Everyone who applies for permanent accommodation from the Housing Executive or a housing association is assessed using the same scheme. The Housing Executive assesses your application and awards you points based on your personal circumstances. The more points you get the higher up the list you are placed. The assessment process has four stages.

• Stage 1: Housing Executive confirms it has received the application
• Stage 2: Housing Executive visits you in your current accommodation
• Stage 3: Housing Executive assesses your application
• Stage 4: Housing Executive tells you your points total
• Keep the Housing Executive informed of any changes
• The Housing Executive says I'm not eligible

Stage 1: Housing Executive confirms it has received the application

The Housing Executive sends you a letter within seven days. The letter confirms that the Housing Executive has received your application. Contact your local Housing Executive District Office if you have not received a letter within seven days. Ask the Housing Executive to send you a letter acknowledging your application.

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Stage 2: Housing Executive visits you in your current accommodation

The Housing Executive should visit you within 21 days of your application for accommodation. If the Housing Executive does not visit you within 21 days, contact you local Housing Executive District Office.

Complete the Housing Needs Checklist before the Housing Executive visits you. This may help you remember important details when the Housing Executive is assessing you. Make sure you have the names and addresses of anyone who can support your application.

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Stage 3: Housing Executive assesses your application

The Housing Executive uses the information on your application form as well as any additional information from the visit. Make sure you give the Housing Executive all the information it needs to assess your application. The Housing Executive awards points in one or more of these categories:

• intimidation (up to 200 points)
• homelessness points (up to 90 points)
• housing conditions ( there is no maximum amount of points available)
• health / social well being ( up to 142 points)

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Stage 4: Housing Executive will tell you your points total

The Housing Executive may need to get extra information, for example, information from social services. However, you should get a letter within 14 days telling you your points total. If you don't receive a letter within 14 days, contact the Housing Executive District Office dealing with your application.

Your name goes on the waiting list for permanent accommodation. It is not possible to say how long you will have to wait for an offer. Your wait depends on:

• your points total;
• your position on the list;
• when the accommodation you need becomes available in your areas of choice.

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Keep the Housing Executive informed of any changes

You must tell the Housing Executive if your circumstances change and it is relevant to your application. It is best if you write a letter to the Housing Executive. Keep a photocopy of the letter.

• If you didn't tell the Housing Executive something which is relevant to your application use 'Additional Information Letter'
• If your circumstances (or the circumstances of someone who will live with you) have changed use 'Change of Circumstances Letter'
• If you want to change your areas of choice use the 'Areas of Choice Letter'

If you think you have not been awarded enough points check the list of common problems before complaining.

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The Housing Executive says I'm not eligible

You may not be allowed to apply for permanent accommodation if:

• you have been found guilty of unacceptable behaviour in the last two years;
• you are a foreign national;
• you have been squatting.

Get advice if the Housing Executive have said you are not eligible for permanent accommodation. Advice is available from Housing Rights Service or Shelter.