More advice to be offered to new social housing applicants in Wiltshire
The Council's making changes to its systems
People applying to join Wiltshire Council's social housing register are to be offered more advice, before they're able to start bidding for a home.
The authority's changing the process for signing up, 'so people can receive the right advice and support at the earliest stage'.
They also say the new system, where applicants speak to an adviser first, could mean some people with housing issues could resolve them without going onto the register at all.
The old system would see people seeking social housing applying online at the Homes4Wiltshire website www.homes4wiltshire.co.uk without a conversation with a housing officer.
From now on, those who want to make a new online housing application, will see a message asking them to call and speak to a housing officer for advice.
Where local people have a housing need but are not eligible for social housing, they will receive support and advice about other options including private lets and low cost home ownership. The change is aligned with the council business plan to ensure services meet local need.
Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“We’ve introduced these changes to improve the way the service works for everyone and provide a better service overall.
“Our council housing stock will always be available for those who have a clear need for this type of accommodation. There will be others where we will be able to offer them timely advice on other options so they can make informed decisions on the best way forward for them. We want to speak to people and give one to one advice.”
Anyone already registered for social housing in Wiltshire will continue to bid in the normal way.
New prospective housing applicants can call and speak to a housing officer on 0300 456 0106 between 9.00am and 5.00pm.