Overview

When Apex offers tenancies it is allocated through the Common Selection Scheme.

The Common Selection Scheme represents a single gateway into social housing in Northern Ireland, let on a permanent basis, whether owned and managed by the Housing Executive or any housing associations operating in Northern Ireland. These bodies are known as Participating Landlords. The scheme provides a ‘One Stop Shop’ for applicants and promotes equitable treatment by using common criteria to assess the housing needs of all applicants.

Applying from within Northern Ireland?

If you are applying for housing and currently live in Northern Ireland, please download the Housing/Transfer Application form or obtain a form from any Housing Executive office or Housing Association office, by telephoning or calling into the office.

• Download the Housing/Transfer Application form
• Or contact the Housing Executive on 03448 920 900 to apply by phone.

If you think you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless you should contact the Housing Executive as soon as possible on 03448 920 900. Homelessness is dealt with through the Housing Executive Area Offices or in the case of Belfast through the Housing Executive’s dedicated Homelessness Services Unit.

What if I live outside Northern Ireland?

Your eligibility for housing in Northern Ireland and your housing needs will be assessed in the same way as any other applicant. However, as the Housing Executive cannot carry out a visit, you will need to complete the Housing Transfer application and Self-Assessment form.

Download the Housing/Transfer Application form

What to do next

Please return the form to the Housing Executive office responsible for the area where you live, or you can return it to your nearest Housing Association who will send it to the correct office.

How your application is assessed

When you apply you will be assessed and awarded points according to your housing need. The level of points awarded will determine your position on the waiting list. You may qualify for the award of points under four categories:

• Intimidation – Points will be awarded under this category where:

  Your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged (by explosion, fire, or other means);
  OR
  You cannot reasonably be expected to live or to resume living in your home because if you were to do so, in the opinion of the Housing Executive, these would be a serious and imminent risk that you, or a member of your household, would be killed or seriously injured.

  The circumstances above must arise as a result of terrorist, sectarian or racial attack, or fear of an attack motivated by hostility because of an individual’s disability or sexual orientation or as a result of an attack by a person who falls within the scope of the Housing Executive’s statutory powers to address neighbourhood nuisance or other similar forms of anti-social behaviour. Detailed investigations will be necessary to establish if any of the above criteria apply and to decide to award Intimidation points

• Insecurity of Tenure – this refers to situations where applicants are homeless or threatened with homelessness. The level of points applicable may vary depending on the duty owed under legislation.
• Housing Conditions – points awarded under this category reflect adverse housing circumstances both in terms of physical conditions and the degree of sharing/overcrowding being experienced.
• Health/Social Well Being Assessment – a comprehensive range of health and social well-being circumstances are acknowledged under this category. These include an applicant’s ability to function within their existing home as well as any social, support and care needs they may have.

Points awarded under any of these categories will decide your position on the waiting list. You will be informed of your points total in writing.

Notification

You will be informed in writing that your application has been received and has been registered. An appointment will then be made to assess your application. This letter will also confirm your housing reference number which should be used when querying your place on the waiting list for your area of choice with any Housing Executive or Housing Association office.

Following your assessment you will be informed in writing if your application for housing is successful or unsuccessful.

• if your application has been turned down you will be informed of the reason.
• if your application is successful you will be informed of your points and there will be written confirmation of your areas of choice.