 In November 2005 we launched Homechoice@Colchester, our choice based lettings scheme. We advertise available Colchester Borough Homes and Housing Association properties fortnightly. Applicants on the housing needs register are able to tell us which properties they are interested in. The interested applicants in the highest band will be offered a viewing. There will be no penalties for refusing a property. You can see the available properties at our new Homechoice@Colchester shop next to Angel Court, or see our website: http://www.homechoiceatcolchester.org.uk.
For further information about Homechoice see our leaflets:
Gateway to Homechoice - Choice Based Lettings Scheme
The way in which social housing is allocated across the Greater Haven Gateway is set to change at the end of 2008.
The following Local Authorities are working on developing the new Choice Based Lettings (CBL) scheme for the Greater Haven Gateway. The local authorities that form the Partnership are:
- Babergh District Council
- Braintree District Council
- Colchester Borough Council
- Ipswich Borough Council
- Maldon District Council
- Mid Suffolk District Council
- Suffolk Coastal District Council
Tendring Council have deferred their decision at this time to join the sub-regional scheme.
Under CBL, landlords will advertise their properties and customers then choose which homes they are interested in applying for. The Councils have adopted one common allocations policy against which everyone will be assessed. An applicant will only need to apply to one of the Councils but can be considered for housing in all of the areas.
A common allocations policy has been developed and consultation on this policy was from December 2007-February 2008. The policy has now been approved by all of the above Councils – Tendring Council have deferred their decision to join the scheme at the present time. The full policy can be downloaded here. This policy will come into effect when choice based lettings is introduced at the end of 2008.
We are now developing our scheme and existing applicants will be contacted during the next few months giving them details of how the scheme will operate and what they will need to do to take part in the scheme.
If you wish to find out more about the scheme please download our latest newsletter.
For further information
Please contact the Project Worker – Clive Currey on:
clive.currey@colchester.gov.uk
Customer Rehousing Charter Participants at early Choice Based Lettings consultation events requested that the scheme included appropriate support for vulnerable people. In consultation with local statutory and voluntary agencies the project team have written a 'Vulnerable Peoples Strategy' called 'Ensuring Participation in Choice Based Lettings'. The Strategy details how we will look at potential barriers to the scheme and identify solutions and contains an action plan detailing work and timescales.
Read more about the Vulnerable Peoples Strategy. If you want to be considered for a Council property or Housing Association property you will need to join the Housing Needs Register by completing an application form. If you want to move from one Council or Housing Association house to another you can apply for a transfer by completing an application form. Forms can be obtained from the Housing Needs Department, Colchester Borough Council, PO Box 887, Town Hall, High Street, Colchester CO1 1ZG. Or you can pick up a form from the Housing Advice Centre at Angel Court or the Greenstead Local Housing Office, Hawthorn Avenue, Greenstead. If you ring on 282565, 282569, 282564 or 507835 we will arrange for a form to be sent to you or you can download a copy of the application form here.
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