MORE people can find an affordable place to live in west Chester after a housing policy was changed to match what residents need.

Alterations were made following an unaccountable drop in the number of applications for social housing in the area.

The definition of housing need has now been widened to include people living with parents or friends who cannot afford private rents, people who need to move to be closer to work and people living in the private rental sector but struggling to pay the rent.

Jackie Hodgson, Weaver Vale Housing Trust's housing manager, said: "I am sure that many people think that social housing is just for the homeless or people who are unemployed.

"As a social landlord we are here to assist people in housing need but housing need is much more than just helping those people who are homeless or not in work.

"Housing need is about accessing a home that is affordable.

"Buying a home in Cheshire, or renting in the private sector, can be expensive and therefore beyond the reach of a lot of people who are in work and just want to set up their own home."

Residents wishing to apply for social housing have to register with Trust Homechoice, which is made up of Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Chester and District Housing Trust, the Plus Dane Group and Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC).

Earlier this year Weaver Vale Housing Trust noticed a drop in the number of bids for its properties and appealed to potential residents for feedback before a policy review was held by Trust Homechoice.

Jackie said: "We had a policy review and it threw up these difficulties.

"We agreed we needed to widen the definition of housing need because arguably beforehand it was too narrow and a lot of people were not eligible to register.

"We were having difficulty letting our properties and that has continued but we're hoping these policy changes will lead to an increase in demand."

For more information visit trusthomechoice.co.uk or call 01606 813497.