Choice Based Lettings

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Choice Based Lettings

• Wednesday 11th February 2009
• Zahid Amin, Senior Manager , Housing Choice
  Support Services
• Zahid.amin_at_salford.go.uk
• Ian Hilton, Principal Officer
• Ian.hilton_at_salford.gov.uk
• 0161 604 7700

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Housing Connections Partnership

• Launched in July 2007
• Vision to be a centre of excellence
• Based at St Jamess House and city wide
• Common services provider delivering a wide range
  of housing support services e.g.
• Housing Advice and Support
• Furnished Homes / Supported Tenancies
• Sheltered Housing Warden Service
• Salford Home Search

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Why CBL?

• Pilots seen as a success- The government
  announced that all local housing authorities
  should have introduced CBL to their allocations
  process by 2010.
• The introduction of choice is here to stay-
  Assists in delivering on a number of other
  important national strategies and plans.

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What is CBL?

• Allocations policies and procedures which
  incorporate an advertising scheme
• Normally involve applicants in a two stage
  process-Apply to join the scheme-Express an
  interest in particular accommodation
• Requires applicant to play an active role in the
  allocation process

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Benefits of CBL

• Increased transparency of the lettings function
• Helps applicants appraise their housing options
  more realistically
• Improved performance, i.e. faster re letting
  times and reduced tenancy turnover
• Empowers the applicant to make an informed choice
  about their accommodation options

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CBL IN Salford

• Salford Home Search launched in August 2007,
  following approval by Cabinet
• Applicants need to register- Contact Centre
  0161 909 6514- Visit the Shop / Salford Home
  Search- www.salfordhomesearch.co.uk- Housing
  Advice and Support Services
• Once registered can bid after 24 hrs

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CBL Banding

• Band A - Regeneration
• Band B - Stat homeless, those with a qualifying
  medical condition and children leaving care with
  a qualifying medical condition
• Band C - Children leaving care, non stat
  homeless, minor medical and other reasonable
  preference groups
• Band D - No local connection or no housing need

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CBL IN SalfordACCESS

• Advertising is via the property sheets and
  website
• How to bid- online _at_ www.salfordhomesearch.co.uk
  - Housing Advice and Support Services- Contact
  Centre 909 6514- Salford Home Search Shop-
  Salix / City West Area Offices
• - CBL Liaison Officer for Vulnerable Client
• - Pinpoint Sub Regional CBL Salford joint
  lead with Bolton

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CBL IN Salford

• Allocations Review Panel- meets every Monday
  is chaired and serviced by HCP
• Membership consists of representatives from-
  Salford Home Search- Housing Advice Service-
  Salix Homes- City West Housing Trust-
  Specialist Housing Team

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CBL IN Salford

• Purpose of ARP- Banding of properties-
  Allocations outside of CBL- Resolve operational
  issues- Identify strategic / policy issues

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Bidding

• Bid cycles run from 10am Wednesday to midnight on
  Monday
• No priority for bidding first
• Nominated bidder can bid on the applicants
  behalf
• Maximum of three bids per cycle
• Accessible Housing Register

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Bidding

• Applicants can see their place on the bid list at
  any time during the cycle
• Bids can be withdrawn
• Applicants can bid outside of their band
• List of bidders is given to the landlord, i.e.
  Salix Homes and City West. The landlord then
  makes a final decision and lets the property.
• The property is offered to the applicant at the
  top of the bid list

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Bidding

• Lettings results are available on the website
• Results will show need, waiting time and band of
  the successful applicant

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CBL Facts and Figures

• The average number of properties advertised each
  week is 60
• 3,089 is the average number of bids placed each
  week across the bands
• There are currently approx 18,420 clients on the
  housing register which is broken down into the
  following bands
• Band A - 66
• Band B - 1100 (Homeless 109)
• Band C - 7835
• Band D - 9419

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CBL Facts and Figures
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CBL Myth busting

• Most homes let through CBL are given to homeless
  applicantsSuccessful applicants by band
• Band A 3 RegenerationBand B - 29
  Medical need and homelessBand C - 55 Housing
  NeedBand D 13 No housing need or Local
  connection

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CBL Myth Busting

• Letting homes through CBL creates ghettos and
  segregationResearch from across the country
  shows that CBL helps to develop sustainable
  communities as people choose where they want to
  live and therefore, become part of the community.

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CBL Myth Busting

• You have a better chance of getting a home on my
  estate if you are not from round here
• Over 80 of applicants housed are white British.
• In addition, Landlords can create local lettings
  agreements provided they can be justified
  legally.

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The Business CaseFuture Plan

• Code of Guidance Published in August 2008
• Develop WEB based system
• Bring all RSL partners on board with CBL
• Review Allocations policy

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The Business CaseFuture Plan

• Diversify income streams Private Landlord
  Club, Properties for Sale, sponsorship of Web
• Complete housing options service linked to
  Enhanced Housing Options Trailblazer

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Question and Answer Session