Tenants to get more choice over housing

A Shropshire housing association is putting its tenants in the driving seat and giving people more choice in where they live in the county with a system called Shropshire HomePoint.

Severnside Housing is now promoting the choice-based lettings system, which lets tenants choose the homes they want to live in.

The housing association has begun a three-month consultation period with tenants to explain the new system.

A special drop-in session will also be held at the Barnabus Centre, Longden Coleham, in Shrewsbury, on December 7, between 1pm and 5pm.

Marie MacMichael, neighbourhood manager at Severnside, said: "HomePoint aims to make the process of allocating homes much more open, transparent and customer-focused, and is already successfully being used by other housing providers in the area.

"Severnside has written to everyone on our housing waiting list to inform them of this consultation and has sent out questionnaires.

"We would encourage anyone who wants to know more to come along to the Barnabus Centre."

Currently, housing is allocated in a needs-based system. Tenants show an interest in moving, or are put on the waiting list and are then contacted once a home becomes available.

Ms MacMichael said the new system, which is already being used by Shropshire Council tenants, South Shropshire Housing Association, and Meres and Mosses Housing Association, is designed to offer more choice.