Choice Based Letting In West London
The flagship West London project is the Locata choice based lettings scheme. The scheme was originally set up by 5 West London boroughs (Ealing, Brent, Hounslow, Hillingdon and Harrow) and 3 RSLs (Ealing Family Housing, PCHA and Paradigm), who now jointly own the company, Locata Housing Services.
The original development of the scheme was funded by a grant from the then ODPM, with match funding from the original member boroughs. The West London Locata scheme now includes Hammersmith & Fulham and most of the RSLs with property in West London. Member fees cover the cost of the fortnightly free-sheet, maintenance of the IT system, processing of bids. Locata Housing Services (the company owned by the original 8 members) provides administration and support, plus additional products (mutual exchange, nomination tracking, shared ownership tracking) at no extra cost to West London members.
In West London the Choice Based Lettings scheme is operated on a sub regional basis with boroughs and RSLs working closely together and sharing a common allocations policy. This ensures that people looking for social rented housing have a wider choice of properties(albeit within a very constrained supply), including access to properties in other boroughs. It is currently the only CBL system in London that facilitates cross borough mobility in this way.
The West London Allocations Group
The West London Allocations Group consists of lettings officers from the 6 West London boroughs and partner RSLs who are members of the West London Locata Choice Based Lettings partnership, and deals with the operational issues arising from the joint system. The West London Strategic lettings group manages the relationship with Locata Housing Services and deals with strategic issues.
Last updated: 30 April 2008