A NEW, improved, scheme for allocating council and housing association properties will be launched in West Devon in January 2010, giving people on the housing register — more than 2,000 people in West Devon — a greater choice when applying for a new home.

With Devon Home Choice, which replaces the existing Homefinder scheme, council and housing association homes available for rent will be advertised on the internet, in newsletters, and on digital TV.

People on the Devon Home Choice housing register will be able to bid for up to three homes, which meet their needs, each week. Then, from all the bids received, the successful person or family will be the one who is eligible, has the highest housing need and has been waiting the longest.

Devon Home Choice will cover the whole of Devon so will provide more choice for people by allowing moves within the county. However, anyone wishing to apply for homes in Cornwall must contact the Cornwall Home Choice Team on 0300 1234 100.

Anyone currently on the West Devon Borough Council housing register and still seeking a council or housing association home will need to re-register with Devon Home Choice. For more information call West Devon's housing team on 01822 813600 or email [email protected]">[email protected]