27th March to 22nd May 2012

There is no bidding between these dates due to the improvements taking place on the new system.

Whilst the system is being improved (between 27th March and 22nd May) HOST will nominate applicants from Trafford’s Housing Register for suitable properties that match their assessed housing need.

Although you will not see what properties are available, the way properties are allocated has not changed. Properties will continue to be matched to people, based on Trafford Council’s Allocations Policy.

Offers of properties will also continue to be made by landlords in the same way as they are now, based on Trafford Council’s Allocations Policy.

Between 27th March and 22nd May 2012, you do not need to contact us to place bids. However, please contact us if you have a change in your circumstances. For example, if you change address.

Letters are being sent out to everyone on the Housing Waiting List between the 4th May and the 14th May advising them to re-register online to become active on the new Choice Based Lettings system. The website to re-register will be available from Monday 7th May. The online form is here: www.traffordhomesearch.co.uk

The letter will give you the information you need to do this. If you need assistance in completing the re-registration process telephone 0161 909 6514. Ring this number if you haven’t received your letter by the 16th May.

All bidding cycles will run between Wednesday 10am and the following Sunday at midnight. The initial bidding cycle will start on Wednesday 23rd May at 10am and end on Sunday 27th May at midnight.

We have developed a new and improved Choice Based Letting service, called Trafford HomeSearch, which will be available on this website in May 2012.

Allocations Scheme Summary for Trafford HomeSearch

• Property searching is easy. You can search using the map or search by property type
• You can bid for properties; on line, by texting, by telephone, by visiting our offices
• You can text us to bid for a property or to cancel your bid
• We can text you to let you know if a landlord has withdrawn a property that you have bid on, so you can change your bid to a different property
• If you are already a social housing tenant and you want to move home, you can swap properties, using the ‘mutual exchange’ option
• Upgraded security. You will be able to select your own passwords
• New applicants can register on line. You don’t need to complete and post a paper form. This speeds up the time it takes to register and start bidding for properties
• You can fully update your application on line such as; change of address, adding a new baby or other household members
• You can complete a medical form on line. It will be reviewed on line by our panel of experts and you can see the decision on-line. Again, you don’t need to complete and post a form. This will speed up the time it takes to get a decision on your medical application
• The system will inform you straight away if you need to provide evidence of your change of circumstances; such as a birth certificate for a new baby
• The system will match people to suitable properties, for example if you need an accessible or adapted property for medical reasons
• You can provisionally accept properties on-line – without having to make a phone call to the landlord
• You can view and print off all letters relating to your application
• You can monitor your bids to see your position on the list and the position on the list of the winning bidder

Whether you are already a resident of Trafford, the Greater Manchester area, or from further afield, Housing Options Service Trafford (HOST) have a range of services to help you find your new home.

We work closely with Housing Associations, also known as registered social landlords or privately registered providers of social housing. They offer properties for affordable rent or ownership. Housing Associations do not make a profit. Any money they do make is put back into improving homes or building new ones. Trafford Council transferred its social housing (also known as Council houses) to Trafford Housing Trust (a Housing Association) in 2005.

HOST are responsible for ensuring the fair and transparent allocation of social housing (based on greatest need of applicants) on behalf of Trafford Council. This is achieved by:

• Trafford’s Housing Register, contains details of all people who are in need of housing. This register is managed by HOST


• The council has ‘nomination rights’ for Housing Association properties in Trafford. This means many Housing Association properties must be offered; to people on Trafford’s Housing Register and based on the council’s Allocations Policy (the greatest needs of applicants)


• The council’s Allocations Policy sets out how its ‘nominated’ properties will be allocated fairly and transparently to people on the housing register. Applicants on the housing register are placed in a category group based on their housing need


• All of the council’s ‘nominated’ properties are advertised on the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) service, managed by HOST. If you are on Trafford’s Housing Register you can bid for these properties. The CBL system will ‘nominate’ applicants (bidders) to the Housing Association, based on the greatest need


• Housing Associations don’t have to nominate all of their properties to the council, although some choose to do this. Many Housing Associations also have their own housing register and their own policies for allocation of housing. To improve your chances of finding a property, you should contact Housing Associations and apply to go on their Housing Register


• HOST monitor the allocation of properties by Housing Associations. This ensures that they allocate their agreed number of ‘nominated properties’ to people who are in greatest need and on Trafford’s Housing Register
• Housing Associations and other registered social landlords advertise properties on our Choice Based Lettings service (CBL). There are a wide range of properties including; new and re-let accommodation, flats, bungalows and houses. Most Housing Associations provide a range of accommodation to suit individual needs such as; families, single people, couples, older, or disabled.
• A selection of these properties are also advertised in our HOST office (see address below) and where possible, at Housing Association offices and Community Centres across Trafford.

The following information will change when we launch the new Trafford HomeSearch in May 2012.

First, you must register with us; you can download a Housing Application form here.

If you currently live in Trafford and need re-housing because of a medical problem, you must also complete the Medical Application form.

If you currently live outside of Trafford, do not complete the medical form. A medical problem will not affect the category you are allocated to.

Your completed application can be emailed or posted to HOST or you can visit our office. Contact details and opening times are below.

When we receive your application, your details will be added to Trafford Council’s Housing Register. We will write to you, to confirm you are registered. We will also advise you of your application reference number and other details you need, so that you can apply (bid) for properties that you are interested in. Follow the steps below to view and bid for properties on Trafford HomeSearch.

If your bid is successful you will be contacted by the landlord (Housing Association). If you are not contacted, you have not been successful and will need to continue bidding.

There is a shortage of social housing and demand is high.

If you only bid for properties in an area where demand is high, or if your application has not been awarded a high category on the housing register, it will be more difficult to find a property.

You can improve your chances by:

• Bidding for properties in a wider area
• Apply directly to Housing Associations
• Applying for properties from private landlords

Many Housing Associations have properties on their own housing register. To apply for these properties, you will need to register with the Housing Association. Some Housing Associations also advertise properties on Pinpoint.

The more Housing Associations you register with, the more chances you will have of finding a property.

In the event of becoming homeless, we will provide help and assistance for you. We operate a 24-hour homeless service every day of the year. Related information: What happens if I am homeless?

If you are homeless or are concerned you may become homeless contact:

Housing Options Service Trafford
Friars Court
Sibson Road
Sale
M33 7SF

Email: host@salford.gov.uk
Telephone: 0161 912 2230

Opening times

You can contact us between 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

The service is closed for staff training on Wednesday mornings.

Or outside these hours if you are homeless, contact the Emergency Duty Team, telephone 0161 794 8888.