The Application Process

Applicants should:

• be over 60 years of age
• be in housing need (either inappropriately housed, homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless)
• have a local connection: be a present or previous resident of Hampstead Garden Suburb or the borough of Barnet or be a close relation or friend of a Suburb resident.

Priority will be given to applicants with a connection to the Suburb.

Applicants should also:

• be able to, and wish to, live independently
• not require residential or nursing care

Any risks identified after completion of a needs and risk assessment, must be manageable by the service.

We accept direct applications and nominations from Barnet Council Housing Department (for nine designated flats).

Normally, we operate one waiting list. The waiting list is considered and decided by the managers on individual circumstances and whether they should be considered a priority.

Applicants will be asked on the Application Form whether they wish their application to be considered a priority.

We will only make an offer of housing following a needs and risk assessment which confirms the need for the service.

We will require a Medical Form to be completed by the applicant’s GP and we may require further evidence of any information provided to support an application.

We will process all applications fairly according to the same procedure and in line with our Equal Opportunities Policy.

We will compare all applications, including the assessment of needs and risks, with the Orchard eligibility criteria in order to decide whether we can offer a service.

We will use and store all information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. 

People wishing to live at the Orchard must complete an Application Form, and oganise for their GP to fill in a medical form before being assessed and considered for a flat.

The Application Form and Assessment will be used to decide whether the applicant meets our eligibility criteria.

Procedure

Committee Members and Managers responsible for admissions will assess the details on the returned and completed Application Form and Medical form against the eligibility criteria.

The applicant at this stage will be sent a medical form for completion by their GP, which should be returned.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be advised of their right to appeal in writing, and signposted to Barnet Council Housing Department and other appropriate services.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be placed on a waiting list.

We will respond to all applicants within four weeks of receipt of a completed Application Form inviting them to attend a meeting.

A meeting will be arranged by a staff member to assess suitability.

The staff member will assess the applicant according to housing need and, in the following order:

• residency of the Hampstead Garden Suburb
• a close relation or friend in the Suburb
• previous residency of the Suburb
• residency in the borough of Barnet

When a property becomes vacant, they we will arrange a viewing with the first applicant on the  waiting list. 

A Committee Member along with the Housing Manager will review the Application Form and medical form to ensure the applicant still meets the eligibility criteria.

If information becomes available during the initial application review, which indicates that the applicant does not in fact meet the eligibility criteria, the Orchard reserves the right not to make an offer of housing.

The Orchard expects applicants to accept or decline an offer of housing within five days of the viewing and for the tenancy to commence within one week of acceptance.

Enquiries can be submitted via the jLiving website www.jliving.org.uk.

Enquiries can also be sent via email to info@jliving.org.uk or by telephone: 020 8381 4901.