What is Choice Based Lettings?
Choice Based lettings (CBL) is a new way of allocating social
housing - both council and housing association properties.
The government expects all housing authorities to have introduced a
choice based lettings system by 2010.
Braintree District Council, along with 7 other local authorities
who form the Greater Haven Gateway sub region have worked together
to establish a common CBL system.
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 District Council - deferred to a later date.
This partnership has many advantages. It allows us to
standardize the way in which people apply for housing. We are also
able to use a common method for assessing housing need and
it allows people to apply for homes that become empty outside
the traditional district and county boundaries. Previously, people
without a connection to a particular area were accepted onto the
Housing Register but had little or no priority for housing.
It may be helpful to explain why the change was needed and how
the new CBL scheme actually works.
Why change the current system?
Previously, Braintree District Council had a banding scheme but
decisions as to who were offered homes was made by Housing
Officers. When a home became available to let, they would look at
those in highest housing need and arrange for the home to be
offered to them.
And so whilst this system of letting homes had served us well
over the years, we were aware that it was not always seen as being
fair, open and transparent.
The new scheme allows the applicants to see what homes are
available in the areas of their choice, helping them to make
informed decisions about their housing options.
Since the implementation of the scheme in April 2009 a number of
enquiries regarding the surrounding policies and the general method
of allocating properties have been received.
We have compiled the following information that we feel may
help:
-Number of new applications;
-Number of applicants within each band;
-Number of applicants housed within each band; and
-Number of each property size let
In addition to the above information, choice based lettings also
takes into account other factors which contribute to the length of
time an applicant may wait to be successfully housed:
-Length of time an applicant has been registered
for: is a factor that is considered and can impact on
waiting time as much as banding position. The
"Recent Lets"
table (available by following the link) will provide more
information about the waiting time of those housed each week.
-Areas an applicant will consider living in:
the areas an applicant will consider living in can play a role in
how long they may wait to be housed. Some parts of the
Braintree District have more homes for social rent than
others as well as some areas in the district being more
popular. By considering a number of areas to live
in, an applicant may have more opportunities available to
them.
For further information please contact our Customer Services on
01376 552525 or email us on
homechoice@braintree.gov.uk