People who own their own homes will only qualify to join Home Options in exceptional circumstances.  

These circumstances could include owner-occupiers who:  

• live in conditions of disrepair or in unsuitable accommodation and who are vulnerable due to age, a long-term medical condition or disability  
• have experienced a change of circumstances and their home is at risk (applicants must have approached their local housing options team and their homelessness cannot be prevented)  
• may need low-level support and be eligible to move to Extra Care accommodation  

We will take all the resources available to applicants into account. This could include the value of the property as well as any grants available for repair. Options other than rehousing through Home Options may be more appropriate. If so, the applicant may also be referred to other agencies.  

Average house prices and Home Options equity levels for partner authority areas

• Amber Valley: average house price £169,426, Home Options equity level £84,713 
• Chesterfield: average house price £156,845, Home Options equity level £78,423 
• Derbyshire Dales: average house price £283,321, Home Options equity level £141,661 
• Erewash: average house price £162, 520, Home Options equity level £81,260 
• High Peak: average house price £199,753, Home Options equity level £99,877 
• Staffordshire Moorlands: average house price £182,340, Home Options equity level £91,170 

Source: UK House Price Index: average price for all property types – April 2019. 

It is expected that property owners and former property owners with equity above the Home Options equity level will use their equity to secure suitable accommodation for themselves. 

All tenures should be considered, including further purchase of property and privately rented accommodation. For this reason, they may receive lower priority on the housing register. Each case will be assessed upon its own merits, including the applicant’s long-term needs, their ability to raise a mortgage or access other housing options. 

Applicants who own, or used to own property, and those with equity, must declare any interests in land, property or equity that they have. Property owners who are rehoused through Home Options are expected to take reasonable steps to sell the property they own.

Applicants should take advice about the implications for affordability of any future rented property as disposal of property can have an impact upon claims for welfare benefits. 

For more details, please see our Home Options policy.