More than 150 people attended West Somerset Council’s Housing Fair held at the new venue, the Beach Hotel in Minehead.
The event was judged a resounding success by the Conservative-led Council and its partners for the event – housing associations Magna West Somerset, the Rural Housing Project, Knightstone Housing and Hanover, West Somerset Advice Bureau, Somerset West Landlords and Tenants (SWeLT), Help to Buy South West and the YMCA.
The Beach Hotel proved the ideal venue for the one-stop shop for housing advice as it has taken on a new lease of life providing accommodation and training for local young people.
The Fair brought a wide range of exhibitors together under one roof to provide expert advice on a wide range of topics from renting, buying or even building a home.
Homefinder Somerset, for example, explained how people could register or update applications for social housing while a housing “Swap Shop” organised by Magna and Knightstone gave visitors a chance to learn about mutual exchanges as well as to find house swaps on the day.
People interested in house-swapping were asked to fill in forms detailing the size and location of their homes, where they wanted to go and how they could be contacted. More than 40 forms were filled in and the next stage is to follow up those enquiries and see if matches can be found.
Advice was also on hand on local skills and training opportunities in West Somerset and useful guidance provided on how to find advice on money issues.
Visitors provided feedback and this is now being analysed.
Conservative Councillor Keith Turner, who holds West Somerset Council’s Housing portfolio, drew the winner of a draw for £50 of vouchers – the lucky recipient is a private housing tenant from Williton.
Cllr Turner said: “This was our second Housing Fair and, again, was a real success. People were able to tap into the advice and help they needed.
“I would like to thank the Beach Hotel for providing such a great venue and all our partners for supporting the Fair and making it such a useful event for the many people who attended.”