Homefinder

People from the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland have until June 30 2021 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, in order to maintain their rights to live and work in the UK. 

The Diversity Voice is offering free support in all languages to help people apply.

Please contact them at: euss@diversityvoice.org.uk or 0300 075 0105.

Jobcentre Plus in Somerset are introducing a Somerset jobs hour on twitter @JCPinSomerset , this will run every two weeks on a Thursday from 11am – 12noon, the first will be 6 August 2020.

During this hour employers from Somerset and North Somerset will be posting their vacancies using #somersetjobshour.

To find out about jobs and opportunities follow @JCPinSomerset on twitter. You then can either join us live between 11am and 12  noon 6 August 2020 or search the content later on @JCPinSomerset or using the #somersetjobshour hashtag 

The Homefinder Somerset website has been upgraded. The website now automatically resizes if it is being used on a smartphone or tablet. This means that it will be far easier for people to register or view and bid for homes. 

Due to the restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus there are likely to be:

• Fewer homes advertised on Homefinder Somerset in the next few weeks.

• Delays in landlords being able to let homes.

• Fewer council staff available to process applications and respond to queries.

To help during this difficult time, please:

• Ensure that your email address is up to date. Councils and landlords will be using email and web messages rather than sending letters

• Regularly login to your Homefinder Somerset account to check for messages

• Use the online application form wherever possible. Paper application forms are less likely to be processed at this time.
• Check the websites of partner councils and landlords for further details. Please see the links on the Partners page

Press release

New homes for Bridgwater

After years of uncertainty, residents of Bridgwater can finally see new homes being built on a site at Nokoto Drive.

Those involved in the project held an official ground-breaking event to mark the start of the project to deliver 18 new flats and houses which will be available to rent from next autumn.

Selina White, chief executive at Magna Housing, said:  “Our purpose is to help people meet their housing needs so we are really pleased that we will be letting all 18 homes at a rent which is less than people can expect to pay on the open market.  This is 16 more than the original planning consent two years ago where only two were due to be let at a reduced rent. 

“It is testament to the hard work of everyone involved that we can finally see these homes becoming a reality, so I would like to thank all our partners including Homes England, EDF Energy, Sedgemoor District Council and EG Carter who are building the new homes.”

Duncan Harvey, housing development manager at Sedgemoor District Council, said: “Providing affordable homes is one of the council’s top priorities, so seeing this development start on site is really good news.

“As a council we have a huge housing challenge trying to help the ever growing numbers of people seeking our help to simply find somewhere to live. Projects like this help us rise this challenge.

“These houses will form part of Sedgemoor’s housing programme which will help us to meet the ever increasing demand for housing locally.”

David Eccles, head of stakeholder engagement at HPC, said: “I have heard people say that the new site at Hinkley is causing problems for housing locally, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact we are a big part of the new house building programme for this area and have contributed £5 million to local councils to help them build new homes, including these at Stockmore Drive.” 

Phillip Barnes, associate director at EG Carter said: “We are pleased to be working with Magna Housing and other key partners to deliver these homes.  We have worked on a number of projects locally and are looking forward to adding these homes at Nokoto Drive to the list.

“We are proud of the quality of homes we deliver and look forward to seeing the first residents moving in next September.”