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

Public Policy: Using Market-Based Approaches
Table 10.9
Comparison of CBL outcomes in different localities
Source: Interviews as before.
Overall Assessment
Blackburn Camden Harborough
Performance measures Void turnaround increased Re-let times have fallen Void turnaround
initially due to advertising by 22% initially deteriorated as
cycle; actual void rates properties that had been
have fallen from 12% to vacant a long time were
less than 2% let under CBL; refusal
rates have fallen.
Consumer satisfaction Numbers on housing Transfer rates have fallen 6 months after scheme
register increased from and participation in tenants’ introduced, 83% of
2000 to 6500; positive associations increased. customers surveyed
consumer survey results preferred the new
scheme to the old.
Consumer flexibility No evidence Approximately 20% of Some flexibility
properties are allocated to regarding facilities
households voluntarily and features; none
bidding below assessed regarding location.
needs in terms of number of
bedrooms; some showing
willingness to consider other
housing options as capacity
constraints have become
more transparent
Costs Project manager, IT set-up Significant advertising and IT Initial set-up costs
and marketing costs were set-up costs were incurred covered by £80k grant
met by £450k ODPM funding but efficiency savings from from Joseph Rowntree
and an additional £116k of shifting matching costs from foundation. Later
council resources. officials to users have also received £0.5m ODPM
been realised. funding.
Inequality Homeless identified as No apparent problems. No apparent problems.
main vulnerable group:
despite comprising 3% of
register, they secured 26%
of all lettings during
scheme
Segregation No official studies conducted. No evidence yet. Only 1% of population
Anecdotal evidence suggests non-white British:
decline in ethnic segregation. segregation by ethnic
No evidence of non-ethnic group not even potential
segregation. problem. No evidence of
non-ethnic segregation.
Overall, the performance of choice based lettings has been positive with little
evidence so far of increased inequality or housing segregation, two undesirable
outcomes which had been suggested as associated with the introduction of
choice. Although significant set-up costs were incurred and the on-going
running costs associated with advertising are substantial, there are likely to be
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