1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 Serviceswww.salfordhomesearch.co.uk Once registered can bid after 24 hrs

7. 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

8. 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 Officeswww.salfordhomesearch.co.uk - CBL Liaison Officer for Vulnerable Client - Pinpoint – Sub Regional CBL Salford joint lead with Bolton

9. 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

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

11. Bidding Bid cycles run from 10am 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

12. 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

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

22. 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

23. CBL Facts and Figures 17 Months Pre CBL Mar 05 – July 07 17 Months Post CBL Aug 07 – Jan 09 Homeless Applicants Rehoused 2,253484 Number of Trade Downs N/A102 Number of bids N/A219,229 Voids available 4,4553,675

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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

29. Question and Answer Session