A MUCH-needed overhaul of the district’s housing register system has been approved.
Stratford District Council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead to a series of measures to improve the performance and efficiency of the service, following a sustained backlog of housing applications and missed performance targets.
It is hoped this will improve the experience for residents seeking access to social housing.
A key change will be SDC’s withdrawal from the Homechoice Plus Partnership to enable greater autonomy and flexibility in managing its housing register.
The Homechoice Plus system, introduced in 2008, was once a sector-leading platform. However, it no longer meets the technological and security needs of SDC.
The current version is unsupported by its provider, Civica, raising serious concerns about data security, particularly given the sensitive nature of housing applications.
With nearly 5,800 active applications, significantly higher than comparable authorities, SDC’s housing register plays a vital role in both housing allocation and strategic planning.
A £150,000 investment has been earmarked in the Council Plan to support the procurement of a new system. This will reduce manual processing, improve customer service, and ensure compliance with statutory duties under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996.
SDC’s customer services spokesperson Coun Liz Coles said: “This is a vital step forward in ensuring our residents receive the service they deserve. By investing in modern systems and reviewing our operational model, we are committed to delivering a fair, efficient, and secure housing register that meets the needs of our community.”
A public consultation on the revised Housing Allocation Scheme will be launched shortly.
