Review launched into Cornwall social housing allocation system

The council say they want to prioritise those most in need

Author: Sophie SquiresPublished 7th Jun 2023
Last updated 7th Jun 2023

Cornwall Council and its partners are launching a review into a system used for allocating social housing.

The authority say they want to hear from anyone who is using or has used the Cornwall Homechoice housing register.

They say they want to prioritise residents who are most in need, as the county faces an "unprecedented housing crisis".

Councillor Olly Monk, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for housing says:

"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.

The Cornwall Homechoice Scheme is a common housing register where households can register and apply for affordable homes owned and managed by the Council and its partners – collectively known as the Cornwall Homechoice Partnership.

The council say social homes are in high demand in Cornwall, with over 22,000 households on the Homechoice register.

Councillor Monk adds: "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.

"As a partnership, we are reviewing the way Homechoice works to provide the best opportunity to support those most in housing need."

The survey will close at 5.00pm on Friday 25 August 2023.

You can take part here.

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