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There are over 200 housing associations and housing co-operatives in Scotland registered with the Scottish Government Regulator, with 4 local and several national associations providing a range of accommodation in the Highland Council area. Their names, addresses and contacts, etc. are listed at the end of this section.
Registered housing associations are non-profit making friendly societies, although there are a few exceptions. They are run by professional staff, but controlled by voluntary management committees. Housing associations get grants from the Government's national housing agency, Communities Scotland, towards the costs of building homes for rent or shared ownership. It is important to recognise that nowadays housing associations are the main providers of new and affordable housing opportunities for local people in housing need. Government policy has made it financially unattractive for Councils to build new homes.
The Council has nomination agreements with all the housing associations in the Highlands. People with housing need who are applying for housing from a housing association should be encouraged to explore all their housing options and also apply to the Council and vice versa.
Housing Associations In Highland
There are four Highland based housing associations operating in the Highlands:
- Lochaber HA has housing stock in the Lochaber area
- Lochalsh and Skye HA has housing stock in the Lochalsh and Skye area
- Pentland HA has housing stock in the Caithness area
- Albyn HA has housing stock throughout the Highlands - in Badenoch & Strathspey, Caithness, Inverness, Nairn, Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland.
Several national housing associations also have housing stock in the Highlands. While most provide only specialist housing some provide a mixture of general and specialist housing. Of these:
- Cairn HA has housing stock in Badenoch and Strathspey, Caithness, Inverness, Nairn, Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland. Some of the housing is sheltered.
- Link HA has housing stock in Fort William and Kyle of Lochalsh.
- Hanover (Scotland) HA has housing stock in Lochaber, Badenoch & Strathspey and Inverness
- Margaret Blackwood HA has housing in Badenoch and Strathspey, Inverness, Lochaber and Ross & Cromarty.
- Trust HA has housing in Caithness, Inverness, Nairn, Skye and Lochalsh, Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland.
- Key HA has housing stock in Inverness & Nairn. They also have registered supported accommodation in Caithness, Inverness, Lochaber, Ross & Cromarty and Sutherland
You can see how many houses each housing association has in each community in the Highlands in Appendix D.
The numbers of housing association properties are increasing every year. Since 2001 around 156 new housing association properties have been available each year in the Highlands. The housing associations are providing new housing in communities where they previously had none, as well as increasing their housing in areas where they are established. It is sensible therefore to apply to the housing associations operating in the wider area where housing is needed, even if they do not have housing in the particular community wanted.
An applicant's chance of being offered a Council property is influenced by how often a vacancy occurs in any one of the applicant's choices of letting area. It is also influenced by the number of points the application has been awarded and what position this places it in comparison with other applications who have also chosen that letting area.
You can see how many Housing Association properties have become available to let in the last year, and the number of people on the various waiting lists in Appendix F
Another housing organisation called The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust (HSCHT) also operates in the Highlands:. They work with small rural communities to identify their local housing needs and develop practical housing solutions to meet those needs. They have a number of housing development workers working across the Highlands. More information on what The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust does, and how you can ask for their help, can be found at Section 6
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Who can Apply?
All the housing associations accept applications from persons who are 16 years and over. Individual housing associations also have certain qualifying factors. These are set out below:
Albyn Housing Society
Albyn Housing Society aims to prioritise those in greatest need. Persons can apply for housing at any time. Their housing need will be assessed by a points system which gives priority to insecure or inadequate housing.
In some areas a local lettings initiative is in place. These are areas where housing has been built to meet a specific need identified by the local community, eg people living in tied cottages or caravans. Allocations will generally only be made to people who meet the criteria set. All applicants will be notified if there is a local lettings initiative in the area where they have applied for housing.
Cairn Housing Association
Cairn Housing Association aims to prioritise those in greatest need. Persons in housing need can apply and be assessed for housing at any time.
Flora Macdonald House, Inverness
Flora MacDonald House provides accommodation with basic housing support to single women who are at least 16 years old. They are unable to provide accommodation for women with their children. You can get more information under Section 01.b Services for Homeless People
Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association
The Association maintains several different housing lists for specific areas of Skye and Lochalsh and for different sized properties. Once applications have been made, applicants will be placed on the appropriate list for the area(s) in question. Vacancies will normally be allocated to the applicant on the appropriate list who has the highest number of points. Applicants will be informed about other possible alternative sources of housing.
Lochaber Housing Association
Applicants should complete The Highland Council’s waiting list application to apply for properties owned by Lochaber Housing Association. The Council administers the waiting list and will nominate the applicants to the Housing Association for each vacancy that arises. Applications will be accepted from anyone over 16 years of age. Allocations will be made to those applicants who have the most points. However, when the HA specifically builds or adapts housing with a certain category or group of applicants in mind, such persons will be given overall priority for allocation of that housing (for example elderly or disabled people).
Pentland Housing Association
As a locally based community association, Pentland HA aims to provide for local people within those communities in which they have a well established residential or employment or family connection. Nonetheless, their waiting list is open to all people in housing need and priority will be assessed purely on the degree of need based on their points system.
Margaret Blackwood Housing Association
This housing association focuses on people who require specially designed accommodation because of a physical disability or sensory impairment. Other disabled people who do not require specially designed housing may get access to the Association’s general needs / elderly amenity stock through Council nominations.
Link Housing Association
The waiting list is open to anyone aged 16 or over and who is able to maintain an independent tenancy.
Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association
Applications are invited from people aged a minimum of 16 years for general needs properties, 55 years for amenity properties and 60 years for sheltered properties. Consideration will be given to applicants for amenity or sheltered housing who have not yet reached 55 years but can demonstrate a need for supported housing.
Trust Housing Association
This association provides amenity, sheltered and very sheltered housing. Waiting lists are open to applicants over 16, but allocations policy gives priority to people in need of housing support.
Key Housing Association
This association aims to provide housing in the community for adults with learning difficulties. The housing is a mixture of general needs, rented and supported accommodation. To help achieve balanced communities, they allocate a proportion of their housing stock to tenants who do not need support. Whilst they are not required to give any formal input into the project they are asked to be a ‘good neighbour’.
People seeking unsupported housing require to be nominated by the Council. The association does not hold a waiting list for these properties. If persons require supported housing, a direct application is made to Key. The applicant is then assessed to determine whether Key can meet the applicants specific support needs. If this is agreed then the application will be placed on the waiting list.
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Associations’ Allocation Systems
All the housing associations have allocation policies similar to the Council where points are awarded for the different housing needs that applicants have. Priority is given to those with high levels of housing need. An applicant's chance of being offered a Housing Association property is influenced by how often a vacancy occurs in any one of the applicant's choices of letting area. It will also depend on the number of points the application has been awarded and what position this places it in comparison with other applicants who have also chosen that letting area.
The Council's "Nomination" Agreement
The Highland Council has "nomination arrangements” with the housing associations operating in the Highlands. These arrangements allow the Council to nominate applicants, from the Council’s waiting and transfer list, for at least 50% of the vacancies arising in the housing association each year. When new houses are being let for the first time (i.e. not re lets) the percentage of nominations may increase up to 100%.
It is important, however, to note that the agreement only gives the Council the right to propose names of applicants. The housing association makes the final decision based on their own allocation policy.
Where and How to Apply for Housing Association Rented Housing
Contact the Housing Association direct to ask for a housing application form, or contact your local housing office who hold copies of all the Housing Association application forms. An application for housing must be made on the Housing Association’s own form. The names and addresses of housing associations and other local housing providers are listed at Appendix A.
Further Advice on the Applications and Allocations Process
Housing association staff are happy to discuss any questions arising. Applicants and those who advise applicants should not hesitate to ask housing association staff for further information and advice if it is required. Further detailed written information is also available from them.
There are several housing associations which provide special needs and sheltered housing in the Highlands.
What is Sheltered Housing?
Sheltered housing can best be described as small, easy to manage, almost always rented properties. They are grouped together in a scheme sometimes with the services of a warden. All properties are provided with a community alarm (or help call) system, for use in emergencies.
What is Very Sheltered Housing?
Trust Housing Association (formerly Kirk Care Housing Association) provide 10 units of very sheltered accommodation in their development at Lower Kessock Street, Inverness. This means that over and above the standard support services given in their sheltered housing, residents get one hot meal a day, one hour a week of domestic help, and more home visits.
What is Amenity Housing?
Amenity housing usually describes housing designed specially for older people or people with mobility difficulties. No warden service is provided although properties may have a community alarm (or help call) system, for use in emergencies.
What is Supported Housing?
Supported Accommodation is housing where support, advice or counselling is provided to the people who live there. This support aims to help them to live independently and/or to continue staying in their tenancy. The residents have particular needs for example: learning disabilities, mental health issues, vulnerable to homelessness, etc. Sometimes they have particular needs because they are young and wouldn’t be able to cope with their own tenancy.
Housing Associations with Special Needs Housing - who do they house?
- Hanover and Trust Housing Associations provide housing for older people
- Key HA provides housing for people with learning disabilities
- Margaret Blackwood HA provides housing for people with physical disabilities
- Albyn HS have some amenity and wheelchair housing
- Cairn HA have sheltered, amenity and wheelchair housing
- Birchwood Highland provide registered residential supported accommodation for people with mental health problems.
- The Highland Housing and Community Care Trust (HHCCT) was set up to meet the particular housing and care needs of people with community care needs. The Trust mainly develops new housing which is managed by local housing associations.
Details on housing options in the Inverness area for people with community care needs can be found in a booklet available from the Inverness local housing office. Alternatively a copy can be obtained from:
Eunice Wilkie
Housing Policy Officer (Community Care)
Highland Council Housing Services
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: (01463) 702889
e-mail: eunice.wilkie@highland.gov.uk
What Repairs and Maintenance will be carried out on my Housing Association property?
Responsibility for repairs to housing association houses is shared between the association and the tenant. Generally the association is responsible for maintaining the fabric and permanent fittings of the building in good condition. The tenant is responsible for internal decoration, furnishings and removable fittings. Full details of the respective responsibilities are available from the relevant housing association.
Can I get the Aids and Adaptations I need?
Support is available to help older or disabled people to continue living comfortably and independently in their own homes. Funding is available to adapt houses to suit the needs of the tenant. Typical adaptations include putting in showers, extra heating, handrails and ramped access. Generally requests should be put in writing to the Housing Association. After a referral is received, an assessment of need is carried out by an Occupational Therapist.
Can I buy my Housing Association property under the 'Right to Buy' Scheme?
Following from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, a new single social tenancy - the Scottish Secure Tenancy - was introduced on 30 September 2002 for all tenants of registered social landlords, such as housing associations. If you are, or become, a Scottish Secure Tenant with your registered social landlord (such as a housing association) you may have the legal right to buy your home at a discount.
Before 30 September 2002, some housing association tenants already had the right to buy, and this will continue so long as they remain in those tenancies. If you are a tenant of a housing association and want to confirm your right to buy status, check with your landlord.
Other tenants of registered social landlords may now be eligible to buy after a period of 10 years from 30 September 2002, although the landlord can decide to shorten this period of time or apply to have it extended.
Tenants with the Right to Buy but who live in designated Prressured Areas will not be able to buy whilst the area is designanted. See Section 02.d - Information for council tenants, for more information.
In addition, some registered housing associations have charitable status and their houses may be exempt from the right to buy.
The charitable housing associations in the Highlands are Albyn Housing Society, Cairn Housing Association, Trust Housing Association and Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association.
If you are, or become, the tenant of a registered social landlord, and are interested in finding out if you are eligible to buy your home, please contact your landlord for further details.
Can I transfer to another Housing Association property or exchange properties with another tenant?
Tenants can apply for a transfer or to join a mutual exchange scheme. Generally applications for transfer are made to the Housing Manager of the association and assessed and pointed in accordance with the individual allocation policy.
Housing Association tenants may also carry out mutual exchanges with tenants of the Highland Council and other associations.
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