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Using homehunt Priority Pass System
Through the homehunt ‘choice-based’ allocations system, we advertise our properties and registered applicants choose the ones they wish to apply for. The system prioritises applicants and takes account of their housing needs.
Where a household has significant problems with their current living arrangements, we can award Priority Passes, which are usually valid for six months. Applicants can use their Priority Passes to increase their change of being offered a property they apply for.
There are three levels of Priority Passes: Gold, Silver and Bronze. These are awarded based on the applicant’s circumstances. The table below shows the factors that decided which level of Priority Pass an applicant may be awarded.
Please remember that these are very general guidelines. If you think you may be eligible for a Priority Pass, you should contact your local Housing Officer, unless otherwise stated in the table.
| Level | Circumstance | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Homelessness | Must be nominated by Scottish Borders Council. Contact Scottish Borders Council Homeless Department, tel.: 01835 865 180 |
| ‘A’ grade health assessment | Very high priority: Re-housing is essential and urgent. | |
| Silver | Significant overcrowding | Where the required number of bed spaces exceeds the number available. |
| ‘B’ grade health assessment | High priority: Re-housing would produce a great improvement in the applicant’s quality of life. | |
| Unsuitable housing (higher level) | The applicant’s current property (a) lacks a basic amenity such as piped water, indoor flushing toilet, separate cooking facilities, or (b) has been assessed by Scottish Borders Council to be below ‘tolerable standards’. For (b) contact SBC Environmental Health, tel.: 01835 884000 | |
| Under-occupancy | One or more bedrooms unused (certain properties only). | |
| Bronze | Minor overcrowding | Awarded in instances of overcrowding not covered by Significant Overcrowding priority. |
| ‘C’ grade health assessment | Medium priority: Re-housing would produce a significant improvement in the applicant’s quality of life | |
| Unsuitable housing (lower level) | The applicant’s current property (a) lack certain amenities such as wash basin, a fixed heating source, or (b) has been assessed by Scottish Borders Council to be in ‘severe disrepair’, or (c) can be demonstrated to be totally unsuitable for the household. For (b) contact SBC Environmental Health, tel.: 01835 884000 | |
| Specific need to be in a community | Where a move is necessary to stay working, to offer care or support to another person, or to stay living independently. |
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