TENANTS who have been waiting the longest to be re-housed could be given higher priority under plans to change the way homes are allocated. Following a review of the Choice Based Lettings scheme last year in which it was criticised for its lack of tran

TENANTS who have been waiting the longest to be re-housed could be given higher priority under plans to change the way homes are allocated.

Following a review of the Choice Based Lettings scheme last year in which it was criticised for its "lack of transparency", the Town Hall is planning to change the way the 23,000 residents on the waiting list bid for a home.

And a proposed new lettings policy has been launched for public consultation to give residents the chance to have a say.

Housing bosses at Tower Hamlets council were discussing the plans with residents and housing associations this morning at Oxford House in Bethnal Green.

Housing councillor Marc Francis said: "We think a date order queue within each band is a fairer system for everyone and people will be able to better understand where they are on the waiting list and their chance of being housed."

The council is also proposing that a higher priority be given to parents and children living in overcrowded homes and residents be given the choice to be re-housed separately to their older children under a Sons and Daughters policy.

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