Categories Of Services

Housing

Housing Services

Bedford Borough Council transferred its council housing to Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association (BPHA) in 1990, but has retained important strategic housing functions including enabling the provision of new affordable housing with Housing Association partners, the provision of housing advice, prevention of homelessness, dealing with empty homes and improving the condition of housing in the private sector.


The Council’s housing service cover three main areas; Housing Strategy, Housing Advice and Private Sector Housing including the provision of Disabled Facility Grants and Home Repair Assistance & Empty Homes Grants.


The Housing Service Plan 2007-09 sets out the priorities and targets for the Housing Services.  The Housing Service objectives are guided by the following six key corporate objectives contained in the Corporate Plan 2007-09 under the aim of 'Delivering Homes For All'.

  • Planning - Use the planning system to increase the provision of new homes.
  • Affordable Housing - Seek to ensure that sufficient affordable homes are provided.
  • Homelessness - Reduce homelessness, provide sound advice on Housing Options and reduce the number of empty homes.
  • Housing Stock - To maintain and improve the condition of the existing housing stock in the borough.
  • Energy Efficiency - Champion good design in terms of quality and energy efficiency.
  • Housing Benefits -  Manage the delivery of housing benefits to those in need.

    Housing Service Standards

    We aim to provide a prompt and accurate response to any enquiries from all customers/stakeholders both internal and external.  Workloads can vary at different days of the week and different times of the year and at very busy times response times can vary.  Whenever possible we aim to respond within one working day.  However as a minimum, we aim to meet the following service standards when a response is required:
  • Return of a telephone call within 2 working days
  • Reply to emails within 5 working days
  • Reply to letters within 10 working days

    We also aim to:

  • Determine all Disabled Facilities Grants applications within 6 months (statutory target)
  • Complete DFG payments within 12 months of application (statutory target)
  • Determine homelessness appeals (reviews) within 42 days
  • Register new housing applications within 14 days
  • Offer male or female Officer interviews if requested
  • Offer a private and confidential interview room if requested
  • Offer interviews by appointment to Housing Advise customers

    Housing Strategy

  • The Housing Strategy team aims to ensure the availability of sufficient, suitable and affordable good quality homes and to maximise the delivery of affordable housing.

    Housing Advice & Homelessness Prevention

    The Housing Advice team provides a free advice, support and information service on a comprehensive range of housing issues including homelessness prevention, bringing empty homes back into use, advice to landlords and tenants on a range of tenancy issues.

    Empty Homes

    Leaving your home empty costs money in terms of rent loss, insurance, depreciation, and council tax. Vandalism can add to the bill, as can damage caused by burst pipes. Renting out your home will earn you money, it is as simple as that. You will also be helping someone in Bedford who needs a home. For more information click on the empty homes link on the left.

    Private Sector Housing

    The Private Sector Housing team aims to increase the standards of private sector housing by providing advice and support for homeowners, including home repair assistance for vulnerable households on low incomes. We provide Disabled Facilities Grants to help people live independently in their own homes and Home Repair Assistance to help cover the cost of essential repairs and improve sub-standard housing.  The provision of Disabled Facilities Grants plays a key role in helping people with disabilities live independantly in their own homes.  Please click on the following link to find out how many people we helped in 2006/07.

    Housing Briefing ( NaN Kb ) - DOWNLOAD

    Affordable Rented Housing

    Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association(BPHA) is the main provider of affordable rented housing in the Borough and deals with all nominations to other Housing Associations on behalf of the Council through the Housing Register.Applications for affordable rented, shared ownership and sub-market sale housing should be make directly to BPHA.

    The housing services provided are summarised below, or to navigate this website click on any of the headings listed on the left. If there are any comments that you would like to make regarding the Housing Website, you may do so by emailing housingadvice@bedford.gov.uk. Your views and ideas that may improve the service we provide on this website are welcome.





    • SERVICES A-Z

    Homelessness
    Housing Grants
    Housing Advice
    Empty Homes


    RELATED PAGES

    Housing Development and Policy
    Empty Homes
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    Housing Advice
    Private Sector Landlords
    Choice Based Lettings
    Low Cost Homeownership
    PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING
    Homelessness
    Open and Derelict Properties
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