L&Q and MHO selected as HomeBuy agents

L&Q and MHO have successfully emerged from a rigorous selection process and competition to be chosen by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as HomeBuy Agents for London for the period 2009-11.

L&Q and MHO, working in partnership, have operated in the role as HomeBuy Agents since 2006 under the HousingOptions branding, delivering a 'one stop shop' for affordable housing. This means the five sub-regions or 'zones' in London are all delivered in partnership through a single brand, website and customer process by L&Q and MHO. The new contract will extend through to 2011. L&Q manage the South London boroughs while MHO manages North London.

The successful HousingOptions approach for the bid was based on adapting current well proven systems along side new developments and service enhancements which take into account the challenges created by the current housing market.

Richard Hill, Director of Investment and Renewal responsible for the National Affordable Housing Programme at the HCA, said: "This is a new national network of Local HomeBuy Agents which represents the very highest service levels and the best value for public money.

"HomeBuy continues to help thousands of people into homeownership, in an affordable and sustainable way, and continues to be an important stimulus in the market. I am pleased that consumers will continue to have a clear route to the best product available to them in their area."

Nic Bealey, L&Q Group Director of Strategy, Marketing & Sales, said "This is a fantastic achievement for L&Q. The HousingOptions HomeBuy Agency role is a core part of our service offer and we are delighted to have been successful against a strong field of bidding organisations.

"HousingOptions offers a seamless, uncomplicated route for customers in London looking to access home ownership opportunities. This is even more important in the current housing market, it has changed and so has our approach. We have a lot of innovate ideas to develop the HomeBuy Agency concept and are looking forward to the opportunity to take these forward."