Dundee’s director of housing Elaine Zwirlein told delegates that the city council had been awarded £100,000 over two years by the Scottish Executive as part of a national programme to set up CHRs.

She said the council and the various housing associations all have different application forms and waiting lists, which made it difficult for people to access social rented housing.

Establishing a CHR would simplify access and maximise choice for the public as well as making for a more efficient system.

Ms Zwirlein said a CHR was a simple idea but one that was very complex to achieve, involving as it did many different organisations working in partnership and having to make compromises.

Chief executive of the Hillcrest Group, John Mulloy, said it was difficult to oppose the concept of CHRs, which would help both the public and the housing associations.

He said what people currently had to go through in Dundee to get access to social rented housing was “ridiculous”.

Some of the most disadvantaged people in Dundee were being asked to travel all over the city to get application forms and then undergo a number of administrative practices just to get in the queue for housing.

“This is an anarchic and unacceptable situation in my view, and one which is also inefficient for landlords,” he said.

Although people in Dundee seemed to somehow make the present system work, Mr Mulloy described it as “rather chaotic”.

Insisting there was a compelling, common sense case for a CHR, he appealed for all the partners involved to show willingness to make it work.

Delegates to the conference were welcomed by Dundee’s housing convener, Councillor Helen Wright. She said it was good to see so many organisations taking part.

Mrs Wright said it was hoped a CHR for Dundee would be in operation by next year.

Among the other speakers at the conference were representatives from the Scottish Executive and Edinburgh City Council.