What is HomeChoice?

	What happens after you join HomeChoice?
	What are the HomeChoice bands?
	How will I know what homes are available?
	What will the adverts look like?
	How can I bid for a home?
	How long will I have to bid?
	How will I know if my bid has been successful?
	How many bids can I make?
	What is an eligible bid?
	Is any priority given to those in urgent need?
	Adapted Properties
	A simple guide to HomeChoice

What happens after you join HomeChoice?
 
If you are accepted onto the scheme, we will send you a HomeChoice membership pack, which will contain:

• Your membership and PIN number – these are important, as you will need them to make bids
• Confirmation of your HomeChoice membership date
• Details of the band you are in
• A sample of the weekly HomeChoice newspaper
• A handy HomeChoice card to keep your details on
• A complete Guide to HomeChoice and The Lettings Policy

See for yourself...

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What are the HomeChoice Bands?

HomeChoice members are in one of two bands:

Band 1

Applicants with an urgent need for housing or high priority will be added to Band 1. Typical cases will include those:

• Accepted by Gateshead Council as statutory homeless
• Living in severely overcrowded accommodation, or a property in substantial disrepair
• At risk in their current home because of substantial of critical medical needs

Band 2

All other members of the HomeChoice scheme.

How will I know what homes are available?

Members of the scheme are sent free copies of the HomeChoice newspaper on a weekly basis*, and each edition will also be available from housing offices and other public buildings.

Sample copy of the weekly HomeChoice newspaper (522K PDF)

Alternatively, you can log onto www.ghchoice.co.uk to see available properties. Only registered, HomeChoice members can make bids, but anyone can look at properties available while they are waiting for membership to be approved.

Free internet access is available at libraries, Gateshead Civic Centre and other buildings across Gateshead. Ask at your local library for details.

*Members may have to renew their subscription to the HomeChoice newspaper from time to time.

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What will the adverts look like?

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How can I bid for a home?

• Log onto www.ghchoice.co.uk
• Call our automated HomeChoice bidding service on 08459 400 530 (calls will be charged at the local rate)
• Text your bids to 0762 480 4167 (your standard network charges will apply)
• Visit your nearest housing office

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How long will I have to bid?

Bids will be open every week between 9am Friday to noon Wednesday, and it doesn’t matter when you place a bid. Being the first or last bid won’t matter; it’s down to your waiting time on the HomeChoice scheme.

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How will I know if my bid has been successful?

Once the closing date has been reached, all eligible bids will be considered and, subject to scheme rules, the bidder with the longest waiting time in the advertised band will be offered the property.

Successful HomeChoice members will be contacted by The Gateshead Housing Company and given the chance to view the property, and then move in if they find it suitable.

The HomeChoice website and weekly newspaper will also give feedback on previously advertised homes.

For example, it will give the number of members who bid for a particular home, and the waiting time of the successful member.
This will provide members with useful information for bidding for properties in the future.

How many bids can I make?

You can make up to three bids per week, in one, two or three separate occasions.

Members can cancel bids and make new ones prior to bids closing.

What is an eligible bid?

An ‘eligible bid’ means the property is an appropriate type and size for the applicant.

For instance, some sheltered accommodation has a minimum age limit, a three bed home would not be suitable for a single person, and a family of four couldn’t live in a one bed flat!

Is any priority given to those in urgent need?

For a proportion of homes advertised, preference will first be given to bids from applicants who have been assessed to have an urgent housing need.

These applicants are known as ‘Band 1’ applicants.

If more than one Band 1 member bids, then the preference will go to the member who has been on Band 1 the longest.

If no Band 1 applicants bid for the property, then other bids will be considered.

A fair range of property sizes, types and locations will be advertised with priority.

The adverts for these properties will be clearly marked to show that preference will be given to Band 1 applicants.

However, all HomeChoice members are allowed to bid for any suitable property.

For all other properties, no preference will be given to Band 1 applicants.

What about homes for members with special needs?

A proportion of homes advertised have adapted features.

Adapted properties are homes that have had relevant adjustments made to enable tenants to live independently at home.

Adapted properties have preference to HomeChoice members who have received Band 1 status on health grounds. Members have medical priority due to critical or substantial illness, including:

• Those who are currently in hospital and cannot be discharged as their current home is not suitable for their needs.
  
  This also includes members being moved to respite care, immediate care or other short-term solutions.

• Members who have been assessed by a specialist health professional to have a risk to their life if they do not move. This includes illnesses like Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, acute medical conditions which relate to failure of major organs and other serious illnesses.

• Applicants who have been referred to a consultant psychiatrist who has recommended that if they do not move their life could be at risk due to psychological ailment.

What do adapted property adverts look like?

All adapted property adverts contain the following symbol:

and contain a full description of the adaptation and who the property is suitable for.

Can anyone bid for adapted properties?

Yes, all HomeChoice members who are eligible to bid can bid for adapted properties.

Please note however that members who have Band 1 status on health grounds will take priority over other applicants.

A simple guide to HomeChoice

• Available properties are advertised every week
• You can bid for up to three properties from Friday to Wednesday each week
• All eligible bids will be considered – but the bidder with the most waiting time will be successful
• The more waiting time you build up, the more chance you have of making a successful bid
• For some properties Band 2 applicants are only considered if nobody in Band 1 bids
• Band 1 properties will be clearly marked in adverts.

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