Fig 1 interview from both councils

Respondent A: female

Job Title: Allocation officer Lambeth council

Place of Interview: Lambeth Allocation office

Date: February 23rd 2011

How do you allocate properties and is there is there any specific way in which properties are allocated?

Properties are allocated according to the Council’ allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised and how this works in combination with the bidding process. More, so we use a combination of banding and points, though I do not believe Merton is unique in this respect

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and does it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

Absolutely yes, this is a very important principle to follow although CBL is operated differently in council but we still end up given customers greater choice. When developing the current Housing Allocation Scheme in 2006/7, we consulted with Council tenants and leaseholders, housing associations and other interested stakeholders, and the scheme was approved by Council’s Cabinet. More recently, we consulted with a wide range of individuals and organisations in developing the current Housing Strategy 2009-2013.

3) Do you get funding from the government?

Yes we get funding from the government.

4) Is choice based lettings scheme really working for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

Absolutely yes, because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can view and choose what is available. Although there can be frustration when customers have been bidding for a long time and not receiving an offer.

5) Has there been any viable option apart from choice based lettings schemes?

At the moment we concentrate more on the choice based lettings scheme, but we still do the direct allocation in some serious cases.

6) How can you achieve your choice based letting targets?

We can achieve our target by marketing available properties; providing a transparent housing allocations system that is easily understood and accessible to all which covers all tenure and provides true choice. The scheme will allocate properties irrespective of tenure, in low and no demand areas, targeting new client groups as well as potential new customers. Also by explore the concept of a common suspension policy and common allocations policy ensuring social inclusion and equality.

7) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based lettings scheme?

It was introduced to give customers a chance to have choice over the type and where they want to live.

8) Are the customers pleased with the scheme?

9) Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

I would say No there is no enough properties for everyone on the register list. We have about 20,565 household still waiting to be called to bid.

10) How many people have been helped through the scheme?

We have had about 22,120 household on the allocation registered list and we have helped 1645, household since the scheme started in 2008.

11)How many disabled people has been rehoused since choice based lettings started?

We currently provide support on a case

by case basis. We have recently recruited a Bidding Support Officer, who will be

able to provide more consistent support for elderly and vulnerable applicants.

We are also arranging training for social workers in Adult & Community Services

to explain how CBL works, and what they can do to support clients.

12) What help is there for them?

please can Explain how your housing allocation policy is fair, and how it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations

13) How do you measure your success? Am just interested.

Success is measured by short void properties turn around. We have also just begun to measure customer’s satisfaction.

14) What is your view about choice based lettings in General?

CBL as lead to sustainable related serving and efficiently savings through improved ICT, reduced refusal rate, quicker relets.

Respondent B: Female

Job Title: Housing Option and development officer in Lambeth council

Place of Interview: Housing Department Office

Date: 23rd of Feb 2011

1) ? How do you allocate properties and is there is there any specific way in which properties are allocatedl?

Properties are allocated in accordance with the Council’s published allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised and how this works in conjunction with the bidding process

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and how does it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

I would say yes. There are obviously different models of CBL in terms of bidding period bands vs points, some of which have been challenged in the courts since the original guidance was issued. Moreover, Councils already had a degree of freedom to allocate some homes according to local priorities, and to take account of factors other than housing need, such as waiting time, and therefore our current housing allocation policy already takes account of this. In addition to prioritising based on housing need and waiting time, we also allocate homes according to needs specific to our local area. These include:

-Under-occupying tenants who wish to move to a smaller home

– Young people leaving care

– Those who require housing to prevent admission to, or allow discharge from, elderly persons’ home or residential care

-Those leaving short-stay supported housing schemes

– Those who need to move on welfare grounds, as recommended by Lambeth’s adult or children’s social care services.

3)Is there any specific way in which you allocate properties which differs from other borough?

We use a combination of banding and points.

4) do you get funding for running the scheme?

Yes we got some funding from the government

5) is choice based lettings scheme really worked for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

I would say yes because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can see what is available and this gives them a far more realistic expectatation and generally I would say that yes, although there can be frustration when customers have been bidding for a long time and not receiving an offer.

6) Has there been any viable option apart from choice based lettings schemes?

We still do direct allocations in some cases where an applicant requires a certain type of property e.g medical problems or sensitive lets

7) How can you achieve your choice based letting targets?

CBL has caused some difficulties in relation to void property turn around but we have otherwise met our targets

8) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based lettings scheme?

It was introduced to provide choice and a more transparent system: people bidding could now see all the properties available, see for themselves that the system is fair and who was being housed.

9) Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

We don’t have enough properties for all applicants. the amount of applicant on the waiting list is approximately 22, 000 applicant and 1974 household was rehoused in 2010

10) How many lone parents have been rehoused since the introduction of choice based lettings. (CBL)

I am unable to be specific, the average of 30% of each household rehoused are lone parents.

11) How many couples have been rehoused since the start of choice based lettings?

About 20%.

12) How many elderly or vulnerable individual have you rehoused people since the start of choice based lettings and do you help then to access the system?

We recognise that some elderly or vulnerable individuals may not be able to use

CBL. As a result, we have recruited a Bidding Support Officer to assist elderly

and vulnerable people to bid for properties. We are also arranging training on

CBL for social workers from Adult & Community Services so that they can better

assist their clients. 8% of properties let were sheltered accommodation. Those over 60 years old account for 5% of all housing applicants. Those over 60 year old are less likely to bid for properties than those under 60. Of the 1172 housing applicants over 60 years old, 496 bid for a property, a participation rate of 42%, compared the overall participation rate of 52%. A small number of people requiring sheltered may therefore be excluded by the CBL process

13) How do they measure their success? Am just interested.

Success is measured by short void properties turn arounds. We have also just begun to measure customer satisfaction.

14) What is your view about choice based lettings in General?

Choice Based lettings has given customers choice over where they live, which

they did not have under the old system. This has resulted in decreased reviews

and appeals from people unhappy with the housing offer they had been made.

Respondent A: Female

Job Title: Allocation officer in Merton Council

Place of Interview: Merton Housing in Need Civic Centre

Date: 3rd of Dec 2010

1)How do you allocate properties?

Properties ore allocated in according to the Council’s published allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised between housing applicants.

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and how does it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

Our policy is fair because it prioritises those with the greatest housing need, whilst also taking account of other factors, such as time spent on the housing list. We believe that within the context of an extreme shortage of housing relative to need, our housing allocation policy

provides a fair means of allocating the very limited amount of social housing available.

Yes we are able to follow the principles set by the ODPM and we do not envisage that any immediate changes will be required to our current Housing Allocation Scheme in order to comply with the new Guidance. We already give local people additional priority for housing, and give priority based on the amount of time someone has been on the waiting list.

3) Is there any specific way in which they allocate their properties which differs from other borough?

We use a combination of banding and points to nominate and offer properties. Which is a little different from other Choice based lettings schemes in other borough.

4) Has choice based lettings scheme really worked for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

I would say yes because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can see what is available and this gives them far more realistic expectations. Also it has reduced the number of reviews against refusals of offers

5) How can they achieve their choice based letting targets?

CBL has casued some difficulties in relation to void property turn around but we have otherwise met our targets

6) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based lettings scheme?

The aims were to have a more transparent allocation system with more choice for those seeking housing.

7) Are the customers pleased with the scheme?

Generally I would say that yes, although there can be frustration when customers have been bidding for a long time and not receiving an offer

8) Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

. There are 7000 applicants on our waiting list and we let out 450 properties each year

9) How many people have been helped through the scheme?

About roughly 1800 household has been rehoused since the start of the scheme in 2006 because we let 450 properties out every year.

How many lone- parents has been rehoused?

Approximately 45% of the household rehousedHow many couple has been rehoused

Roughly 25% of the household rehoused.

How many elderly and Vulnerable people have you rehoused and how do they access the system?

20% of the household rehoused are elderly and vulnerable people.

13)How do you measure your success? Am just interested.

Success is measured by short void properties turn around. We have also just begun to measure customer satisfaction

14) What is your view about choice based lettings in General? There is now choice about which area people live in, compared to the previous system where properties were simply allocated. The system is less adversarial; people seeking housing do not have to convince staff of their case to live in a particular area and can now just bid in their preferred areas.

·

Hello Mr Elliot,

My name is Mojisola Odemo. I am a student of London Southbank University, I am writing my dissertation on choice based lettings schemes, and Merton borough happens to be one of the borough have chosen to write my dissertation on. However, as per what we discussed over the phone, these are questions I will like to explore. I will be very glad if you can use your spear time to help me with the questions because they are very important for my dissertation. I will be very grateful if this is done.

Thank you for your assistant

Mojisola Odemo

1)How do Merton council allocate properties?

Properties are allocated in accordance with the Council’s published allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised and how this works in conjunction with the bidding process

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and how has it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

The new statutory guidance, published on 4^th December 2009, reaffirms that councils should continue to give priority to those in greatest housing need, but strengthens councils’ freedoms to greater weighting to other factors alongside housing need, such as time spent on the waiting list, those with a strong local connection with an area, and those seeking work. The guidance stresses that councils have freedom to determine their own allocations policies, and may choose whether to prioritise other factors according to local circumstances.

3) Is there any specific way in which they allocate their properties which differs from other borough?

We use a combination of banding and points, though I do not believe Merton is unique in this respect.

4) Has choice based lettings scheme really worked for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

I would say yes because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can see what is available and this gives them a far more realistic expectation. We have not had any serious complain since the start of the scheme.

5) Has there been any viable option apart from choice based lettings schemes?

We do still do direct allocations in some cases where an applicant requires a certain type of property e.g medical problems or sensitive lets

6) How can you achieve your choice based letting targets?

CBL has casued some difficulties in relation to void property turn around but we have otherwise met our targets.

7) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based letting scheme?

It was introduced to give customers greater say over the type and area of property they are allocated. It is a much more customer focus system.

9)Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

No. There are currently some 7000 applicants waiting for approximately 450 properties each year

10) How many people have been rehoused through the scheme?

I am unable to be specific, but as noted above there are roughly 450 properties let each year and the scheme has been in place since 2006. I will say roughly 1800 household has been rehoused.

•How many lone- parents has been rehoused?

Approximately 45% of the household rehoused are lone parents

•How many couple has been rehoused

Roughly 25% of the household rehoused are couples.

•How many elderly and Vulnerable people have you rehoused and how do they access the system?

20% of the household rehoused are elderly and vulnerable people.

14) How do you measure success? Am just interested?

Success is measured by short void properties turn arounds. We have also just begun to measure customer satisfaction

13) What is their view about choice based lettings in General?

Overall we are happy with CBL and feel it has a positive effect for both the Council and our customers. It has reduce refusal rates and turnaround times.

Fig 1 interview from both councils

Respondent A: female

Job Title: Allocation officer Lambeth council

Place of Interview: Lambeth Allocation office

Date: February 23rd 2011

How do you allocate properties and is there is there any specific way in which properties are allocated?

Properties are allocated according to the Council’ allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised and how this works in combination with the bidding process. More, so we use a combination of banding and points, though I do not believe Merton is unique in this respect

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and does it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

Absolutely yes, this is a very important principle to follow although CBL is operated differently in council but we still end up given customers greater choice. When developing the current Housing Allocation Scheme in 2006/7, we consulted with Council tenants and leaseholders, housing associations and other interested stakeholders, and the scheme was approved by Council’s Cabinet. More recently, we consulted with a wide range of individuals and organisations in developing the current Housing Strategy 2009-2013.

3) Do you get funding from the government?

Yes we get funding from the government.

4) Is choice based lettings scheme really working for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

Absolutely yes, because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can view and choose what is available. Although there can be frustration when customers have been bidding for a long time and not receiving an offer.

5) Has there been any viable option apart from choice based lettings schemes?

At the moment we concentrate more on the choice based lettings scheme, but we still do the direct allocation in some serious cases.

6) How can you achieve your choice based letting targets?

We can achieve our target by marketing available properties; providing a transparent housing allocations system that is easily understood and accessible to all which covers all tenure and provides true choice. The scheme will allocate properties irrespective of tenure, in low and no demand areas, targeting new client groups as well as potential new customers. Also by explore the concept of a common suspension policy and common allocations policy ensuring social inclusion and equality.

7) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based lettings scheme?

It was introduced to give customers a chance to have choice over the type and where they want to live.

8) Are the customers pleased with the scheme?

9) Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

I would say No there is no enough properties for everyone on the register list. We have about 20,565 household still waiting to be called to bid.

10) How many people have been helped through the scheme?

We have had about 22,120 household on the allocation registered list and we have helped 1645, household since the scheme started in 2008.

11)How many disabled people has been rehoused since choice based lettings started?

We currently provide support on a case

by case basis. We have recently recruited a Bidding Support Officer, who will be

able to provide more consistent support for elderly and vulnerable applicants.

We are also arranging training for social workers in Adult & Community Services

to explain how CBL works, and what they can do to support clients.

12) What help is there for them?

please can Explain how your housing allocation policy is fair, and how it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations

13) How do you measure your success? Am just interested.

Success is measured by short void properties turn around. We have also just begun to measure customer’s satisfaction.

14) What is your view about choice based lettings in General?

CBL as lead to sustainable related serving and efficiently savings through improved ICT, reduced refusal rate, quicker relets.

Respondent B: Female

Job Title: Housing Option and development officer in Lambeth council

Place of Interview: Housing Department Office

Date: 23rd of Feb 2011

1) ? How do you allocate properties and is there is there any specific way in which properties are allocatedl?

Properties are allocated in accordance with the Council’s published allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised and how this works in conjunction with the bidding process

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and how does it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

I would say yes. There are obviously different models of CBL in terms of bidding period bands vs points, some of which have been challenged in the courts since the original guidance was issued. Moreover, Councils already had a degree of freedom to allocate some homes according to local priorities, and to take account of factors other than housing need, such as waiting time, and therefore our current housing allocation policy already takes account of this. In addition to prioritising based on housing need and waiting time, we also allocate homes according to needs specific to our local area. These include:

-Under-occupying tenants who wish to move to a smaller home

– Young people leaving care

– Those who require housing to prevent admission to, or allow discharge from, elderly persons’ home or residential care

-Those leaving short-stay supported housing schemes

– Those who need to move on welfare grounds, as recommended by Lambeth’s adult or children’s social care services.

3)Is there any specific way in which you allocate properties which differs from other borough?

We use a combination of banding and points.

4) do you get funding for running the scheme?

Yes we got some funding from the government

5) is choice based lettings scheme really worked for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

I would say yes because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can see what is available and this gives them a far more realistic expectatation and generally I would say that yes, although there can be frustration when customers have been bidding for a long time and not receiving an offer.

6) Has there been any viable option apart from choice based lettings schemes?

We still do direct allocations in some cases where an applicant requires a certain type of property e.g medical problems or sensitive lets

7) How can you achieve your choice based letting targets?

CBL has caused some difficulties in relation to void property turn around but we have otherwise met our targets

8) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based lettings scheme?

It was introduced to provide choice and a more transparent system: people bidding could now see all the properties available, see for themselves that the system is fair and who was being housed.

9) Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

We don’t have enough properties for all applicants. the amount of applicant on the waiting list is approximately 22, 000 applicant and 1974 household was rehoused in 2010

10) How many lone parents have been rehoused since the introduction of choice based lettings. (CBL)

I am unable to be specific, the average of 30% of each household rehoused are lone parents.

11) How many couples have been rehoused since the start of choice based lettings?

About 20%.

12) How many elderly or vulnerable individual have you rehoused people since the start of choice based lettings and do you help then to access the system?

We recognise that some elderly or vulnerable individuals may not be able to use

CBL. As a result, we have recruited a Bidding Support Officer to assist elderly

and vulnerable people to bid for properties. We are also arranging training on

CBL for social workers from Adult & Community Services so that they can better

assist their clients. 8% of properties let were sheltered accommodation. Those over 60 years old account for 5% of all housing applicants. Those over 60 year old are less likely to bid for properties than those under 60. Of the 1172 housing applicants over 60 years old, 496 bid for a property, a participation rate of 42%, compared the overall participation rate of 52%. A small number of people requiring sheltered may therefore be excluded by the CBL process

13) How do they measure their success? Am just interested.

Success is measured by short void properties turn arounds. We have also just begun to measure customer satisfaction.

14) What is your view about choice based lettings in General?

Choice Based lettings has given customers choice over where they live, which

they did not have under the old system. This has resulted in decreased reviews

and appeals from people unhappy with the housing offer they had been made.

Respondent A: Female

Job Title: Allocation officer in Merton Council

Place of Interview: Merton Housing in Need Civic Centre

Date: 3rd of Dec 2010

1)How do you allocate properties?

Properties ore allocated in according to the Council’s published allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised between housing applicants.

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and how does it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

Our policy is fair because it prioritises those with the greatest housing need, whilst also taking account of other factors, such as time spent on the housing list. We believe that within the context of an extreme shortage of housing relative to need, our housing allocation policy

provides a fair means of allocating the very limited amount of social housing available.

Yes we are able to follow the principles set by the ODPM and we do not envisage that any immediate changes will be required to our current Housing Allocation Scheme in order to comply with the new Guidance. We already give local people additional priority for housing, and give priority based on the amount of time someone has been on the waiting list.

3) Is there any specific way in which they allocate their properties which differs from other borough?

We use a combination of banding and points to nominate and offer properties. Which is a little different from other Choice based lettings schemes in other borough.

4) Has choice based lettings scheme really worked for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

I would say yes because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can see what is available and this gives them far more realistic expectations. Also it has reduced the number of reviews against refusals of offers

5) How can they achieve their choice based letting targets?

CBL has casued some difficulties in relation to void property turn around but we have otherwise met our targets

6) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based lettings scheme?

The aims were to have a more transparent allocation system with more choice for those seeking housing.

7) Are the customers pleased with the scheme?

Generally I would say that yes, although there can be frustration when customers have been bidding for a long time and not receiving an offer

8) Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

. There are 7000 applicants on our waiting list and we let out 450 properties each year

9) How many people have been helped through the scheme?

About roughly 1800 household has been rehoused since the start of the scheme in 2006 because we let 450 properties out every year.

How many lone- parents has been rehoused?

Approximately 45% of the household rehousedHow many couple has been rehoused

Roughly 25% of the household rehoused.

How many elderly and Vulnerable people have you rehoused and how do they access the system?

20% of the household rehoused are elderly and vulnerable people.

13)How do you measure your success? Am just interested.

Success is measured by short void properties turn around. We have also just begun to measure customer satisfaction

14) What is your view about choice based lettings in General? There is now choice about which area people live in, compared to the previous system where properties were simply allocated. The system is less adversarial; people seeking housing do not have to convince staff of their case to live in a particular area and can now just bid in their preferred areas.

·

Hello Mr Elliot,

My name is Mojisola Odemo. I am a student of London Southbank University, I am writing my dissertation on choice based lettings schemes, and Merton borough happens to be one of the borough have chosen to write my dissertation on. However, as per what we discussed over the phone, these are questions I will like to explore. I will be very glad if you can use your spear time to help me with the questions because they are very important for my dissertation. I will be very grateful if this is done.

Thank you for your assistant

Mojisola Odemo

1)How do Merton council allocate properties?

Properties are allocated in accordance with the Council’s published allocation policy which sets out how cases are prioritised and how this works in conjunction with the bidding process

2) Is your housing allocation policy fair, and how has it complies with the new statutory guidance on social housing allocations?

The new statutory guidance, published on 4^th December 2009, reaffirms that councils should continue to give priority to those in greatest housing need, but strengthens councils’ freedoms to greater weighting to other factors alongside housing need, such as time spent on the waiting list, those with a strong local connection with an area, and those seeking work. The guidance stresses that councils have freedom to determine their own allocations policies, and may choose whether to prioritise other factors according to local circumstances.

3) Is there any specific way in which they allocate their properties which differs from other borough?

We use a combination of banding and points, though I do not believe Merton is unique in this respect.

4) Has choice based lettings scheme really worked for the applicants and are they happy with the scheme?

I would say yes because it is a much more open and transparent system where the customers can see what is available and this gives them a far more realistic expectation. We have not had any serious complain since the start of the scheme.

5) Has there been any viable option apart from choice based lettings schemes?

We do still do direct allocations in some cases where an applicant requires a certain type of property e.g medical problems or sensitive lets

6) How can you achieve your choice based letting targets?

CBL has casued some difficulties in relation to void property turn around but we have otherwise met our targets.

7) Why did the government decide to introduce choice based letting scheme?

It was introduced to give customers greater say over the type and area of property they are allocated. It is a much more customer focus system.

9)Are their available and enough homes for people who are on the registered list?

No. There are currently some 7000 applicants waiting for approximately 450 properties each year

10) How many people have been rehoused through the scheme?

I am unable to be specific, but as noted above there are roughly 450 properties let each year and the scheme has been in place since 2006. I will say roughly 1800 household has been rehoused.

•How many lone- parents has been rehoused?

Approximately 45% of the household rehoused are lone parents

•How many couple has been rehoused

Roughly 25% of the household rehoused are couples.

•How many elderly and Vulnerable people have you rehoused and how do they access the system?

20% of the household rehoused are elderly and vulnerable people.

14) How do you measure success? Am just interested?

Success is measured by short void properties turn arounds. We have also just begun to measure customer satisfaction

13) What is their view about choice based lettings in General?

Overall we are happy with CBL and feel it has a positive effect for both the Council and our customers. It has reduce refusal rates and turnaround times.