Appropriate housing is vital for the independence and quality of life of disabled people. Unfortunately appropriate housing can often be difficult to find. This fact sheet gives details of some of the places for you to start if you are seeking housing.

Social Rented Housing
Social housing is rented housing provided by your local council, housing association or local housing agency. So the first place to start if you require rented housing, but do not want to go straight to a private landlord, is your local council housing department.

The advisory section provides assistance for council tenants who wish to purchase their home and advice to landlords and tenants in the private rented sector.

Council Housing
Doncaster Home Choice is the way of allocating council homes in Doncaster. It is a 'choice based' lettings scheme, which means you can choose which home, in which area you would like to live in. You must be registered with Doncaster Homes Choice. Contact St Leger Homes of Doncaster on 01302 862 628 for an application pack. If you are already registered with St Leger Homes for re-housing, you will automatically be registered with Doncaster Home Choice. You are able to bid on up to three properties each week, either, through the Doncaster Home Choice website, through the automated telephone system on 0800 027 6235 or through the text service on 07781 484 771. To take into account your housing needs there are five bands - Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and General. The General Band is for applicants who have the financial capacity to resolve their own housing need. You will be banded according to your priority under the new allocations policy. All of the properties will be advertised and open to all bands. The same system of giving priority to a specific band is still in place. This means that whatever band you are placed in - whether bronze, silver, gold, platinum or general - you can express an interest in up to three properties you are eligible for each week. If there are no successful bids from the band highlighted on the property, all other bids will be considered in priority order starting with the platinum band. Properties will be advertised from a Thursday morning at 00:01am and will close on Monday night at 11:59 pm Short-lists will then be produced and the successful applicant will be contacted by the following Wednesday or Thursday following closure of the advertisement.
Sometimes there is a need to Direct Match a property to an applicant because of their individual circumstances. These cases are assessed by the Housing Assessment Panel and may include:

Accessible Housing Register
When registering your housing application, or if your circumstances change and your current home is no longer suitable for your needs, through either physical or mental illness, you will be asked to complete a Medical Self Assessment. You will be assessed on the information you have provided in the form. Where necessary, you may be further assessed via a home visit from a Medical Support Officer from St Leger Homes or an Occupational Therapist from Doncaster Council. If your current property is not suitable to meet your needs your application will be added to the Accessible Housing Register.If your are placed on the Accessible Housing Register, you will still be able to bid on properties of which you are eligible for within your current band.

Housing Associations
Housing associations are overseen by the local council which sets standards and regularly monitors each association.
(See our fact sheet for a list of Housing Associations)

Mutual Exchange Scheme
The Mutual Exchange Scheme enables existing tenants within the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Area to exchange tenancies. Each tenant must move into their exchange partners property. Older and disabled council tenants wishing to move to another area under the scheme should initially contact the Homes Officer.

Disabled Facilities Grant
This is a means tested grant which is mandatory in some situations. It is available for adaptations to allow a disabled person to live more independently in their own home. Owner occupiers, private tenants, landlords and council or housing association tenants can all apply.
The grant is available for a wide variety of adaptations, including alterations to the entrance of the property, adaptations to the bathroom, kitchen or living room, stair-lifts and adaptations to electrical controls and heating.
The adaptations will depend on the individual needs of a disabled person and an assessment from an Occupational Therapist. The maximum amount for a mandatory grant is £30,000. However the income and assets of the disabled person and their spouse will be taken into account and they may have to make a contribution. (Disabled Facilities Grants)

Home Alarm Service
This service is for elderly and vulnerable adults living in Doncaster regardless of whether their accommodation is private, rented or owner occupied. When activated, be the touch of a button, the alarm raises a call to the monitoring centre where trained advisers can deal with emergencies quickly and efficiently. This service is chargeable, however, if you are aged 65 and over and in receipt of Housing or Council Tax Benefit the service is free. There is not installation fee.

Contacts

Housing Options and Advice Service
Kings Mews
64 - 66 East Laith Gate
Doncaster
DN1 1JD
Tel: 01302 862 043
Fax: 01302 862 006

Doncaster YMCA Housing Association
31 Wood Street
Doncaster
DN1 3LH
Tel: 01302 342 148
The association provides supported accommodation in Doncaster town centre for 26 young people aged 16-30.

Doncaster Mind Supported Housing Project
C/o 27-29 Netherhall Road
Doncaster
DN1 2PG
Tel: 01302 342 525
Fax: 01302 812190
Provides a supported housing service for people who have or have experienced a mental health illness.Tenancies are offered on a single person basis only. The project offers short hold tenancies (maximum stay is 2 years).

Doncaster Womens Aid
19 Priory Place
Doncaster
DN1 1BZ
Tel: 01302 321 432
Tel: 01302 326 411
E-mail: mail@doncaster-womens-aid.co.uk
Temporary refuge accommodation for women and their children (boys up to 16 years old).
The advice line is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 11am and 2 pm.

Doncaster Housing for Young People (DHYP)
11 Chequer Road
Doncaster
DN1 2AA
Tel: 01302 738198
Email: dhyp@btconnect.com

The M25 Housing and Support Group
Open House Plus
College Road
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 3JH
Tel: 01302 369 360
Fax: 01302 368 487
Website: www.m25group.org.uk
Description:
Services for those who are homeless or socially excluded.