Housing Waiting List

As part of our preparations to introduce a new allocation policy and a new approach to allocating properties called Choice Based Lettings, we are carrying out a thorough review of the Housing Register.

The Council must prioritise by law certain groups of applicants. These predominately are homeless families, and those with medical conditions that are worsened by their housing situation.  As we only have around 500 vacancies each year, we will never be able to assist everyone who has applied to us for housing. 

In order to ensure that we are not raising applicants’ hopes unnecessarily, and to manage the Housing Register in preparation for the change to Choice Based Lettings we are advising people, honestly and realistically, about their housing options. If you make contact with us by telephone we will discuss, with you, your prospects of being rehoused depending on your current circumstances. If your Housing Register application would attract very little priority, we would be unlikely to offer you any accommodation in the future and will explain the reasons for this. We will also discuss with you other housing options which may be available to you. Should your circumstances suggest that you would be a high priority, we will send you an application pack to complete and return to the address below.

The Application Pack contains-:

• An Application Form.
• A Housing Association booklet - telling you about Housing Associations with properties in this area, and how to contact them.
• Guidelines on how to fill in your application form.
• Two leaflets called 'Where do I want to live?' and 'What size home would I get?'.

All successful applicants will receive a letter telling them their level of points (how we assess their priority for a move), and their registration number.

Anyone who has a medical problem which affects their need to move can ask for a medical assessment - this involves filling in a form saying what the condition is and how the condition is affected by the accommodation you are living in. An independent Doctor will look at the details provided in the form and decide if the application for housing should be given more priority on medical grounds.

You may also wish to consider applying to the local Housing Associations. You can apply and register for housing with other Councils and Housing Associations at the same time.

To find out if you are eligible for Council Housing or to discuss other housing options please contact:-

Housing Options Team,
South Bedfordshire District Council,
The District Offices,
High Street North,
Dunstable,
Bedfordshire. LU6 1LF

Telephone: 0845 849 6204

Updated 18 April 2008