CHOICE BASED LETTINGS
The way social housing is allocated is undergoing massive change.
The government has asked all local councils to introduce a new method of letting social housing by 2010.
In order to meet the legal requirement for allocations of social housing as set out in the “Housing Act (1996), amended by the Homelessness Act 2002, Choice Based Lettings is being introduced by East Hampshire District Council and aims to have the system in place by the middle of March 2009.
We will be implementing CBL as part of a sub regional partnership that is made up of
• Havant Borough Council
• East Hampshire District Council
• Winchester City Council.
Once implemented Choice Based Lettings will………….
• Provide a single system of allocations across the whole sub region .
• Provide a system that customers can understand and which is both open and fair.
• Increase sustainability of local communities.
• Facilitate genuine opportunities for mobility across sub region
• Assist customers in the highest assessed need and minimise homelessness
• Ensure that vulnerable customers and difficult to reach groups are supported in being able to participate.
For details on how this new scheme will work please click here
Consultation
Consultations are now underway and the first focus group was held on the 16th of September 2008. Please click here for the full schedule
• We will ensure that consultation is used in decision making and translates into action.
• We will feedback consultation findings to consultees and publish the results more widely.
• We will ensure that consultation is both inclusive and representative.
The consultation will be carried out using the following media
• Newsletters
• Forums
• Leaflets
• Mail shots
• Web and paper based questionnaire.
Vulnerable and hard to reach groups
To ensure that everyone is able to take part in the scheme, a number of measures will be put in place to protect vulnerable people from being disadvantaged. We will:
- Provide appropriate advice and assistance.
- Translate key documents where necessary.
- Provide information in other formats where necessary. A browse aloud feature will also be included on the actual choice based lettings site.
- Develop partnership working with support agencies.
- Undertake monitoring and regular reviews of the allocations policies.
- Hold a list of customers who require additional help with the scheme.
- Implement a full monitoring system to ensure vulnerable people are using the scheme successfully.
Further Information
If you would like further information about the scheme please contact Bukola George, projects co-ordinator by emailing bukola.george@easthants.gov.uk