Finding a Home

We are pleased to announce a choice based lettings system is currently underway for Tamworth.

The Council is moving to a choice based lettings system to provide a simplified housing allocation process that enables its customer’s greater opportunity to decide where they want to live and when they want to move. It will still be based on meeting peoples’ housing needs.

The choice based lettings system will be launched early in 2010 and the new service will be called ‘Finding a Home’.

The next steps

On 30 July 2009 Councillors approved plans to introduce a choice based lettings housing allocation policy;

A full copy of this draft policy is available under the heading more information on the right
A planned programme of consultation and information sharing has now begun with all applicants on the housing register, existing tenants and other external agencies.

Latest update

The points system is in the process of transferring to one of bandings. From Monday 14th December we will be writing out to everyone on the housing register waiting list to advise them of their indicative priority band award.

People will have the opportunity to ask for this decision to be reviewed and will need to provide evidence to support this ahead of the points system being phased out.

In the New Year we will be writing out again to confirm to all applicants their banding award ahead of the points system being phased out.

Look out for next edition of Open House for more details about the latest progress in the development of the ‘Finding A Home Service’

Consultation events held so far

December 2009 we held workshops for local agencies and support services so they are fully briefed to be able to assist people in registering for housing and expressing an interest in advertised homes.

The closing date for feedback has now passed. As at the end of November we had over 200 returned questionnaires. We are now busy analysing your feedback and will publishing our findings in the New Year.

September’s edition of Open House included details about the banding system, how it will work day to day and how we will transfer applications to the new way of working.

August 2009 – The Tenant Consultative Group agreed a summary booklet of the new choice based lettings policy that outlines the changes in the way the Council will be allocating its available properties.

At the Summer Festival 30 August 2009 in the Castle Grounds, housing staff were available to talk freely through any concerns people may have had; over 200 people visited our stall.

We are currently developing new systems and are working towards offering workshops to give our customers the opportunity to ‘express an interest’ under test conditions.

Watch this space for more information.

As part of the development stage it is planned for a dedicated area in Marmion House reception where properties will be advertised, portals will be available for people to register their interest on line and staff will be on hand to offer help and guidance.

Is there anything applicants need to do today?

Yes, please make sure all your household information on the housing application is up to date as this information will determine your level of points today and what band you will be placed over the next coming month.