The Exeter Home Choice Scheme is now part of the Devon Home Choice Scheme which coordinates the allocation of affordable housing for all 10 Local Authorities in Devon

Since Summer of 2005, Exeter City Council and its partner housing associations have been operating Exeter Home Choice.

The scheme has now changed to Devon Home Choice as of the 3 February 2010. This will allow applicants the opportunity to move within the 10 local authorities in Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay. For more information please see Devon Home Choice

Exeter Home Choice and Devon Home Choice are  'Choice Based Lettings' schemes: Council or housing association homes which become vacant are advertised on the Internet, and applicants on the housing register can 'bid'  for properties they are interested in. Each property is allocated to the bidder in the greatest level of housing need. This replaced the more traditional waiting list system, where applicants had much less choice over the type and location of property they were offered.

Exeter Housing Register and Waiting Times

As of 23 June 2010 the breakdown of the Housing Register in Exeter was as follows,

In the last 12 months we were able to offer 467 properties to applicants on the register, using these figures the following are the average waiting times for someone just joining the High Housing Needs Band (B).

1 bed – 385 days

2 bed – 312 days

3 bed – 212 days

4 bed – 767 days

5 bed – 5840 days

Therefore unless you are assessed as having a high housing need it is unlikely that you will be successful with an allocation. It is important that you consider other housing options which maybe available to you if an allocation of social housing is unlikely.

If you think that your need for housing is more urgent than the waiting times above then please look at Homelessness - advice and support which gives more detailed advice on our Homelessness Prevention Service.

Other Housing Options

If you are a current Council or Housing Association Tenant you should look at Home Swapper , where other Council or Housing Association properties are advertised for a swap known as a mutual exchange.

If you are interested in Home Ownership there are a number of schemes to assist in making this more affordable. Please look at Southwest Homes

You may also want to consider renting privately to help meet your need you can find a list of lettings agencies here Letting agents in Devon. If you need help towards your rent costs then please look at Local Housing Allowance rates for more information  on seeking help with your rent.