Choice Based Lettings Wednesday 11 th February 2009

Choice Based Lettings Wednesday 11 th February 2009 Zahid Amin, Senior Manager , Housing Choice & Support Services Zahid. amin@salford. go. uk Ian Hilton, Principal Officer Ian. hilton@salford. gov. uk 0161 604 7700

Housing Connections Partnership • • Launched in July 2007 Vision to be a centre of excellence Based at St James’s 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

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.

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

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

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

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

CBL IN Salford ACCESS • Advertising is via the property sheets and website • How to bid: - online @ 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CBL Facts and Figures 17 Months Pre CBL Mar 05 – July 07 17 Months Post CBL Aug 07 – Jan 09 2, 253 484 N/A 102 Number of bids N/A 219, 229 Voids available 4, 455 3, 675 Homeless Applicants Rehoused Number of Trade Downs

CBL Myth busting • Most homes let through CBL are given to homeless applicants Successful applicants by band: Band A – 3% Regeneration Band B - 29% Medical need and homeless Band C - 55% Housing Need Band D – 13% No housing need or Local connection

CBL Myth Busting • Letting homes through CBL creates ghettos and segregation: Research 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.

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.

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

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

Question and Answer Session