Cornwall Council launches review of system for allocating social housing

The local authority and its housing partners are reviewing how they allocate social housing amid an ‘unprecedented housing crisis’.  

Individuals who have used or are currently using the Cornwall Homechoice housing register – a scheme where households can apply for affordable homes owned and managed by the Council and its partners -are being urged to give their thoughts on how the system works and what can be done to improve it. The consultation is open until 25^th August.

Due to the Covid pandemic and the current hikes of inflation rates, social homes are in high demand in Cornwall, with over 22,000 households on the Homechoice register.

The Council have stated they want to prioritise those most in need and make housing affordable for key workers.

Currently, the Cornwall Homechoice Partnership is clear that:

• Applicants should have an open, simple and transparent route to apply and bid for affordable homes
• Applicants can exercise a degree of choice
• There will be appropriate advice and guidance available on alternative housing options
• Available homes are matched to applicants in most urgent housing need

Councillor Olly Monk, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for housing, said: ‘Cornwall is faced with an unprecedented housing crisis.  How we allocate social housing needs to be transparent, fair, and easily understood by applicants and offer real choice.

‘We have to prioritise our residents who are in most housing need and must do all that we can to ensure that our most vulnerable residents have access to available homes at a rent they can afford.  

‘We also need key workers to support the services we all use, from nurses and teachers to hospitality workers and refuse collectors – and we need to help them find a home they can afford.’

‘As a council we are doing all we can to support residents to find the homes they need – from building and buying more homes to working with government to introduce double council tax on second homes and limiting the number of holiday lets through the planning process,’ Cllr Olly Monk said. ‘As a partnership, we are reviewing the way Homechoice works to provide the best opportunity to support those most in housing need.’

Image: Greg Willson