Local connections policy for rented homes

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Local connections policy for rented homes

A new scheme that takes into account people's local connections when allocating affordable rented homes has been agreed in the Cotswolds.

Working in partnership, Fosseway Housing Association (FHA) and Cotswold District Council have agreed to establish a local lettings policy.

The Council transferred all its housing stock in 1997 to FHA, which is now the largest registered social landlord in the District.

The new policy means Fosseway and the district's other main housing associations can identify properties that may be suitable when considering people with local connections.

Council leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said: "The Council has no say in who should be housed, but we are very keen to ensure people with local connections have opportunities to rent an affordable home.

"We are very pleased that Fosseway has agreed to take this policy on board. While it's important that housing need will always come first, local connections may now be used as an additional determining factor when letting homes.

"I hope that working with Fosseway on this scheme will go some way towards building sustainable communities where people with strong ties to the Cotswolds can live."

Stephen Cook, Managing Director of FHA, said: "We share the Council's objective to build sustainable communities and believe that a flexible approach, tailored to certain properties that become vacant, will contribute towards this.

"There are almost 4500 applicants on the housing register and we have only 400 vacancies each year. All our vacancies are advertised in the local newspaper, and it will clearly show where a local connection criteria has been agreed. Naturally, applicants need to ensure that their details held by HomeView are fully up to date in order to benefit from these new agreements."

Posted : 03/10/2006 15:25:12

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


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