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Residents across Babergh and surrounding areas could have greater choice over their housing needs within the next two years, thanks to a successful bid for Government funding.
Choice-based lettings (CBL) is a Government initiative which promises to offer new and existing social housing tenants greater mobility, choice, and flexibility over their home.
Babergh and its partners in the Greater Haven Gateway CBL Scheme have now secured £132,000 towards implementing the initiative, which it hopes will be in place by 2008.
The system works by bringing together local authorities and housing associations in schemes that cross local authority boundaries.
Babergh is working with the borough and district councils of Ipswich, Colchester, Mid Suffolk, Suffolk Coastal, Tendring, Maldon and Braintree, on the Scheme. The group was one of just 12 ‘sub regions’ that were successful in their bidding for a share of the £1.3 million on offer.
Greater Haven Gateway’s success means tenants will have more choice in where they live and will be able to search for the properties online. The current high demand for properties in specific areas should ease, and it is also anticipated that considerable savings will be made as the councils work in unison.
Sue Wigglesworth, chairman of the Babergh steering group that made the bid, said: “This is an excellent example of local authorities working in partnership towards a common goal. Tenants will have access to a wider range of properties in a much larger geographical area - and the website will give them details about the homes so they can decide which to apply for.
“It will be a long and detailed process to get the scheme operational, but still very worthwhile - ultimately it is tenants across the area who will benefit.”
David Clarke, Housing Support Manager at Babergh District Council, led the bid – and is happy to have secured the funding to take initiative forward.
He said: “This is about simplifying the housing process, and makes us part of a pioneering scheme. It creates a more stable, cohesive community. We will be able to advise housing tenants that we have an empty property, and those who are interested will then be able to bid for it. They will be making their choice on a real and detailed knowledge about the property.
“This will then streamline the housing process, meaning tenants only apply for properties they are interested in – therefore freeing up potential homes for others.” More information on Choice Based Lettings.
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