Surely any letting system can only offer what is available, and I'm not aware that choice-based letting has ever promised to create vacancies from out of thin air.
Far from dashing applicants' hopes, choice-based letting puts an end to the myth that each week there are hundreds of homes vacant with housing staff doing all they can to let them to applicants with no real housing need. It helps individuals manage their own expectations – something we all have to do in life, however much choice we are offered.
Stephen Cook, director of operations Fosseway Housing Association
Since last year we have been operating "Your Choice" for 50% of our lettings in our main local authority area, an area of high demand, large numbers of homeless acceptances and a chronic shortfall of affordable housing.
We did not introduce the system in the hope that it would address the issue of shortage, but with the intention that it would deliver efficiencies in managing the voids and lettings process and, more importantly, it would see our customers being treated with greater dignity and being given more responsibility for their decisions.
If the alternative the article suggests of "trying to persuade your housing officer you should move up the queue" is really to be preferred – then why don't we just abandon the idea of promoting empowerment and customer service and go back to the old days of "the professional knows best".
Tim Frondigoun, director, housing services, HomeZone
Source
Housing Today
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