WC makes things more difficult for housing register applicants

Faced with large demand and small supply for social housing, Wiltshire Council is changing the way people apply to join its social housing register, in order to keep people off the register as much as possible.

The new approach aims to force people to look at other options. Applicants will have to discuss their housing problems with a housing officer, who may try to push them into the private rented sector or home ownership.

Previously people seeking social housing applied online at the Homes4Wiltshire website www.homes4wiltshire.co.uk could do so without a conversation with a housing officer.

Visitors to the Homes4Wiltshire website, who want to make a new online housing application, now see a message telling them to call and speak to a housing officer for advice. The initiative will ensure people who have a housing need under the council's Allocation Policy are supported to apply, and people without a housing need receive advice to make informed decisions.

People previously registered on the website will continue to be able to bid in the normal way and can continue to call 0300 456 0104 during office hours. New prospective housing applicants can call and speak to a housing officer on 0300 456 0106 between 0900 and 1700 hours. Where people are homeless, for out of hours the emergency number is 0300 456 0100.

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."