Carmarthenshire conducts housing review
A major review of how people access council housing has been carried out in Carmarthenshire.
An in-depth study has been completed to look at ways of improving the lettings system, addressing local needs and providing a fairer service to people who need a home.
Housing chiefs say they 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.
A task and finish group has been set up by Carmarthenshire County Council to review the Access to Social Housing Policy and make suggestions for improvement.
Officers, councillors, housing association board members and staff from partner associations have been working together to review the current system.
The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “The main focus is for us to meet local housing need and support balanced communities.
“We want to provide the best possible housing service and deliver improvements for service users.
“The new policy will ensure that future access to social housing in the county will reflect statutory obligations and key local priorities.”
Consultation work has been carried out and a series of focus groups and roadshows will be held on the proposals over the coming months.
All feedback will be taken into account and the new policy is expected to be implemented by March next year.
The draft policy has been approved by the authority’s full council.
Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “A great deal of work has been carried out and I commend the efforts of everyone involved on this new policy.
“We are committed to delivering improvements to the lettings system and we will now be moving towards formal consultation.”
An in-depth study has been completed to look at ways of improving the lettings system, addressing local needs and providing a fairer service to people who need a home.
Housing chiefs say they 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.
A task and finish group has been set up by Carmarthenshire County Council to review the Access to Social Housing Policy and make suggestions for improvement.
Officers, councillors, housing association board members and staff from partner associations have been working together to review the current system.
The council’s Head of Housing Services Robin Staines said: “The main focus is for us to meet local housing need and support balanced communities.
“We want to provide the best possible housing service and deliver improvements for service users.
“The new policy will ensure that future access to social housing in the county will reflect statutory obligations and key local priorities.”
Consultation work has been carried out and a series of focus groups and roadshows will be held on the proposals over the coming months.
All feedback will be taken into account and the new policy is expected to be implemented by March next year.
The draft policy has been approved by the authority’s full council.
Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “A great deal of work has been carried out and I commend the efforts of everyone involved on this new policy.
“We are committed to delivering improvements to the lettings system and we will now be moving towards formal consultation.”
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