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What is the Sussex Homemove Scheme?

Hastings Borough Council operates a choice based lettings scheme called Sussex Homemove, which is used to advertise social housing vacancies in Hastings.

Home seekers are given choice with Homemove as they bid for vacant properties advertised in a free fortnightly magazine and online.  The scheme is also very flexible as home-seekers can bid online, using text messaging, on the phone or by post.

Applicants are put into one of four bands (A to D with A representing the highest priority) according to their housing need and properties are offered to the bidder with the highest housing need.

A copy of the Homemove Allocations Scheme is available to download from our Housing Advice page.

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How do I apply?

You can only apply using the online application form.  You can no longer apply using the blue paper housing register forms.

• Use this link to make an online application
• Use this link for the Homemove website where you can find available properties
• Use this link to return to an application you have already started

The form should take about an hour to complete and you will also need to provide certain original documentation in order for your application to be assessed.  You must provide the documentation in person to our offices at Aquila House or by post to the same address.  You can contact us by telephone on 01424 451100 or e-mail housingadvice@hastings.gov.uk.

Our offices are open from Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.

In order to complete the form you will need to make sure that you have personal information for all members of your household such as National Insurance numbers, dates of birth, pregnancy due date, and your address history for the last 5 years.  If you're unable to complete the form in one go, you can finish it later – you just need to note down the login and password details when you exit the screen.

Use this link to return to an application you have already started.

Once you have submitted your online application and original documentation your housing need will be assessed.  You will be sent a letter telling you what band you are in and how to start bidding for social housing.  If you do not hear from us within 15 working days you may not have provided us with all the relevant documentation and your application may not have been assessed.

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How does the Scheme work?

There are five steps to the Sussex Homemove Scheme:

1. Membership: you may be applying for the first time or be an existing social housing tenant wishing to transfer
2. Fill in the online application form
3. Choosing and bidding: see all the available properties in the area and bid for the ones you are interested in (maximum of 3 bids per cycle)
4. Offer: if you are at the top of our shortlist, we will contact you to view the property
5. Feedback: the details of how properties will be in future editions of the Homemove magazine

If there are a number of applicants from the same band bidding for a property, consideration will be given to those having a local connection and the length of time registered.

Properties will be advertised with details of the property size, whether there are any adaptations, whether it is ground floor accommodation or sheltered accommodation.  You can bid on any property unless the advert states otherwise.

You can find more information on the Sussex Homemove website.

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I don't have a computer at home, how can I apply online?

If you don't have a computer at home, or if you need help with the online application form, you can visit any of the following internet access points.  Most of them are free and available to everyone but may charge a small fee or only be available to people in certain age groups.

A complete list of internet access points is available to download from the Leaflets and supporting documents section.

Sussex Homemove Scheme internet access points:

AmicusHorizon

Kennedy Court
Stonehouse Drive
St Leonards TN38 9DH

• Open: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 1pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: AmicusHorizon tenants only
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 728123

AmicusHorizon

Chiltern Drive
45 to 51 Chiltern Drive
Hastings
TN34 3PY

• Open: Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9am to 1pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: AmicusHorizon tenants only
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 728123

AmicusHorizon

Queensbury House
Havelock Road
Hastings
TN34 1BP

• Open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
• Reception closed to visitors on the first Wednesday of every month from 1pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: AmicusHorizon tenants only
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 728123

Chapel Park Community Centre

Chapel Park Road
St Leonards
TN37 6HR

• Open: Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4.00pm
• Friday: 9.30am to 12.30pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes (no disabled toilet)
• Telephone: 01424 714095

Connexions/CRI

First Floor
Rothermere House
49 to 51 Cambridge Road
Hastings
TN34 1DT

• Open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Young people aged 16-19 (or up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties)
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 722045

Hastings Borough Council

Aquila House
Breeds Place
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 3UY

• Open: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Anyone wanting to apply for social housing online
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 451100

Hastings Library

Brassey Institute
13 Claremont
Hastings
TN34 1HE

• Open: Monday 9.30am to 6pm; Tuesday 9.30am to 6.30pm; Wednesday 9.30am to 1pm; Thursday 9.30am to 6.30pm; Friday 10.30am to 6.30pm; Saturday 9.30am to 5pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: Limited
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 0345 60 80 196

Hastings Trust

35 Robertson Street
The America Ground
Hastings
TN34 1HT

• Open: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm
• Internet: Charged at 2p per minute
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 446373

Hollington Library

96 Battle Road
St Leonards
TN37 7AG

• Open: Monday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Thursday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Friday 9.30am to 1pm; Saturday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: No
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 0345 60 80 196

Ore Library

Old London Road
Ore
Hastings
TN35 5BP

• Open: Tuesday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Wednesday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Friday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; Saturday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: No
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 0345 60 80 196

Seaview

Southwater Centre
Hatherley Road
St Leonards
TN37 6LB

• Open: Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm (closes at 2pm on Wednesdays)
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 717981

The Bridge Centre

361 Priory Road
Hastings
TN34 3NW

• Open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm
• Internet: Charged at 50p per half hour
• Available for: Everyone
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 433611

WRVS

Isabel Blackman Centre
South Street
St Leonards
TN37 6AP

• Open: Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm
• Available for: Everyone
• Internet: Free
• Support available: Limited
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 717674

XTRAX Young People's Centre

Havelock Road
Hastings
TN34 1BP

• Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 3pm to 10pm (drop-in)
• Monday to Friday Breakfast Club: 9.30am to 11am
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Young people aged 16 to 25
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 722524

Youth Development Service

Targeted Youth Support Hub
One-Stop Shop
Queens Apartments
Harold Place
Hastings
TN34 1JA

• Open: Monday 3pm to 5.30pm; Tuesday to Friday 3pm to 6pm; Saturday 2pm to 5pm
• Internet: Free
• Available for: Young people up to 25 years old
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: Yes
• Telephone: 01424 726400

Age UK

31a Priory Street
Hastings
TN34 1EA

• Open: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
• Internet: Customers cannot use the internet by themselves, but can access with a member of staff
• Available for: Older persons
• Support available: Yes
• Wheelchair accessible: No
• Telephone: 01424 426162

If you want to learn more about computers, you could be eligible for free courses through the BEST project.  BEST provides free courses, including computing, to people living in Hastings and St Leonards who are out of work or on a low income.  The BEST project is managed by Sussex Coast College Hastings in partnership with a range of community partners who are located across Hastings and St Leonards.  For more information on free courses in your community, please contact The Partnership Team at:
Gateway Office
39 Devonshire Road
Hastings
TN34 1NF
Telephone: 01424 723675/723676.

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How long will I have to wait for an allocation?

The waiting time for allocation of social housing varies in accordance with the type and availability of property.  The following table lists all the lettings during a fixed period between 2010 and 2011.

Lettings between 01 January 2011 and 31 December 2011

*A significant number of these applicants have been rehoused into accommodation reserved for people aged over 50 years.

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Where can I get help?

If you have any questions, contact our Homemove team.

You can also find more information on the Sussex Homemove website where properties will be advertised.

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Affordable rents and fixed-term tenancies

The Homemove magazine and Homemove website provide information to inform households registered on the Homemove scheme. This specifically includes information on affordable rented properties in the front section of the magazine. If you have any questions regarding the tenancy type or rent being charged please contact the landlord of the property.

What is an affordable rent?

Affordable rent is a rent that can be set by the Registered Provider at up to a maximum of 80% of the local market rent.

What are affordable rented homes?

Affordable rents will be charged on new homes developed with Government funding provided by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) from July 2011.

Registered providers in receipt of funding from the HCA will also be able to convert some existing social rented properties to affordable rent from September 2011. These properties can be let on either a lifetime tenancy or a fixed term tenancy of a minimum of five years.

What impact will this have for Sussex Homemove?

Affordable rented properties may be advertised at higher rents and on different tenancy terms than other properties – the impact of this will differ by local authority and Registered Provider. Registered providers are required to agree a tenure policy with the HCA that sets out their approach to offering fixed term tenancies.

Key principals

• All properties will be let through Homemove
• The advert will specify what type of tenancy is being offered
• The advert will specify what type of rent is being charged
• Applicants will be shortlisted for properties in the normal way, unless a local lettings plan applies

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