Homesearch

In order to offer better customer service Homesearch officers will shortly be starting new drop in sessions across our main offices. Customers will be able to meet a member of the Homesearch team to collect forms, hand in paper work and ask any questions they may have around downsizing priority, medical needs, overcrowding etc.

From the week commencing 2nd April 2018 you will be able to meet a Homesearch adviser on the following days and times:

Wednesday          Bath One Stop Shop                          09:30 – 13:00

Thursday              Keynsham One Stop Shop                09:30 – 12:30

Due to the current refurbishment of the Hollies Office, Midsomer Norton we are not able to offer a drop in until work is completed. This is estimated to be from June at which point we will have an officer available each Tuesday morning 9:30 – 12:30, we will advertise this closer to the time.

 For more information please contact the team on (01225) 396118.

If you are working did you know that low cost home ownership may be a quicker way of meeting your housing needs? By just updating your Homesearch application and selecting the ‘option’ for low cost home ownership you will be able to receive information and updates about affordable home ownership opportunities in B&NES.

Shared ownership properties that are available for purchase will be advertised on the property search tab with details of the properties and contact information of the Housing Providers. We will also be able to contact you by email when low cost home ownership opportunities are being developed. There are shared ownership properties currently available at The Chill, Ensleigh - Bath, The Meadows - Keynsham, Factorys View – Keynsham, Linnet Way – Keynsham and  Knights Rise – Temple Cloud

We are holding an Affordable Homes Show on 12th April in the Keynsham Communtiy Space, Market Walk come along between 2:00pm – 7:00pm and talk to housing associations, independent mortgage and legal advisors for free.

It is your responsibility  to ensure your Homesearch application is up to date at all times. Failure to update your Homesearch account can lead to your bid being skipped for a property. Our policy states that:

"After close of bidding, an applicants circumstances will be reassessed ... this can include:

*The size of the applicants household matches the property advertised

*An applicant meets the letting criteria as set out in the advert

*An applicant has the appropriate priority under the Grouping structure

*An applicant meets the elegibility or qualification criteria

*An applicants effective date is correct

* The property is affordable

If an applicant does not meet these requirements or has failed to keep their application up to date, a Registered Housing Provider may remove their bid. If a bid is removed they will not be offered the tenancy"

This means if you are pregnant, have a new members of your household or members of family who have left your household you must update your application to prevent your bid being skipped due to incorrect bedroom need. If you are working either in paid employment  or unpaid voluntary employment you must record this on your application in the 'are you employed section'. If you have a rural connection you must ensure the correct areas box is ticked, and if you do not have a connection to an area please remove uneccesary ticks as your bid will be skipped if a connection cannot be proved (working in the area, living in the area, immediate family member living in the area ie; parent or adult child ONLY).

If your application is not up to date you could be wasting your bid. Housing providers will not accept applications being changed after the shortlist is closed. Please log in as soon as you are able and confirm all of your application is up to date.

As the county was hit by a wave of snow yesterday officers did what they could to provide a full service. Unfortunately some provision was affected as Officers struggled to travel, and the Homesearch drop in at Keynsham One Stop Shop had to be cancelled.

A number of officers made it to council offices to provide the Housing Options Drop in from Lewis House, Bath and a full telephone service was available for the day for both Homesearch and Housing Options. The adverts were all registered and bidding is available as normal today.

A reduced service is available today focusing on providing full telephone cover as conditions around the county are still hazardous for staff and customers. It is hoped that we will return to business as usual on Monday 5th March 2018.

Are you, or do you know someone who is struggling in their own home? Are they aged over 55yrs?

If so they could be eligible for sheltered housing through Homesearch. You can apply for sheltered housing no matter what your financial circumstances, and irrespective of whether you live in a home you own, privately rented accomodation or in social housing. So if you are struggling with your stairs, or can't manage the garden any more, or know someone who is please get in touch with us on 01225 396118.

Sheltered properties are for older or disabled applicants who have support needs but wish to live independently. Properties are typically one bedroom bungalows or flats and have wardens on site or an assistance alarm system.

If an applicant lives in a social housing property that is now to big for them, and are downsizing to a sheltered flat or bungalow you could also get extra priority for a quicker move in order that your current home can be offered to one of the many families on our waiting list. We can also do a home visit if you are unable to get to our offices to apply, or do not have access to a computor to apply online, just mention this during your call.