The following work in partnership to provide the HomeChoiceLincs scheme:

• North Lincolnshire Council
• North East Lincolnshire Council
• Ongo
• Lincolnshire Housing Partnership Limited
• L & H Homes
• Guinness and Sanctuary Housing Association (choice based lettings scheme)

The partnership is responsible for more than 20,000 homes across North Lincolnshire.  Other Housing Associations also use the scheme to advertise their homes to let.

This scheme gives home seekers more choice and information about homes that are available throughout the whole of North Lincolnshire. If offers better opportunities to find a home you want and need.

To apply to go on the housing register you must apply online. Please see further information on the home choice lincs website.

You may decide that you would like to continue to live with your family. Or you may decide you would like the chance to try and live independently.

Social housing renting

• This type of housing has to be applied for and housing is allocated based on need and priority
• The benefits are that landlords are regulated and governed by set standards. Generally the tenancy is the most secured and rents are set at a level which reflects housing benefits
• The drawback is that the demand greatly exceeds supply

Private renting

• Private landlords are not concerned with allocation or priority of need
• There is more choice over property and location
• A private tenancy can mean less security of tenancy
• Private rent can be more expensive, and housing benefit may not cover all the cost
• Some landlords do not rent to people on housing benefits

Home ownership

• There are various Home Ownership opportunities. Please see further information on the council website.
• Shared ownership helps people with limited funds to buy a property
• There is a specialist HOLD scheme Home Ownership for people with a Long Term Disability
• To be eligible for this option, the following criteria must be met:
  • Have a long-term disability
  • Have a housing need
  • Claim higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are within the employment support group

Family investment

• Options could include:
  • Outright ownership
  • Mortgage
  • Inheritance of property
  • A group of families may purchase a property together or may pay towards some of the costs

A drop in session for Home Ownership options is held at Scunthorpe Central on the last Thursday of every month.

There are a number of specialist housing schemes in North Lincolnshire.

Purpose built or specialist housing

Purpose built or specialist housing for people with a physical disability is on offer through the Landlords that advertise with Home Choice Lincs, and people with a physical disability have priority for this.

Accommodation based schemes

Other housing offered with support called ‘accommodation based’ schemes need an agency referral to First Stop. This could be through your school or social worker. Visit the council website for further information.

Housing related support

In other cases, you can access ordinary housing via Home Choice Lincs. You can request housing related support called ‘Floating Support’.  The floating support service can also help you to apply for housing and prepare for independent living.

Housing related support helps:

• helps you to keep your tenancy
• helps with organising rent payments
• apply for benefits to help you pay the rent
• help with budgeting and setting up bill payments
• help to look after your home
• helps you get on with neighbours
• helps you find out about your new neighbourhood and access services etc.

Other Specialist and Shared Housing is available. It needs an Adult Social care referral as the council has nomination rights to some schemes. You do not always need to have a care package to be referred. You should talk about your housing options as part of the EHCP and transition planning to see what might be available when you need it.

If you need assistive technology to help you to live independently talk to your social worker. Or you can contact the Telecare Team email: telecareservices@northlincs.gov.uk. Or tel:01724 298408.

For Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit – see the council website (Benefits).

If your home needs adapting due to your disability, the council’s website (Improvements) contains details of Disabled Facilities Grants and how to go about applying for these.