Public Policy: Using Market-Based Approaches - Department for ...

Public Policy: Using Market-Based Approaches
Local innovation was ensured by setting out national objectives in bidding
documents and then allowing each local authority to propose the details of a
choice-based scheme that would achieve these objectives in their locality. An
example of different approaches taken by three local authorities is given in Table
10.4 below. One of them, Harborough, is an area comprising 92 villages whose
residents rarely move further than 2 miles from their existing location. Housing
officials in Harborough have found it unnecessary to spend resources on photos
of properties in adverts, as applicants are generally aware of the properties in
the area in which they would consider moving. The main vulnerable group in
Harborough has been those with literacy or health problems. This is in contrast
to Camden, where the ethnic minority population is significant and potentially
very vulnerable. Whereas Harborough provides information in English and
Braille only, Camden translates its information into five different languages.
Scheme design was therefore the product of ODPM’s bidding criteria and local
authorities’ views on how best to implement an allocation system using choice
for their area. Economists were not involved in either the development of
bidding criteria or the bids. However, economists are involved in the ODPM’s
ongoing longer-term evaluation of pilot schemes.
Table 10.4
Sample of scheme designs by locality
Source: Interviews as before.
Blackburn Camden Harborough
Assessment mechanism Two bands: general and Effective currency is Three bands: priority,
priority. Within bands, points awarded for a preference and potential.
currency is waiting time. weighted combination Within bands, currency
of housing need and is waiting time.
waiting time.
Channels used to Local press; website; Weekly local press; website; Adverts mailed to priority
advertise properties touch-screen kiosks in brochures; email lists; and preference members;
local offices. SMS text messages for all properties advertised
registered applicants. on website and in property
shop
Information provided Size and type of property; Photo, description, Location, size and type
in advert facilities; characteristics indicative ‘price’ in of property; facilities;
of preferred applicant terms of points. applicant requirements
e.g. number of children;
rent and council tax band.
Mechanisms to Educated organisations Bidding information Adverts on community
support the vulnerable working with vulnerable monitored and non-bidders buses and parking tickets
groups about CBL and contacted; housing officials to ensure information
enabled them to act as can act as advocates available to all; involved
advocates on their where needed; information health and social workers,
customers’ behalf and support available in who can act as advocates
5 different languages.
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