New Council housing choice website is launched

ADVICE on a range housing options available to people in Carmarthenshire is now accessible at the click of a button.

A new Housing Options website has been launched by Carmarthenshire County Council, with financial assistance from the Welsh Government.

Although still in development, it allows people to log on and get information about a number of options open to people looking for housing, including council and housing association properties, homes available for rent in the private sector, affordable home schemes and sheltered housing schemes.

The website also details the demand for types of housing within each ward, providing applicants with a better understanding of where they are most likely to be re-housed in the shortest period of time.

It can be accessed online at home, libraries and internet cafes at www.carmarthenshirehousing.co.uk.

A number of ‘self-serve’ PC terminals are also being installed in the council’s Customer Service Centres in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford, as well as the civic offices in Llandeilo.

Housing options manager Chris Beer said: “This website allows people on the housing choice register to access information about the various options available to them, and allows them to see for themselves the level of demand for housing in particular areas of the county.

“It gives more control to people who are on the housing choice register, and also provides advice on a range of other housing options that may be suitable for them, such as affordable homes and mutual exchange.”

The launch of the website follows the recent introduction of a new Access to Social Housing policy, which was implemented in September following extensive consultation.

The new policy simplifies the points-based system and priorities households in the highest need.

Cllr Hugh Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “We understand that people want to be kept informed of developments when they are on our housing choice register, and this website allows them to access a wide range of information to help them make informed choices.

“The website provides support in addition to that offered by our housing options team, who are available to discuss individual cases in more depth.”