CHOICE BASED LETTING (CBL)
Choice Based Letting is a modern approach to allocating council houses, prioritizing applicant choice. This presentation discusses the shift from traditional methods, highlighting reasons for refusals and the benefits of CBL. It aims to reduce refusal rates, improve allocation effectiveness, offer more options to applicants, and involve them in the process. The process for implementing CBL is detailed, emphasizing the importance of applicant participation and government policy support.
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Presentation Transcript
PRESENTATION TO OCTOBER PLENARY MEETING 16 OCTOBER, 2023 CHOICE BASED LETTING (CBL)
INTRODUCTION What is Choice Based Letting: different approach to the allocation of council houses that is designed to place choice at the heart of the letting scheme It will form part of the Councils Scheme of Letting Priorities
Background Traditional method of allocating council properties was by means of prioritising applicants in accordance with Scheme of Letting Priorities and offering accommodation accordingly, typically a council owned property Applicants allowed choose three areas of choice Applicants allowed two refusals and then removed from housing list for a period of one year
Housing Stock Number of council houses 2,700 Vacancy Rate of Housing Stock: 2.8% Number of properties vacant at any one time 60 approx. Number on our housing list 1,660
REFUSALS Refusals of offers of accommodation has an impact on our voids figures The refusal rate has varied between 17% and 25% over the past 4 years In simple terms that means one in every 5 houses offered is refused
Most common Reasons for Refusals Property offered deemed not suitable by housing applicant Prefer to remain in HAP/RAS accommodation Area not suitable Distance from family members Garden Anti social issues etc Lack of transport Issues with potential neighbours
Choice Based letting Why? (1) to reduce the refusal rate (2) to provide a more effective allocation process for hard to lets (3) to give a wider choice for applicants (4) to enable applicants to become part of process Government Policy Successful in other local authorities
Process Required for Choice Based Letting Approved housing applicants will be written to in order to inform them of the CBL process Applicants will subsequently receive a letter requesting that they register with the CBL website and will be given their unique username and password. The applicants can then log in and have the option to reset their password. Applicants should ensure the information in relation to their application is correct and if it is not they should contact the Allocations Team at housingallocations@kilkennycoco.ie to update their details. The CBL application is linked to iHouse so when a new applicant is approved for social housing, a new username ID and password is generated. This is sent to the applicant with their letter of approval for social housing support.
Process Required for Choice Based Letting Properties will be advertised once a week and remain on the website for 7 days. An approved applicant who has registered with the system will receive a notification of the new properties that are being advertised. Generally properties will be advertised in advance in order to facilitate pre-selection of candidates for the vacant properties. CBL system will show details of the property, such as property type, number of bedrooms, heating system, photos where appropriate or floor plans, if available.
Process Required for Choice Based Letting Approved applicants can bid on any CBL property that is advertised, not just properties in their areas of choice. Approved applicants will only be notified of a CBL property appropriate to their assessed housing need. After the week long bidding period has passed, the property is removed from active properties on the CBL website. Approved applicants cannot change an area of preference during the week of advertisement A report of those that have expressed an interest in the property is printed from the system by admin staff and sent to the allocations teams. Allocations team will then allocate in accordance with the scheme of letting priorities
Procedure for Choice Based Letting Once an allocation is made, admin staff will update the CBL website to reflect that an allocation has taken place. (offer facilitated) Unsuccessful bidders are not contacted to say that their bid has been unsuccessful. If a client refuses a property, which they have bid on, their account on the CBL website is suspended for a period of twelve months. This property will then be offered to next person on the bid list and if there is no one else on that list then the property will be re-advertised. Elected members will also receive a unique user name and password from the Allocations Team and will have access rights to view advertised & allocated properties only.
POINTS TO NOTE Applicants can only view and express interest in properties with the number of beds that they have been approved for. A successful applicant who refuses a Choice Based Letting offer will not be eligible for consideration for another Choice Based Letting Unit for a period of one year Under the Choice Based Letting Scheme only the successful candidates will be notified. Applicants may express an interest in properties outside of their specified areas of preference. However, please note that where there are a large number of expressions of interest in a property priority will be given to those applicants who specified a preference for accommodation in that particular area on their housing application form If you do not have access to the internet, you can go to your local library branch or to the Housing Office in Johns Green where you can access a public PC. If applicants do not engage with CBL i.e. do not log in every week to see the properties advertised, then they cannot be considered for these properties. If applicants fail to use the CBL system they cannot be considered for properties advertised on CBL and this will reduce their opportunity to avail of social housing supports.
Advantages of CBL Fair and transparent system for clients Choice at the centre of the system Reduction in refusal rate Reduction in the time that available properties are left vacant Reduction in vandalism to vacant properties Allocation of difficult to let properties Less administration
Recommendation It is recommended that not all properties becoming available for letting will be offered through CBL. In particular, dwellings designated for the accommodation of older persons, for physically disabled persons and other dwellings that may be required due to exceptional or necessary circumstances will not be allocated through CBL. CBL will form part of the Scheme of Letting Priorities
