By Knowle West Housing Special Group
Are you a local resident on HomeChoice Bristol looking to move within the Knowle West area?
Do you see new homes going up and wonder if you’ll ever have a real chance to live in one?
Local Lettings Policy for Knowle West – Prioritising local people for local homes
Local residents working with the Knowle West Alliance Housing group and Bristol City Council have co-designed a new policy that will give local people on the housing waiting list a better chance of finding a home in the Knowle West area.
Filwood ward councillors Cllr Durston and Cllr Logan said:
“This policy offers a real chance for local people to secure homes close to family and support networks. As local councillors, we know that a lack of decent, affordable homes is a huge issue in Filwood and we’ve heard, time and time again, from residents who feel left behind when new homes are built, so we’re really pleased to see this positive change. It’s been a privilege to work alongside the residents in the Knowle West Alliance Housing Group who were a key part of making this happen.”
The Knowle West Local Lettings Policy (LLP) is designed to make sure that more local people benefit from the new housing in their community and applies to all areas covered by the map
Under the policy, 50% of new social rent homes will be allocated to people on the HomeChoice waiting list who meet the local connection criteria, which includes:
- You currently live in the area
- You’ve previously lived in the area for at least two years
- You work in the area
- Your children attend a local primary school in Knowle West
- You provide care for someone living in Knowle West.
Ian Watt, local resident, representing the KWA Housing Special group said: “‘It’s great to see a policy forming to help local residents. It won’t solve everything, but should help give more local options, for those with a Knowle West connection who are on the council housing waiting list.”
This will be the third Local Lettings Policy introduced in Bristol, following successful schemes in Lockleaze and Lawrence Weston. In those areas, more local residents have been able to access new homes, strengthening community ties and creating more sustainable neighbourhoods.
Cllr Barry Parsons is the Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said:
“Creating safe and healthy neighbourhoods, with affordable, high-quality homes is one of the council’s key priorities. Alongside our efforts to build new affordable homes we’re also exploring ways in which we can ensure new social housing is made available for households in the communities in which they are built. This new policy provides a guarantee to residents of Knowle West that access to good quality and affordable housing is prioritised when new homes are built and can directly benefit from the regeneration of the area. I’m grateful to all those who have worked with officers to co-design this new policy and look forward to continue working with the community to increase access to much needed housing.”
The first development to be covered by this new policy will be the Curo development on Broadbury Road. It is on HomeChoice Bristol now. Other developments will follow.
Want to Know More?
Contact he************@*********ov.uk for more information.
Follow Knowle West Alliance on Facebook and keep an eye out for community drop events on the Local Lettings policy.
