28.01.08
HomeChoice Bristol transforms application process for council tenancies
The Launch of HomeChoice Bristol will see a major transformation in the way people seeking a social housing tenancy in Bristol can apply for a property.
From January 29 when the scheme goes live, all empty properties owned by Bristol City Council and housing associations in the city will be advertised on a weekly basis through a website; in a local newspaper and a newsletter which will be available through council Customer Service Points.
Applicants will be able to choose vacant properties for which they are eligible based on the priority they have and 'bid' for the ones they wish to be considered for. Applicants will be able to make a bid in a variety of ways:
.By using the website www.homechoicebristol.co.uk and logging in using a unique reference number
.By using the automated phone line
.Texting a bid to us
.Visiting one of the Customer Service Points
Under the previous system, the housing register for the 29,000 council homes and a further 11,000 homes managed by housing association partners was split into a waiting list for new applications and transfers, with points awarded according to need, and a separate priority list including for homeless families, victims of domestic violence and those with urgent medical needs.
In March 2007, all applications were placed into one of five bands, depending on the urgency of their need to move with one being the highest priority.
Under the new system, when a property becomes available, it will be let to the person in the highest band looking for that type and size of property who has been waiting the longest. Letters have already been sent to all applicants advising them of their login details and which of the five bands they are in.
Councillor Judith Price, Executive Members for Neighbourhoods, said: "I am sure that the launch of HomeChoice Bristol will be welcomed by the many thousands of people who apply for a tenancy either with the city council or one of our housing association partners. It will make the whole process much more transparent and enable people to understand just what is available to them.
"With a variety of choices in the way people can find out what property is available and how they can make a bid, we've made the system much more accessible and convenient."
Further information is available at the council's Customer Service Points, at the website, or by telephoning 0117 353 3043.
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