Homeseekers urged to register on new affordable housing scheme

All housing applicants are to be asked to register with the new scheme to preserve their chances of getting a new home.

'North Yorkshire Homechoice' - the North Yorkshire Choice Based Lettings scheme - is currently being developed by local authorities and housing associations across the county.

Due to go live in June, the new approach is based on the public advertising of available properties - from both Councils and Housing Associations. It is designed to promote choice, mobility and better information about housing options for local people seeking accommodation.

But project manager, Ian Taylor is urging applicants to make sure they register with NY Homechoice in good time to avoid losing out.

"This is a massive project, which will really help homeseekers across North Yorkshire," he said.

"We'll shortly be contacting everyone currently registered on a Council or Housing Association 'waiting list' to ask them to register with the scheme, if they continue to seek housing in the area.

"But there are timescales involved, and because the length of time you have been waiting for a new home matters under the new scheme, it is really important that people register in time."

Housing chiefs are to contact every housing applicant to explain the new scheme and ask people if they would like to register with it. There are two ways to register - either by requesting and returning an application pack, or by registering on line at www.northyorkshirehomechoice.org.uk Applicants will have 28 days to register with the new scheme - and reminders will be sent.

Everyone who re registers within the timescale will have their original date of application carried forward to the new system, but people who do not wish to be considered for housing need not take any action. Help and advice for re-registering will be available from Council housing departments and landlords. Local advice and support agencies have also been briefed about this work.

Housing staff are standing by to carry out the huge task of processing new applications.

"There is help available for anyone who needs it," added Ian. "The most important thing is to get your application returned in good time, because those that do will keep their application date from when they originally applied, and that could mean extra priority under the scheme."

NOTES TO EDITORS

North Yorkshire Homechoice is a partnership between City of York Council, Craven, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby Councils, Broadacres, Yorkshire Coast Homes and Yorkshire Housing.

The North Yorkshire Common Allocations Policy was adopted by partners in 2010 following large scale public consultation in Autumn 2009. Choice Based Lettings is a means of allocating affordable housing based on the public advertising of available properties, and a system of bidding prioritised by criteria based on applicants' housing need, circumstances and length of wait. It aims to promote customer choice, aid mobility and increase awareness of housing options. The project benefits from financial support from Communities and Local Government.