Scheme’s Xtra help looking for a home

PEOPLE with jobs, in training or doing voluntary work could get priority for some council and housing association homes under a new lettings policy for Oldham.

Called WorkingXtra, it is being piloted across Greater Manchester.

Oldham Council believes it will promote economic growth and make estates more sustainable. The scheme will be discussed at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

In Oldham, where there are around 6,500 people on the housing waiting list, WorkingXtra will mean higher priority for people in permanent jobs, on temporary contracts, or self-employed; volunteers with registered tenants’ groups or charities; those on job-related training; and registered carers.

Half of newly-built, general homes will be allocated for WorkingXtra applicants, as will the Crossley estate in Chadderton, which is undergoing a multi-million-pound revamp, and the St Mary’s, Higginshaw and Coldhurst area.

Sheltered housing for older people and purpose-built or adapted homes for the disabled are not included.

Other changes include restricting the number of bids for homes to three a week, because up to half of refusals are down to unsuitable bids; downgrading applicants who refuse three properties without good reason; and downgrading applicants in emergency and high bands who don’t bid for six months when suitable homes are available.

The majority of homes will still be let according to need, and the choice-based lettings system, based on priority bands, will continue with the number of bands increased to five.