A NEW system of allocating affordable homes for rent is being introduced in West Devon from the end of this month. Homefinder Direct allows those on West Devon Borough Council?s housing register ? around 1,200 people ? to apply for the home of their choice instead of waiting to be offered a home. The new venture covers the districts of West Devon, Restormel, Caradon and North Cornwall. Under the scheme, the previous complex points method of determining an applicant?s level of housing need is being replaced by a simple banding system and applicants will be able to bid for homes in all the districts. Everyone on the housing register will be placed in one of three bands ? gold, silver or bronze ? based on their housing need and circumstances. Under Homefinder Direct, all available homes will be advertised in the Times every fortnight starting from Thursday September 28. People on the housing register then have seven days to express an interest in the home they would like. If there is more than one applicant, the home will go to the person in the highest band who has been in that band for the longest period of time and whose circumstances have been verified. The fortnightly adverts will also include details of how many people applied for previously advertised homes and give the band and date of the successful applicants. This will help give others on the housing register a clearer idea of the demand for homes. This feedback is one of the most important aspects of the scheme. Cllr Margaret Garton, chairman of West Devon Borough Council?s future planning and housing committee, said: ?Homefinder Direct will put the customer ? the applicant ? very much in the driving seat, giving them a choice of where they want to live and the type of home they want to rent. ?At West Devon, we are always trying to improve our services and make them more customer-focussed. Homefinder Direct fits that bill perfectly.? The council will monitor the scheme closely and hopes it will speed up the process of finding suitable tenants for properties, particularly for some houses that may be difficult to let. To find out more about Homefinder Direct, call 01822 813600 or visit West Devon Borough Council?s website on http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk l ARE you in housing need? Contact West Devon Borough Council for an application form to go on its housing register. You can receive a form by phoning 01822 813600, or visiting our housing advisors at 10 St James Street Okehampton or Kilworthy Park, Drake Road, Tavistock.
