NORTHUMBERLAND HOMEFINDER – HAVE YOUR SAY
The way homes are to be let across Northumberland is changing and it’s your chance to have your say on the plans, to be known as Northumberland Homefinder.
The six local Councils in Northumberland and their Housing Association partners have been working together to develop the Northumberland Homefinder Scheme for the whole of Northumberland. This will be implemented by the new Council for Northumberland, which comes into effect on 1st April 2009. A system of Homefinder has been running successfully in Blyth Valley since 2005 and this has been used as the basis of the new Scheme for the county.
When Homefinder is in operation, properties that are available for rent will be advertised each week and people will be able to express interest in a property by a process known as bidding. All this means is that you are actively interested and wish to be considered for the property or properties you are applying for. It puts the initiative on customers to bid for properties that are advertised, with the successful bidder being the customer with the highest band and greatest level of housing need.
In order for the Scheme to operate there needs to be an Allocation Policy, which tells you how empty homes will be let. A Draft Common Allocation Policy (see attached) has been produced, together with a Summary of the Policy (2) (see attached). These are now to be the subject of public consultation.
Your views are very important to us so please take time to read these and spend 10 minutes to complete the feedback form (3) (see attached) to tell us what you think, either by e-mail or to the address shown on the front of the questionnaire. Feedback can also be given 'on line' using the following link to the Blyth Valley Housing website - http://www.blythvalleyhousing.com/forms/homefindersurvey.asp. You have until 30 November 2008 to give us your views.
If you have any questions please look at the Frequently Asked Questions (2) in the Summary.
If you have any further questions or queries you can contact Martin Laidler, Neighbourhood Services Manager. E-mail: martin.laidler@castlemorpeth.gov.uk or via FirstCall on (01670) 535000.