Use the Housing and Transfer Application Form to apply for permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive or a housing association. If you are currently a Housing Executive or housing association tenant you should apply for a transfer or exchange instead of using the Selection Scheme.

The Housing Executive will assess your application using the Selection Scheme. Accommodation is given to the applicant with the highest points total seeking accommodation in an area.

• Applying for accommodation
• Housing Executive assessment
• How accommodation is allocated
• Do I have to accept the accommodation I'm offered?
• Who doesn't apply using the selection scheme?

Applying for accommodation

The Housing Executive and housing associations use the same application form. You can download the application form or you can pick it up in a Housing Executive or housing association office . You can return your completed form to any Housing Executive or housing association office. If you apply to a housing association, the Housing Executive will also assess you for housing.

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Housing Executive assessment

The Housing Executive will visit you within two weeks of receiving your form. The visit allows the Housing Executive to assess you circumstances. You will be awarded points in four categories.

• intimidation
• homelessness points
• housing conditions
• health / social well being assessment

Letters from the Housing Executive

You will get a letter within a week of your assessment which will tell you your points total and explain how you got your points. You will get two letters if the Housing Executive decide that you are homeless:

• one letter explains that you have been given 70 points as a Full Duty Applicant;
• one letter explains how many points you have been given when the Housing Executive assessed you in your home.

The waiting list

Your name goes on the waiting list for permanent accommodation. The Housing Executive and housing associations use the waiting list to decide who gets permanent accommodation. The Housing Executive and housing associations can't tell you:

• how many points you will need to get a house;
• your position on the waiting list.

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How accommodation is allocated

In general, each property is offered to the applicant with the highest number of points. If you have the same number of points as another applicant, the accommodation is offered to the applicant who has been waiting longest.

You are usually only offered accommodation in the areas you chose when completing your application. The Housing Executive can offer you accommodation outside your areas of choice if you are a Full Duty Applicant.

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Do I have to accept the accommodation I'm offered?

You don't have to accept the accommodation you are offered. You are entitled to three reasonable offers of permanent accommodation. The accommodation must be suitable for your needs, and the needs of anyone that lives with you. The Housing Executive or housing association should ensure that:

• the accommodation is suitable for the size of your household;
• the accommodation is close to your area of choice;
• any special needs of your household are addressed;
• the accommodation is safe for occupation.

What happens if I refuse three reasonable offers?

If you refuse three reasonable offers of accommodation you will not receive any further offers of permanent accommodation for a year. If you think that you have been offered unreasonable accommodation you should get advice before refusing the offer.

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Who doesn't apply using the selection scheme?

If you think you are homeless you should apply for help from the Housing Executive directly. You may be able to get temporary accommodation from the Housing Executive while it investigates your situation.

If you are a Housing Executive or housing association tenant

Current Housing Executive or housing association tenants can move by applying for a transfer or an exchange. You will have to fill in a transfer application which you can get from your landlord.

If you are applying for accommodation outside Northern Ireland

Housing Executive or housing association tenants can apply for accommodation in England, Scotland or Wales using two schemes: HOMES and Homeswaps. You can only use the HOMES scheme if you have to move for pressing reasons. For example, to take up employment or for family support. Any tenant can apply to move using the Homeswaps scheme.

Advice is available from Housing Rights Service or Shelter.