CONSULTATION ON COUNCIL HOUSING

CONSULTATION ON COUNCIL HOUSING

SOCIAL networking sites are helping to shape a new vision for how council houses are let in Carmarthenshire.

Housing chiefs are changing the way that homes are allocated in the county.

They want to improve the current points system and make it fairer for people who need a home.

A major consultation programme has been carried out on how people access council housing in the county.

In a bid to reach as many people as possible, they have turned to sites like Facebook, and used digital television and text messages to gain people’s views.

Online surveys, focus groups and roadshows have also been held and consultation was carried out at a recent tenant’s fun day.

Carmarthenshire County Council is behind the move as part of a review into its Access to Social Housing Policy.

Officers want to develop a simpler allocation process, reduce anti-social behaviour and prevent homelessness.

They want to ensure that the county’s 9,200 homes and sheltered housing are appropriately let.

The aim is to combat problems including those faced by people wanting to move closer to a relative who needs care, and those who need a home adapted for disabilities.

The new policy will help to address issues where people need to move to smaller or larger homes.

It will also look at the allocation of sheltered housing for older people wanting to stay in their own homes.

Under the plans the existing points category will be simplified, and there will be more focus on local priorities.

The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “A review of how people access social housing has been carried out.

“We have completed wide ranging consultation on the new policy and have used a number of methods to reach our stakeholders.

“The feedback has been extremely positive.”

The policy will be finalised before being presented to the authority’s Executive Board and full council.

It is expected to be implemented by Spring next year.

Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “We are committed to delivering improvements to the system and this consultation has been carried out to ensure we gain as much feedback as possible.

“Everyone’s views and comments will be taken into account, and the new policy is expected to deliver improvements for service users.”