A NEW way of renting social housing in York and North Yorkshire is to be introduced this week.

The North Yorkshire Home Choice scheme will allow anybody who is registered with it to express an interest in any council or housing association homes advertised as a way of allocating affordable housing.

Any resident aged 16 or over can apply to join the register at northyorkshirehomechoice.org.uk or by contacting their local housing office, and they will be placed in priority bands according to their level of need once they have registered.

Steve Waddington, assistant director for housing and public protection at City of York Council, said: “It is designed to offer greater flexibility for applicants, placing them at the centre of the decision-making process for allocation of homes. It will also help them seek housing in other parts of North Yorkshire.”

Available properties will be advertised weekly from July 7, with applicants being able to bid for a maximum of three.