Choice-Based Lettings
Over the past two years both the London Borough of Croydon and the London Borough of Sutton have brought greater choice to the way in which homes are allocated through their own Council stock and local housing associations. The systems differ slightly but effectively allow those people on the Council's waiting list to have a greater choice in the type of home they are allocated to. In general those schemes are still based upon the needs of individuals and more information can be obtained from the London Borough of Croydon on 020 8686 4433 or the London Borough of Sutton on 020 8770 5000.
The Choice Based method of allocating properties aims to provide greater customer choice to applicants and residents. It is a bid to move away from the old style of matching one applicant per property.
The Housing Corporation has carried out a valuation and stated that Choice Based Lettings are:
- Far more open and transparent
- The extra effort of having to bid for a property is worthwhile given the benefits of the new approach
- Works better for BME Communities and vulnerable marginalised groups
- Leads to improvements in void periods and refusal rate
Sutton Council already runs a choice based lettings system called Sutton HomeChoice (www.suttonhomechoice.org.uk) and Croydon Council is running a pilot scheme. The Government has set a target for this new system to be nationwide by 2010.
CCHA's role in this new system is to seek to offer choice while giving preference to those in priority need. We also need to give reasonable assistance to the Local Authorities, and be able to show this in the way we work with them. We are currently developing a new Lettings and Transfers Policy which will further develop choice.
