Harlow Council announce new quicker and easier housing application system is set to launch

Harlow Council / Fri 18th Oct 2024 at 01:36pm

A NEW online housing applications system, which will make applying to join Harlow Council’s Housing Needs Register quicker and easier, launches next month.

The new system is being introduced as part of the overhaul of the council’s Housing Allocations Policy, which was introduced in April 2024, to ensure that local homes go to local people in housing need. Since the changes came into effect, work has been taking place to get the new system ready for use from Monday 4 November 2024.

The introduction of the new system is part of the final phase of implementing the new allocations policy.

From 4 November, existing applicants will need to use this system to register their details in order to remain on the register. All applicants currently in bands 1-3 are being written to with details of how to do this. We have also written to those in band 4 notifying them that they are no longer on the register and inviting them to re-apply if they feel they still have a housing need under the new criteria. New applications can also be submitted using this new housing application system from the 4 November.

Once details have been registered the council’s Housing team will assess housing need based on the new policy. Applicants who remain on the register will not lose any waiting time, and can continue to bid on housing via Harlow Homefinder.

Councillor David Carter, cabinet portfolio holder for housing, said:

“The changes we made to the council’s Housing Allocations Policy were the biggest shakeup in a generation of how we allocate council housing in Harlow, and aim to ensure that local homes go to local people. This new online system is the final step of the process completed and will make it quicker and simpler to apply for council housing, and the new criteria ensures that those who are most in need have better access to council housing.

“One of our missions is to transform Harlow’s housing, and that includes the processes around securing a home as well as the homes themselves – we’re determined to deliver on this mission and to make the council’s housing system work better for our residents.”

11 Comments for Harlow Council announce new quicker and easier housing application system is set to launch:

David Forman

2024-10-18 13:46:34

Nice to see local government bureaucracy being made easier, quicker and more efficient. Using technology to improve processes is 21st century thinking. Unfortunately, the last Labour administration was steam powered in comparison.

Stuart J

2024-10-18 18:55:32

It may mean applicants can get onto the waiting list quicker, but it doesn’t mean that you will be allocated a property any faster. As the Council is still obliged to sell their properties under the right to buy scheme and replacement properties are not being replaced at nowhere near the same rate, therefore for most of the applicants it’s a lost cause, no matter how efficient the new application system is.

gary roberts

2024-10-19 10:17:56

This is just another process failing to deliver outcomes. I was lucky 42 years ago but even then having to wait 8 years to get a council home. Mr Halfon liked to talk a good game but has failed the housing needs of the young. MP Vince is another that talks but appears not to back it up with actions. And with an austerity mark 2 budget in late October the young will be stiffed again. Words are cheap today. Attlee didn't use or need to use many. Instead he acted and achieved in six years what no government since has matched. When will it change? I suspect not in my lifetime.

John Conyard

2024-10-19 11:07:14

My grandaughter had been on the council waiting list for seven years, climbing to the top, she was informed recently that she had been taken off of the list as her parents house where she lives is in the wrong banding. What a load of codswallop! How are our children and grandchildren of my family, meant to eventually get housed here in Harlow? My family has been in the area for four hundred years, that doesn’t seem to matter to to the council. I would guess this is a backhanded way of giving homes to outsiders and the boat people.

Lisa

2024-10-19 12:00:27

I think all social housing should be banned from right to buy. This would help hugely. Central Gov should also be imokwnting new builds as a matter of urgency, for Social housing ONLY. Just my personal opinion on the matter.

Freda Wyn Savill

2024-10-19 13:37:09

I applied to downsize from a big 3 bedroom i can no longer manage in May. Asked for proof of illness beginning of sept which was sent the same day and I still havent heard anything!!! I thought they would snap my hand off for a family home

MS PAULA LOWE

2024-10-19 14:35:49

Bloody joke !! Half of Harlow generations of covid, if they still live with there parents/parent . That have more than 2 bedrooms in their home. Are not intitled to even get on list and have to stay at home ? Also people that are struggling with arthritis, and syatica. that work full time . Are not intitled to a ground floor flat.. LIARS.. STOP GIVING AWAY PROPERTIES. For Yr pay rise and greed !!!

H s

2024-10-19 18:19:01

I've been in a bed sit for 5 years and now have a new born baby, I also have a massive bed bug infection from a neighbour who has bought them all to the block of flats and has been an issue for half a year. I also have black mould they have been out twice to treat but will not touch if its behind or on wallpaper. I also have a window with a massive hole in the brick work that lets in rain water all have been raised to them yet nothing ever gets done I've emailed my housing officer and the head of housing and Mr swords none have been sorted it's a joke yet the person who bought the bed bugs to us didn't even speak English drove around in a 71 plate Mercedes yet I'm the one who has to suffer and to make it worse the council have moved the single male out of his bedsit but left me 3 floors up with a baby no lift with bed bugs and damp!!!

Dina

2024-10-20 10:49:30

I'm leaving in council massionet where no lift to get to my flat. Was applied to exchange flat to house because now I'm struggling to get up to my flat of my athritis. The council put me on 4band with no progress over 2 years even sent a letter from my doctor. And the last think 2 weeks ago I got a letter that I was deleted from the list. What I can do in future if I would walk anymore? Jump with parachute down? And how I'll get up? Feeling so down and giving up. Ashamed of council where always had paid all rent payments and council taxes. Ashamed unfortunately!

Suzanne Brown

2026-01-23 12:58:31

I'm trying to transfer from a 4 bedroom to a 2 bedroom and have been on the transfer list since march 2024. My son sadly passed away in my current council house, and council put me in band 1. We then went over to the new bidding system in April 2025 and was told that we no longer qualify for a transfer because I have an overpayment housing debt of £600(which I've been paying off every month). We was told once that debt is cleared we can reapply. My son cleared that debt for me in November but still can't get back on the transfer list until the council allows me to.

Joyce Newcomb

2026-03-25 16:38:01

I would like to apply for a warden-assisted flat to buy or rent, with two bedrooms. I am 93 and struggling on my own in a 3-bedroom house. Joyce Newcomb