannot choose what size is offered.

A single person may be offered one of the following alternatives:

• One bedroom, One Kitchen, One Living Room, One Bathroom
• One bedroom/Living room, One Kitchen, One Bathroom (Bedsit)
• One bedroom, Sharing Kitchen/Living room and Bathroom

Private Landlord

The Private Landlord will offer accommodation and there is no limit to how many can be refused.

The Council

The Council will only make two offers of accommodation.  After two refusals, no more offers will be made to the applicant.