Choice Based Lettings

Changes to the Housing Allocation Policy

Weaver Vale Housing Trust is working in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester and District Housing Trust to change the way in which social housing is allocated in the Cheshire West and Chester area. Trust Homechoice is the new Choice Based Lettings scheme which was launched in the former Vale Royal and Chester areas on 12th November 2009.  

All of the partners are committed to working together to deliver excellent housing services to residents. We have developed a joint housing register and common allocation policy which has made the application process easier. 

As part of our commitment to deliver excellent housing services, we want to remove duplication and make finding a home as simple, fair and open as possible. To do this we have introduced Trust Homechoice which has replaced the current lettings processes in the old Vale Royal, Chester and Ellesmere Port and Neston council areas.

What is Choice Based Lettings (CBL)?

 Choice Based Lettings is a way of letting social rented properties where:

•  All empty properties are advertised and applicants are invited to express an interest (bid) for any vacancy which suits their need.

 • Expressing an interest means being asked to be considered for the property.

 • Expressions of interest are put in order according to the customer’s housing need priority and date of application and offers are then made accordingly.

 • The results of the successful lettings are published so that applicants are able to make informed choices about future vacancies.                         

What are the benefits of Choice Based Lettings?

 • A lettings system which is clearer and easier to understand.

 • More information about the properties available and their popularity.

•  The ability to decide when you express an interest in a property.

•  More choice and involvement when choosing a home and the area you want to live in.

•  Stability – if you choose your own home you are less likely to want to move later. 

Our Choice Based Lettings Scheme

• Vacant Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester and District Housing Trust homes are advertised on a weekly basis. This is done in a variety of ways including newspaper adverts and on the partner’s websites. In the former Vale Royal area, Weaver Vale Housing trust are advertising all our vacant properties in the Northwich and Winsford and Middlewich Guardians. These are published every Wednesday. We also advertise our vacancies in the local offices at The Information Centre, Northwich, Wyvern House Winsford and Castle Park Frodsham. Vacancies across the partnership area are also advertised on the Trust Homechoice web site at www.trusthomechoice.org.uk

• Applicants can make a bid on line at www.trusthomechoice.org.uk, by calling the Weaver Vale bidding line on 0800 232 1837 or by calling into the local offices at Wyvern House Winsford or The Information Centre Northwich.

• Information about the number of bids for each property and the priority and waiting time of the successful bidder are published so that you can see the demand for certain areas and property types. (no personal detail about applicants will be published).

• Assistance and support is available to ensure that people without easy access to the internet or telephone are able to access the scheme. 

Our Joint Housing Allocations Policy

In order to introduce Choice Based Lettings we have reviewed the existing Housing Allocations Policies to develop a common policy for all partners.

One of the main changes is that instead of a points system which is currently used by some of the partners, we have placed people on the Housing Register in one of five ‘bands’ according to their housing need. The people in a band will then be prioritised further according to the date they were placed in that band.

We completed a rigorous consultation exercise across the partnership area. The views of existing customers, tenants and stakeholders were gathered and helped to shape the new common allocation policy. A copy of the new allocation policy is available below.

Further details on the new Choice Based Lettings scheme are available from any of the partnership offices listed below. Alternatively you may like to view the new Trust Homechoice web site at www.trusthomechoice.org.uk for further information. 

Housing Solutions     Cheshire West and Chester Council    The Forum Chester CH1 2HS Tel 01244 402586	Housing Solutions Cheshire West and Chester Council Information Centre 1 The Arcade   Northwich CW9 5AS Tel 01606 353520	Housing Solutions Cheshire West and Chester Council 4 Civic Way Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE Tel 0300 1239035
Housing Management  Cheshire West and Chester Council 4 Civic Way Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE Tel 0151 3566525	Chester & District Housing Trust Centurion House 77 Northgate Street Chester CH1 2HQ Tel 0808 1007701 www.cdht.net	Weaver Vale Housing Trust Gadbrook Point Rudheath Way Gadbrook Park Northwich Tel 01606 813300

 

Common Housing Allocation Policy (DOC, 524 KB)