Local Councillor & MSP Welcome Streamlined Approach To Housing Applications

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson and Fraserburgh & District SNP councillor Brian Topping have welcomed work that is currently being done to create an online portal called "apply4homes" that will streamline the application process for housing in Aberdeenshire and Moray.

The service is being created by Aberdeenshire and Moray councils in partnership with six registered social landlords and will create a single application form that can be used to register interest with all involved landlords, the first system of its kind in Scotland.

Although the preferred application method will be online, users will still be able to apply by phone, in person or by post and will also benefit from a single application replacing a potential eight.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“Applying for council or social housing can be a difficult process for many people and is something that I receive a lot of contact from constituents about. Something that will simplify the process and reduce the amount of paperwork involved has to be good news, and I am sure that people across Banff & Buchan will join me in welcoming the progress that is being made towards delivering apply4homes.

“This is the first system of its kind in Scotland, but if it proves successful I am sure that it will not be the last. I am delighted that residents of Banff & Buchan will be amongst the first to benefit from the improvements that this system should bring."

Councillor Brian Topping added:

“Bringing application forms for council and social housing together into a single process is a simple idea, but one that could save a lot of time for a lot of people. I look forward to seeing it implemented in coming months.”