SCHEMES are being launched nationally and locally to help tackle housing problems in Dorset.

In Poole a new one-stop shop will help people who are looking for a home apply for social housing.

Dorset Home Choice brings together six local authorities and around 18 social housing landlords to provide information for residents to apply for affordable properties.

Meanwhile MPs in the south-west including Annette Brooke, member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, have joined forces to tackle the region’s housing crisis, caused by not enough new homes being built in the area.

The move is spearheaded by the South West Housing Initiative, a unique partnership of house builders, housing associations, housing and planning professions, employers and employees working together to tackle housing issues.

Dorset Home Choice, which was awarded £225,000 by central government to create a shared IT system, provides a single choice-based letting scheme and housing service, together with a common housing allocations policy.

Apart from Borough of Poole, the partnership includes Bournemouth Borough Council, North Dorset District, Purbeck District, West Dorset District and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Once an applicant has registered online and bids for a property, the application will be considered by the registered social landlords.

Allocations will be based on those with the highest need and a connection to the area.

• For more information or to get on the social housing register, visit the website at dorsethomechoice.org.