An introduction to Choice Based Mobility

1. An introduction to Choice Based Mobility Stephen Ellis CLG Mobility Services Delivery Manager South East London Housing Partnership 2009

2. Introduction to housingmoves • Seaside & Country Homes scheme • Choice Based Mobility • www.housingmoves.org • National housing mobility advice hotline • Identifies other housing mobility options • Shares good practice with participating landlords • Quarterly newsletters for landlords and registrants • ‘Highly commended’ by CLG Permanent Secretary following short-listing for Delivery of Services and Analysis Award

3. Seaside & Country Homes • Scheme dates back to GLC • Properties subject to Nomination Agreement between Secretary of State and participating landlords • Open to applicants aged 60 and above who occupy social housing in London and who are referred by their landlord • Priority given to households who free up the largest properties • 3,500 properties on scheme and approx 8% become void each year • Portfolio of one and two-bed flats and bungalows • Demand outstrips supply

4. Choice Based Mobility • London Boroughs and London based RSLs promote the scheme and nominate applicants • Applications vetted by the housingmoves team • Properties are managed by participating landlords • Void property details are passed on to housingmoves team • housingmoves staff contact registered applicants to offer viewings • Applicant views property and hopefully accepts tenancy offer • London landlord fills new void from transfer or waiting list

5. Choice Based Mobility pilot case study National RSL • Properties currently let through direct nom, and local and regional CBLs • Some attracting no bids at all • Mixture of properties: General needs, studios, sheltered • Properties identified as hard-to-let passed to housingmoves team • Property type/size and local area and amenities info provided • housingmoves team contact relevant registrants • Interested registrants nominated • Viewing arranged and tenancy offered housingmoves now able to offer opportunities to areas not covered by SCH Nomination Agreement and filling at least one void each month

6. Choice Based Mobility pilot case study two Local Authority • 40% of stock is classified as older persons accommodation • Regional CBL launched early 2008 • Some ‘hard-to-let’ stock attracting small numbers of bids • housingmoves already offers SCH customers the chance to move to nearby area • housingmoves registers interested customers on sub-regional CBL • Properties still available after two bidding cycles made available to housingmoves • Property type/size and local area and amenities info provided • housingmoves team contact potential movers and bid on their behalf • landlord notifies registrant and housingmoves of the outcome of the bid • Viewing arranged and tenancy offered

7. Why should landlords participate? • Properties can remain empty for long periods of time • Additional rental income and tenants who have chosen to live in their home and local area • Increased political profile of housing mobility • HCA ‘Mobility Matters report’ • conservative mutual exchange proposals • Large numbers of under-occupied properties in London • More appropriate use of stock • Properties promoted through website, newsletter and virtual tours • Free service – and all of the hard work is done by housingmoves staff!

8. Opportunities South East • Ashford, Isle of Wight, Christchurch, Tonbridge, Reading, Eastbourne, Portsmouth South West • Devon, Torquay, Wiltshire, Bath, Newton Abbot, Leamington Spa East of England • Great Yarmouth, Norwich, North Walsham, South Cambs, Peterborough, Rochford Beyond • Salford, St Helens, Bolton, Staffordshire • National RSLs • More than 50 landlords participating • Projected moves for year one: 150

9. Regional Officers Greater London and the South East • Sima Gohil • 07920 753 185 South West • Josie Wainwright • 07786 910 936 East of England • Colin Gipp • 07786 910 300 Stand number 11

10. Mobility advice for customers • 08450 21 20 20 • email: enquiries:@housingmoves.org • Experienced customer service team • Providing information on housing opportunities to all • Info on assistance payments and how to access CBL schemes • www.housingmoves.org

11. www.housingmoves.org • Info on each scheme and how to apply • Downloadable application form and guidance notes • Property and area information • News and Events • PDFs of all marketing material including case studies and landlord and applicant notes

12. Thanks for listening Any questions? Stephen Ellis Mobility Services Delivery Manager housingmoves 242 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 1AU T: 020 7944 2553 E: stephen.ellis@housingmoves.org