Open Day showcases new housing scheme
Residents in Ellesmere Port and Neston have been able to find out more about a new way of applying for homes to rent across the Cheshire West area.
An open day event at the Civic Hall in Ellesmere Port gave potential homeseekers, and people already on the council’s waiting list, the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the new scheme.
Trust HomeChoice is a new ‘choice-based lettings’ (CBL) scheme and a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester and District Housing Trust and Weaver Vale Housing Trust.
Under the new scheme properties will be advertised in the local press, on the TrustHomeChoice website and in local council offices in Ellesmere Port, Westminster Neighbourhood Office and Neston Town Hall. If you are registered with the scheme and are interested in a particular property that is advertised, you can ‘express your interest’ (apply) for it. The property is then offered to the interested applicant in the highest housing need band and the longest time they have spent in that particular band.
This replaces the previous points based system and gives greater transparency and openness in the way properties are allocated.
The first properties will be advertised in this way from Thursday, 15 April in the Ellesmere Port Standard, on the Trust HomeChoice website and in all local council offices.
Anyone who was previously on the Council’s waiting list for a property needs to re-register to join the new scheme. This can be done on-line by visiting: www.trusthomechoice.co.uk or by completing a registration form available from council offices.
Portfolio Holder for Area and Community, Councillor Lynn Riley said: “The open day was a big success and many people were able to benefit from one-to-one advice on how the scheme can work for them. It’s important to stress that everyone needs to re-register for this scheme. Otherwise they will not be able to bid for available properties from 15 April.”
The Council’s CBL Project Officer, Amy George added: “On the day the general response from customers is that they are looking forward to the implementation of the new system and actively becoming involved in looking for their new home. A few concerns were raised regarding how to use the system, however once we showcased the website everyone was surprised at how easy to use it will be.”
For more information visit: www.trusthomechoice.co.uk visit your local housing office or contact the Rehousing and Supported Services unit on 0151 356 6524 or 356 6525.
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Photo: Cheshire West and Chester Council’s, CBL Project Officer, Amy George gives advice on the new Trust Home Choice scheme at the recent Open Day in Ellesmere Port Civic Hall
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