Schemes for moving to a new home

What schemes are available?

In order to help people on the Hackney Homes transfer list find homes more quickly, there are several schemes to encourage people to move.

Is your home overcrowded?

The Choose and Move Scheme is aimed at helping over crowded tenants find more suitable accommodation in the private sector. The scheme offers the following benefits:

Payment of up to £6,000 to assist with a deposit, the first months rent and other expenses
A dedicated officer to help you find a suitable property and assist you every step of the way
A list of private landlords in all areas

To be eligible for the scheme you must you must:

Be on the Council'ss waiting/transfer list and resident in Hackney
Have been assessed by the Council as overcrowded and lacking at least two bedrooms
Placed in the priority band
Be interested in moving into a property suitable for your families needs in the private rented sector

For further information telephone 020 8356 5823/2976

Is your home too big?

The Cash Incentive Scheme offers cash to Hackney Council tenants who transfer to a council or housing association property that has fewer bedrooms than their current home. We give grants and assist with removal costs if you are rehoused.

Once accepted under the scheme, tenants are given high priority for a transfer by being placed in the “Urgent” band. They are able to bid for properties advertised each week under the Choice Based Lettings scheme.

For further information telephone 020 8356 5752/2978.

Are you looking for a home outside London?

The Fresh Start Scheme offers private renting and social housing opportunities out of London. To join the scheme you must be a Hackney resident and either:

On the Council’s register
Council or housing association tenant

Permission to join the scheme may be refused if you are in rent arrears or have a history of anti-social behaviour.

For further information telephone 020 8356 5751.

Do you want to live in the country or by the coast?

The Seaside and Country Homes Scheme (pdf) is open to council and registered social landlord tenants who live in London. All applicants must be at least 60 years of age and capable of independent living. The properties are located in coastal and country areas from Cornwall to Norfolk as well as in the Midlands and Lincolnshire.

For further information telephone 020 8356 5769

Are you interested in buying a home that is not the one you live in?

Homebuy was introduced in April 2006 to enable Council and Housing Association tenants, key workers, and other first time buyers who would otherwise be unable to purchase a home outright, to get a foot on the ladder of home ownership.

There are 3 main Homebuy products, each based upon equity sharing, to offer applicants’ choice in the homes they purchase. These are:-

Social Homebuy

This scheme will enable tenants of Local Authorities and Housing Associations to buy a share in their current home at a discount.

New Build Homebuy

This scheme will allow people to buy a percentage or share of a newly built property.

Open Market Homebuy

This scheme will provide an equity loan to enable people to buy a property on the open market.

For further information, please contact Lesley Precilla in the Housing Association and Partnerships Team on 0208 356 2760. To apply for any of these schemes please contact our Homebuy Agent, Metropolitan Home Ownership, who can be contacted on 0845 230 8099 or online at www.housingoptions.co.uk.