PEOPLE on Southend Council’s housing waiting list will have more choice over where they live following a radical shake-up of the housing register.

From Monday, families and individuals on the housing register, will be able to compete for empty properties when they become available.

The new scheme replaces the existing points-based system where those on the waiting list are awarded points based on their need and then matched to empty properties.

Instead, under the new “choice-based settings system” empty properties will be advertised, so applicants can show an interest in them online, by telephone, or through a member of the council’s housing staff.

Southend Council’s deputy executive councillor for adult social care, health and housing, Roger Hadley, says: “Choice-based lettings will help residents in many ways.

“Applicants can actively seek a home rather than waiting to be offered properties, and will have more choice over where they live.”

He admitted the new system will not produce more homes and the council would still struggle to meet demand for social housing.

However, he added the council had plans to build more homes and make better use of its empty properties.

The council will still give priority to those in greatest need, but will take waiting time into account.

Kylie Wiggett, 25, lives with her three young children in a two-bedroom property in Pantile Avenue, Southend, and has been on the waiting list for a bigger place for three years.

She said: “I think the new system sounds like a good idea.

“I have got a child at the school opposite our house so I wouldn’t want to move too far away and it would mean I could try for somewhere nearby. I think it should be a lot easier.”

Emma Smith, 24, lives in the Temple Court Flats, in Pantile Road, Southend, but is looking to move to another council property.

She said: “I think it’s better if you can bid, but it could make it harder if everyone does it and it could lead to arguments if people don’t get the houses they bid for.”

Properties will be advertised on www.southend-on-the-move. org.uk and via a dedicated phoneline, as well as at other locations across the borough.

The homes will be listed for a week, with all requests closing every Sunday night at 11.59pm.

Eligible people will then be shortlisted and the homes allocated on a basis of who is in the most need. Applicants will be given a registration number to use when bidding for properties they are interested in and will be limited to three bids per week.