2 weeks Ago
A new online housing application system is to be launched by a council. Chichester District Council hopes the initiative will make the process of joining the housing register faster and more user-friendly. The system is part of a series of service development improvements and responds directly to customer feedback.
One of the key features of the new system is that residents on the housing list will be able to "bid" for available properties that meet their needs more frequently. The transition to the new system is expected to conclude in May. During this period, the council will not accept new applications for the housing register unless the applicant has an urgent housing need.
In such cases, an e-form will be available on the council's website for completion. Oona Hickson, councillor responsible for housing, revenues, and benefits at Chichester District Council, said: "We want to make it as easy as possible for people to contact our housing team for advice and support and the new system will further improve this. "We have listened to our customers and we believe that this new system will directly address feedback that we have received.
" Residents who are already on the council's housing register will be contacted to ensure their details and housing requirements are current. Existing housing advice or homelessness applications will be automatically transferred to the new system, with no action required from the applicants. They will be contacted with account details and instructions on using the new service once it is launched.
The new system, named "Chichester Home Move", will replace the current Home Move system, which is only updated fortnightly. The new system will allow housing associations to add vacant homes as soon as they become available, enabling residents to bid daily for suitable homes. A wide range of housing information and advice is available on the council's housing web pages, including help finding affordable housing to buy or rent, and information on grants and discounts to help with housing costs.
The council also has a designated Supporting You team, who work with services across the council to help people access a range of assistance, including help with housing, financial help to pay bills, along with health and wellbeing support..
