Registration

  • To set up your Gateway to Homechoice account, please click here. 

  • Once you have registered your details (and those of your household), you will be assigned a unique housing reference number and this will be your login reference. 

  • You will also need to select a memorable date, which will be your password to your account.

  • If you require advice or assistance to register, please contact one of the Gateway to Homechoice local authority partners.

Completing the online application form

Once you have set up your account, you will be directed to our online application form. You will need to complete all questions in full and truthfully.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked to choose which of our local authority partners should be responsible for your application.  In accordance with our policy, you should select a local authority based on the following criteria:

  • the local authority where you currently live;
  • if you do not live in any of the 7 local authority areas, you should choose the local authority where you hold a local connection (e.g. employment, close family connections);
  • if you do not live or have a local connection to any of the 7 local authority areas, you should choose the local authority where you would like to live*

*Applicants with no local connection to any of the local authorities are ‘demoted’ by one band compared to someone with the same housing issue from within the area.

Full details of qualification and local connection criteria for the Gateway can be found in section 4.4 of the Gateway Allocations Policy.

Before submitting your application, you will be asked to complete a confirmation and declaration section.  By answering "yes" to this section, you will be:

  1. Giving confirmation that the information you have provided is accurate and truthful.

  2. Giving your permission for the local authority responsible for your application, to obtain and share information with other organisations (such as other Government Departments, other local authorities and private sector organisations.  This is to ensure the information you have provided is accurate and is also in accordance with our responsibility to prevent or detect crime and protect public funds.    

If you require advice or assistance, please contact us or visit our accessibility page and how-to videos for further support:

https://www.gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk/Help/Accessibility and https://www.gatewaytohomechoice.org.uk/content/Ourhelpvideos

 Click here to return to the top of the page.

Assessment of your online application form

Once you have submitted your application form, the local authority you selected will be responsible for assessing your application in accordance with our Allocation Policy. 

The local authority will ask you to provide relevant evidence and verification documents. 

Once the local authority has fully assessed your application, they will write or email to tell you and tell you:

  • your housing application reference number;
  • details of how to use the Gateway to Homechoice scheme;
  • your priority band;
  • your effective date;
  • your bedroom entitlement.

For further information on how we prioritise applications, please click here.

Click here to return to the top of the page

Changes in circumstances

If your circumstances change, it is your responsibility to update your application.  Examples of changes in circumstances could include:

  • Moving home;
  • Changes to your household;
  • Birth of a child;
  • Changes in medical conditions.

You can update your application via your Gateway to Homechoice account.

  • All changes in circumstances will be assessed by the local authority responsible for your application and in accordance with our Allocation Policy.

  • Changes to circumstances could mean a change to your priority band and effective date.

  • Failure to update your application following a change in circumstance could mean your application is not accurate, contains false information and may have the wrong priority award/effective date. 

Click here to return to the top of the page 

Renewing your application

Each year, you will need to renew your housing application with the Gateway to ensure that all applications are accurate and valid.

You will be notified of the need to complete the renewal via your Gateway to Homechoice account.

You will need to complete the renewal in full and provide any updates to your circumstances.

You will have 28 days to complete a renewal.  If you fail to complete the renewal within 28 days, your application will be closed. Applications closed due to this reason can be re-opened if within 3 months of closure date. In this instance, please do not make a new application, please contact the relevant local authority to request your application be reactivated.

Click here to return to the top of the page.

For troubleshooting or further information, please see our FAQs​.