Housing process revamped

A NEW social housing allocations process is aiming to make it easier for Oldham residents to find and apply for a new home.

Oldham Council is changing the way social housing is allocated across the borough with a new process designed to be more efficient and cost effective while also ensuring people are given realistic advice based on their needs.

A new website 'My Move Oldham', which launches on Wednesday, will give residents the chance to register for social housing and bid for available homes.

Visitors to the site will also be able to manage and update their account details and check bidding activity.

The new scheme will ensure that all four bedroom (or more), sheltered and heavily adapted homes, and 50 per cent of remaining homes will be ring-fenced for households in need.

The remaining homes will be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis, irrespective of housing need.

Households in need will also be able to bid for homes advertised this way.

Currently there are around 15,000 people on Oldham Council's housing register and only around 2,000 council and housing association homes available.

In addition, more than 8,000 have no housing need and a significant proportion rarely place bids for homes.

For more details, visit: www.mymoveoldham.co.uk