Common housing register
Proposals are in hand to introduce a new way of applying for social rented housing in East Renfrewshire. The new Common Housing Register (CHR) will provide simpler and fairer access to social housing in the area. The main benefits will be:
Tenants and applicants over 16 years of age will be able to apply to a group of participating landlords by completing ONE Housing Application Form. This is a simpler way to register on more than one waiting list and provides a wider choice of housing.
The partner landlords will select their tenants from a single pool of applications using their own Allocation Policy.
A Housing and Information Service will be offered by all the partner landlords.
Landlords should benefit from the improved use of housing stock to meet local needs more effectively, tools for strategic planning and better operational efficiency.
Background
In 2001 the Scottish Executive provided funding to several local authorities to take part in a pilot project to implement CHRs. Funding was subsequently made available to Local Authorities, working in partnership with Registered Social Landlords, to support the development of CHRs across Scotland. Common Housing Registers are now in operation in a few areas of the country.
Landlords participating in East Renfrewshire's common housing register are:
Arklet Housing Association
Barrhead Housing Association
East Renfrewshire Council
Other national/specialist housing providers have very limited stock in East Renfrewshire but wish to participate in the register. These are:
Cube Housing AssociationTrust Housing Association
Hanover (Scotland) Housing AssociationHorizon Housing Association
Margaret Blackwood Housing AssociationCrown Housing Association
Link Housing Association
Current status
The 3 landlord partners are working together to develop and achieve the best possible systems to operate a successful CHR for East Renfrewshire. They are currently reviewing their Allocation Policies and each landlord will continue to prioritise and select tenants using their own individual Allocation Policy.
The proposed CHR Model has been agreed. The Common Housing Application Form, Medical Priority Form and other documentation is being drafted and work is ongoing on the computer system and other elements of the Register. It is hoped to launch the Common Housing Register within the next six months.
Meantime, if you have any queries or wish to comment on issues relating to the Common Housing Register, please contact:
Mary Barlow
CHR Development Officer
211 Main Street
Barrhead
G78 1SY
0141 577 3589