Mayor backs shake-up of homes

The council’s ruling cabinet has given the go-ahead for the launch of Doncaster HomeChoice, which is intended to allow people on the council waiting list to apply for a home of their choice rather than having to wait for an offer.

The initiative will be introduced on November 1.

People on the council house waiting list will be banded according to their priority - either platinum, gold, silver or bronze - and they can then register an interest for properties advertised in their particular band. If more than one person applies for the property, the customer with the earliest registration date will be offered the home first.

Councillor Chris Mills, cabinet member for strategic investment, said: “The introduction of this scheme is part of Doncaster Council's wider housing strategy to increase people's ability to access affordable housing across the borough.”

Judith Jones, director of St Leger Homes, said: “This is a revolutionary way of allocating council homes.

“Applicants already on the council’s housing register will automatically be transferred to this scheme and will not have to reapply. We will be sending them out information packs over the coming weeks which will give them full details on how to express an interest.”