South Liverpool Homes (SLH) recently hosted two in person ‘Let’s Talk Facts: Who gets our homes?’ events in Speke and Garston, giving local residents the chance to have open, honest conversations about how our homes are allocated and to challenge common misconceptions.
The interactive sessions were designed to explain how the allocations process works, including average waiting times and why we are committed to building 780 new homes by 2032 to help meet local housing need.
Residents had the opportunity to speak directly with SLH Chief Executive Anna Bishop and members of our Lettings team, ask questions about their own circumstances and gain a clearer understanding of how long they are likely to wait for home.
More than 30 people came to the events, and it was good to see so many people get involved in constructive and respectful conversations about what is often an emotive subject for people who are waiting for a home.
One attendee said:
“I attended your event yesterday which was very informative, thank you. I spoke to a member of your team; she was very helpful and said she could speak to Housing Options regarding my case.”
Another added:
“I applied for a two-bedroom house in Garston in 2021. It’s good to come to something like this because you do get answers and it’s helped me understand how long I’m likely to wait.”
Anna Bishop, Chief Executive of South Liverpool Homes, said:
“There is a lot of misinformation in our communities about how decisions are made on who gets our homes. We’ve been addressing this through myth busting and FAQs on our website and social media, but it’s just as important that people feel listened to and have the chance to speak to us face to face.”
“These events allowed us to have honest conversations, explain the reality of the process and hear directly from people about their experiences. Attendees also told us where we can improve, such as being clearer about the language we use when explaining waiting lists and keeping people better informed throughout the process. That feedback is invaluable and something we’re taking forward.”
Bringing the process to life
To help make the allocations process easier to understand, the events also featured real life case studies of individuals and families who have recently been rehoused by SLH. These examples showed how personal circumstances, housing need and preferred locations can all affect how long someone may wait for a home.
You can read more about these case studies here
For more information about Who Gets Our Homes, tap here.