Ethos Public Relations Manchester

More choice for people on housing waiting list

by Ethos public relations

Hyndburn Homes, one of the region's biggest social landlords has introduced a new housing allocation system for the 2,300 people on its waiting list.

Nigel Fenton from Hyndburn Homes said: "The new system called b-with-us is known as a choice based letting scheme. It will provide residents with a wider choice of properties across a bigger geographical area and hopefully go some way to helping to alleviate housing need in our area."

Under the new system, housing applicants will be able to select vacant social housing properties not just across Hyndburn, but also across Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Rossendale. All empty properties in these areas will be advertised and applicants will 'bid' for the property they want. The person with the highest housing need will usually be offered the property.

Everyone on the housing waiting list in these areas has been notified in writing of the changes and has been sent information booklets which provide details about choosing a new home and how the waiting list bands are calculated.

Twenty one social housing organisations across East Lancashire have signed up to the scheme and are working in partnership to give access to over 24,000 rented properties across the area. This means that all the organisations involved will share one housing register and one allocations policy.

If you are currently on the housing waiting list in Hyndburn and would like further information or advice about the new scheme, contact b-with-us on 0300 123 22 00.

Posted at 9^th December 2009