The idea behind Common Housing Registers is self-evidently appealing and very simple.
There is a single form for all applicants in a particular area to complete and a single pool of applicants from which social housing partners can select prospective new tenants.
Within those broad principles, participating landlords are free to prioritise, select and re-house applicants according to their own unique allocations policy.
The Scottish Government has provided over £3.2 million (£686,000 through the Modernising Government Fund 2001-2002 and £2.6million through the CHR programme 2004-07) to local authorities to work with Registered Social Landlords in their area to establish Common Housing Registers.
The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Housing Best Value Network to deliver the Common Housing Register Support Service. This provides an advice service, training, regional forums, a dedicated website, newsletters and good practice publications on all aspects of Common Housing Registers.
Common Housing Registers are operational in eleven local authority areas. The Scottish Government is currently considering what additional support can be provided to help finalise and maintain the Common Housing Register framework throughout Scotland. Feedback from stakeholders will help inform this.