CYGNET HOUSING ASSOCIATION BASILDON FOYER

Swan does not hold a waiting list for direct applications for general needs housing unless the person wishing to apply already lives in a Swan property and has lived within their household for the last 3 years. Most Swan properties are let to people nominated through their local authority, the remainder are let to existing tenants on Swan's transfer list.

Swan operates a banding system to manage transfer applications. Each application is placed in one of four bands depending on the household's housing need.One of the main reasons people want to move is because their current home is too small for their family. To tackle this we have introduced a ‘downsizing scheme’. Under this scheme people can receive cash payments of up to £4500 for moving from a large property which they no longer need to somewhere smaller (a £4500 payment is based on someone moving from a 4 bed to a 1 bed). To qualify for the downsizing scheme you must be registered on the transfer list.

Another scheme we have introduced to tackle overcrowding is to allow household members aged over 18 years, who have lived within the household for at least 3 years to register for a studio or one bedroom flat. This will give adult children the chance to move into their own home and free up bedroom space for their younger siblings. Priority is given to those sharing a bedroom and any offer of accommodation will usually be within the same area.