Shortage of social housing consultation for Weston people

Residents of North Somerset are being urged to get vocal, be heard and have their say about proposed changes to social housing.

The proposals put forward by North Somerset Council could free up more social housing for established local residents who need it most. 

This is consistent with the Government's Localism Act which aims to increase the supply of affordable homes across the country.

Currently there are more than 8,500 households on the waiting list but only around 650 properties are available to let every year. 

Around one in four of these properties are only suitable for older people meaning that families and single people face great competition to find a home.

The council wants to hear from you on the following proposals to: 

• increase the likelihood of local people in need, being allocated social housing in North Somerset; 
• support measures to reduce unemployment by prioritising those on low incomes;
• enable the council to manage the expectations of those seeking social housing, by excluding those people who should look to the private sector or have no realistic chance of being housed by the council;
• give greater priority to former members of the Armed Forces; 
• promote good housing management and build stable communities by giving the opportunity to households in need who are likely to maintain their tenancies and be good neighbours; and
• improve the operational efficiency of the HomeChoice service by reducing the amount of time that needs to be spent on managing the register.

Executive member for housing Elfan Ap Rees said:  "We need to be proactive to make sure that decent affordable homes are available in the social housing sector for those established North Somerset residents who most need them. 

"Our new homes targets will mean there is a greater supply and these proposals will give increased access to social housing for local people so they don't have to move away from their families and place of work to find accommodation.

"We want to hear from residents with their comments on these proposals to help address the challenges that we face here in North Somerset. 

"We will be listening to all feedback and the results will be used to help us develop this policy to ensure fair access to social housing."

The consultation will run until Wednesday, January 4, at 4pm.

To give your views click HERE.