Changes are being made to the way Falkirk Council lets houses.

This will make sure that people with the greatest need are housed and the council can make the best use of the properties available.

The new allocations policy and Choice Based Lettings (CBL) will be introduced in January 2010.

The council is planning to write to all applicants currently on the housing list to tell them about the changes and to find out if they want to continue to be considered for council housing.

Applicants are being asked to reply to this as soon as possible to make sure their information is up-to-date before the launch of the new allocations system.

One of the main changes is that available properties will be advertised every two weeks on the council website www.falkirk.gov.uk and in property newsletter which will be available in Neighbourhood Offices/One Stop Shops, the Accommodation Resource Centre (ARC), High Street, Falkirk and in libraries.

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Applicants will then have the chance to apply for a property they want to be considered for. This is known as Choice Based Lettings (CBL) and will give housing applicants more choice over where they want to live and the type of house they want to live in.

The new Allocations System will place applicants in one of three groups, according to their housing situation, and give them a priority based on their housing need:

• Group 1 - Home Seekers for people who are considered homeless in terms of homeless legislation. The council aims to let 50% of vacant houses to Home Seekers.
• Group 2 - Home Movers for people who are tenants of Falkirk Council or of a Housing Association (Registered Social Landlord) living in the council area. The council aims to let 25% of vacant houses to Home Movers.
• Group 3 - Home Starters for people who don't fall into groups 1 and 2. The council aims to let 25% of vacant houses to Home Starters.

Director of Corporate and Neighbourhood Services, Stuart Ritchie, said: "Last year we went through an extensive and very successful consultation process with the people and organisations that have a stake in the future of housing in our area.

"Now we have a new Allocations Policy and Choice Based Letting system that is modern, accessible and will allow Falkirk Council to ensure that people in the greatest housing need will be helped. It will also allow us to make the best use of the housing we have available."

(GK/KMcA)