Published on:
26
March 2014
A new service to help people searching for a home in Clackmannanshire was officially opened today by Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess MSP.
The Home@Clacks service, based in the Council's Kilncraigs office in Alloa can provide practical help to get people moving by finding out individual housing needs and providing a Personal Housing Plan.
The service was introduced with the support of a Scottish Government initiative which funded five regional hubs throughout Scotland to support Councils to deliver high quality housing options services and help prevent homelessness. Clackmannanshire Council worked with partner local authorities and made best use of this funding to introduce Home@Clacks.
Staff are on hand in the new facility to help with all housing options, including Council housing, local housing associations, and private rented accommodation.
Tenants of a social rented landlord whose current home is no longer suitable can get help to register on the Homeswapper website to swop their home with someone who also wants to move. This system will find possible matches for them.
Staff at Home@Clacks can also guide clients through the possibilities of home ownership, and point them in the direction of schemes that could make home ownership more affordable.
If someone is unfortunate enough to be asked to leave their current home and think they may become homeless, visiting the office as soon as possible will give them the best options for re-housing options. Housing staff may even be able help them continue to stay in their home.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: "It is my belief that everyone should live in a home that meets their needs. Through this innovative scheme, Clackmannanshire Council, with funding from the Scottish Government, is providing vital housing support to local residents, allowing them to find homes which meet their individual requirements."
Housing Convenor Les Sharp said: "I am delighted to welcome the Minister to this new facility, which gives the people of Clackmannanshire a practical way to get moving into a new house.
"Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to help anyone who wants to move or has a question about their options to get a house in the county, bringing together access to many projects and schemes under one roof. This great new facility has been developed by the Council with the support of the Scottish Government, and I am proud to have shown the Minister the impressive results of this funding which offers so much to the people of Clackmannanshire."