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Welcome to Doncaster HomeChoice

Changes from 1 April 2009.

From 1 April 2009, changes have been made to Doncaster HomeChoice, following the recent consultation process carried out during October & November 2008. To view a copy of the Current Allocations Policy click here, to see an overview of the current policy please click here.

A news letter has been sent to all our customers, explaining the changes. 

From April 2009, we are working with some Housing Associations on a pilot scheme, to advertise some of their vacancies in our HomeChoice advert to give you a wider choice.  You can bid on these properties in the normal way and will be contacted by the Housing Association if you are successful.

Housing Associations:

• Provide low cost Social Housing for people in need
• Are non profit organisations
• Are regulated by the Tenants Services Authority (TSA)

Please note up and coming changes to the sign up process starting on the 13 July 2009.

In order to improve the service we provide to our new tenants we are introducing a more effective way of ensuring they are accessing all benefits they are entitled to. New tenants will be asked to bring details of their finances so that a calculation can be done with the relevant forms completed at that time. Where new tenants are not entitled to any benefits the first weeks rent will be paid at sign up of the tenancy. This will enable the rent account to be set up without showing any arrears. Where benefit is due, a full claim form will be completed and submitted to the Housing Benefit section. If partial benefit is shown, the new tenant will be asked to pay the amount identified + £2 to allow for variance, until the benefit amount is confirmed.

An overview of Doncaster HomeChoice

Doncaster HomeChoice is the way of allocating Council Houses in Doncaster. It allows you to apply for a home of your choice instead of waiting for us to contact you.

Doncaster HomeChoice is a 'choice based' lettings scheme and this means that you can choose which home, in which area you would like to live in.  A choice based lettings scheme offers more choice for customers and is transparent enabling you to make more informed choices.  We have produced a booklet called choosing an area to give information about the areas in Doncaster to help make this easier for you.

The first properties were advertised under Doncaster HomeChoice on 1 November 2007. 

You are able to bid on up to three properties each week either, through this website, through the automated telephone system on 0800 027 6235 or through text message to 07781 484 771.

In order to bid you must be registered with Doncaster HomeChoice.  If you are already registered with St Leger Homes of Doncaster for rehousing, you have been automatically registered with Doncaster HomeChoice. 

To take account of housing needs there are four bands  – Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.  You will be banded according to your priority under the new allocations policy.  Your priority will be based on your application details.  You can bid for all properties that you are eligible for.  If more than one person applies for the same property, the customer with the earliest registration or effective date will be offered the property first.

Properties will be advertised from Thursday morning at 00.01am and will close on Monday night at 11.59 pm.  Shortlists will then be produced and we will contact the successful applicant on Wednesday or Thursday following to close of the advertisement.

Each week we will publish the properties that we have allocated in previous weeks.

Moving into your own home can be an exciting time – but also an expensive one.

If you have managed household bills before, you will know about the costs involved in running a home. However, if you are managing a household budget for the first time, you will need to think carefully about how much money you will need to set up your home and pay your regular bills.

Find out what costs you will need to think about here.

Visit St. Leger Homes new website www.SLHDMoneywise.co.uk to find out more about how to make the most of your money, check you are getting the right income, choose the right energy supplier and manage your debts.

You can also check your benefits are correct with the Benefits Calculator

Helping You to Use the Service

If you or someone you know would like help to use our service please contact us on 01302 862628 or go to our contact us page on this web site.