Council house list shake-up planned

PEOPLE with a strong local connection and residents on low incomes will move to the top of West Berkshire Council’s council house list under a planned shake-up.The council is currently reviewing how it allocates council housing in the hope of making the system more open and fair.

Currently, people who want to apply for a council property can do so whether they need a home or not, but under new powers the council will be able to vet applicants under a number of categories before making a decision.

It also means the council can prevent those it deems as having no need for council housing from getting on the waiting list, and it would also restrict those who owe money, or have been previously excluded for bad behaviour from applying.

The bidding cycle would also move to daily rather than weekly, meaning applicants would be expected to check and apply for a home as frequently as possible.

The current average waiting time for a council house ranges from 15 months for sheltered accommodation up to three years for a three-bed home, although some applicants can wait much longer.

Consultation on the changes has started and will run for 12 weeks, before a draft policy will be produced in June.

Residents can have their say on the changes and find out more by logging on to www.westberks.com/housingconsultation, or by telephoning project manager Jayne Mills on (01635) 519214.