A SERIES of 'tweaks' to the way social housing is delivered throughout Sedgemoor have been proposed to help those 'most in need'.

It comes following a review of Homefinder Somerset, a local authority partnership which assesses bids for social housing using a gold, silver and bronze banding system.

If approved by Sedgemoor District Council's executive committee on Wednesday, applications to the Homefinder scheme would be treated differently in several ways.

Currently only people with “life threatening” medical conditions meet gold band criteria but under the new policy, this band would include all those with “serious” medical conditions.

Another change would end the entitlement to an extra bedroom for those applicants with children who do not live with them permanently.

The proposals have arisen from consultations, and comments from people involved with the system.

David Baxter, Sedgemoor District Council's strategic housing manager, said: “The tweaks will enhance the service for people with the most housing needs as it gives them more opportunities than those already adequately housed.

“We more than met our affordable housing targets in Sedgemoor last year but since the recession we are getting more and more people coming to us struggling with their mortgage payments or rent.

“These people are looking at their housing options; the numbers of those in need are rising but supply isn't keeping up.

“The changes won't help reduce the numbers but should help those with the greatest pressures.”