Devon Home Choice - a successful start
Thursday 04 March
The move at the end of January, from East Devon Choice Based Lettings Scheme to Devon Home Choice, has resulted in more than 1,350 registrations, with the vast majority of people applying online.
East Devon District Council’s Housing Needs team wrote to everyone who was registered on the ‘old’ system asking them to re-register in order to be considered for housing in future. Letters went to all applicants in April and again in October last year, and a further letter was sent in December to all Gold Band applicants.
Vulnerable and elderly applicants, who were unable to apply online, were helped by Housing Needs staff as well as Social Services, Town and Parish Clerks and Libraries to complete their applications.
Dennis Boobier, EDDC’s Housing Needs Manager, said: “A big thank you must go to everyone who has helped people to re-register on Devon Home Choice and for the successful start to the new allocation scheme here in East Devon. Everything went more smoothly than we could have imagined. There were a few issues, but overall we are pleased with how well the re-registration process went before we went live at the end of January”.
A letter has been sent to everyone who has registered under the new scheme giving them their banding, start date and reasons for their banding. As a result, some applicants have asked for their banding to be reviewed and, where new important information has been provided, their banding has been changed. Overall, however, the original bandings have been confirmed as correct.
Under the new system, applicants can manage their own application online at www.devonhomechoice.com, and note any changes to their circumstances, such as an additional child, changing their address or telling us about health issues caused by their existing housing.
Dennis Boobier continued: “We would remind people that when they register for housing with Devon Home Choice they should have their National Insurance Number available, and should put any dates, such as birthdays, in the format requested.
“If anyone needs help and cannot do this online, they can visit the Council’s offices in Sidmouth or call the Housing Needs Team on 01395 517 469”.
For further press information please contact:
Nick Stephen, Communications Officer, on 01395 517 559
East Devon District Council, Knowle, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8HL
