Who Can Apply?

We welcome applicants from a wide range of persons over the age of 16 years who are resident in the United Kingdom, such as those:

• In great need – caused by personal housing problems.
• On modest incomes working in Cardiff.
• Actively involved in supporting community activities.
• Who can handle responsibility and can conduct a tenancy reasonably and sensibly.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes. The exceptions are:

• Owner occupiers who wish to sell their homes simply to realise a capital asset.
• Former tenants of CCHA who still have an outstanding debt with the Association.
• Any person who has debts outstanding on a former tenancy unless it can be shown that satisfactory arrangements have been made to clear the debt.
• Any person whose income is sufficient to enable them to resolve their own housing problems.
• Our aim is to house on low or modest incomes. Details of the exact income limits are available upon request. As a general guide, applications will be considered from those who do not have the means to reasonably afford the purchase price or rental of accommodation equivalent in quality and amenity to that provided by CCHA.
• Any person who has been evicted (or was due to be evicted but left voluntarily) for causing neighbour nuisance or harassment, unless the nuisance/harassment took place over 5 years ago, or there has been a significant change in the applicant's personal circumstances.
• Current council or housing association tenants unless they are over 55 years of age or require disabled persons’ accommodation.

Community Living - Our Inclusive Approach To Letting Our Homes

Community Living is our inclusive approach to the letting of our homes. Communities should be places where people want to live, where people choose to live. We want our tennants to live in homes which are part, not set apart, from their local communities. We want to develop and support communities by taking an inclusive approach to lettings and widening choice. A key ingredient of Community Living is encouraging and recognising the potential contribution individual members of the community can make to achievement of this aim. Accordingly, points can be awarded to reflect this contribution.

As part of our efforts to encourage community development, some or our lettings will be made only to applicants who can satisfy one or more of our Community Living points criteria, such as:

• Working in the city.
• Showing you are helping or supporting your local community.
• Simply by showing that you have conducted your tenancy reasonably and sensibly.

This applies not only to re-lets, but to particular new schemes as well.

What Does Helping my Community Mean?

A key ingredient of Community Living is encouraging community development and recognising the potential contribution individual members of the community can make to achievement of this aim. Points can be awarded to reflect this contribution.

For instance, points could be awarded if you can show, to the satisfaction of CCHA, that you are voluntarily helping a group or organisation tackling issues such as community development, social inclusion and community support. For example:

• Participation in local community action groups.
• Provision of voluntary services/support (e.g. care for the elderly).
• Helping to run local community facilities or local groups.