A new system to help customers in need of housing support is now up and running in the Dorset Council area.
Customers who need help from the council’s housing service can use Dorset Council Home Choice to apply to join the housing register, bid on properties and seek help if they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The council’s old system, known as Dorset Homechoice, is now closed following a process to move existing customers onto the new platform which began in July.
Existing customers were contacted and advised to re-register onto Dorset Council Home Choice by 1 December to stay on the housing list.
All applicants who took part in the re-registration process have now had their applications assessed and can start to bid for properties using the new system.
The changes are part of work to bring in the new Dorset Council Housing Allocation Policy.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety said:
“Introducing our new Dorset Council housing allocation policy and new software is a great milestone that will benefit households with a housing need.
“In delivering this work we were supported by our community, partner organisations, other council services and members who came together to engage with the design and implementation of both and I would like to extend my thanks to everyone involved.”
New customers can register on the Dorset Council Home Choice system online at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing-register
Digital support
You need to have an email address to access Dorset Council Home Choice. If you need support getting online please contact our Dorset Digital Hotline on 01305 221048.
The Dorset Digital Hotline can help customers to create email accounts, build confidence using the online system and electronically submitting their supporting documents. The digital hotline may be able to help with access to devices, such as laptops or phones.
Emergency help
Households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can get advice and support to make a self-referral to Dorset Council at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing/homelessness
Can you tell me when new houses come up to bid on is it monthly weekly or what I have just been accepted to the register but not a lot of information on what to do
Dear Sarah-Jane,
There is more information about how to bid for properties etc here https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing-register.
Hope that helps.
Kind regards,
Sarah