A COUNCILLOR’S hunt for answers on local housing issues is set to pave the way for a raft of changes by a housing association.

Test Valley Borough councillor David Coole had contacted local housing associations requesting meetings “to discuss local residents’ concerns that those on low income or homeless were being discriminated against”.

The first of those meetings took place on Thursday, May 30, in which Cllr Coole discussed a number of similar housing issues with Aster’s head of housing Hampshire, Rebecca Outram.

Speaking the week after the meeting, Ms Outram said: “The meeting with Cllr David Coole was a very worthwhile and positive one.

“It was refreshing to see a real commitment from both sides to work in partnership on a number of issues to resolve them as quickly as possible and I was pleased to be able to clarify a few things during our conversation.”

During the meeting Cllr Coole raised concerns that Aster requires four weeks of rent in advance from prospective tenants, per adverts on the Hampshire Home Choice website, but his concerns were soon addressed.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Coole said: “Rebecca confirmed that Aster does not discriminate against anyone applying for housing and that Aster often goes beyond its legal duty to ensure people are housed appropriately and safely.”

He adds that during last week’s meeting, “Rebecca confirmed that Aster does accept tenants if they can’t afford to pay rent in advance”.

It was also agreed that the wording on Aster’s adverts on the Hampshire Home Choice website would be amended to reflect this, with the changes taking effect from June 10.

Other issues discussed on Thursday included the Andover Alliance’s manifesto promises and grass-cutting arrangements on Aster-owned sites.

Currently that responsibility is shared by Aster, Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, meaning different areas of grass are cut at different times – and different frequencies – throughout the year.

“Rebecca said that tenants are rightly fed up with this crazy bureaucracy,” Cllr Coole added, “and that both Aster and the residents would be ‘eternally grateful’ if this could be resolved.”

Cllr Coole has pledged to use his position within the council to “take on this task,” as well as agreeing to advocate the building of ‘social rent’ new builds on all new development sites.

He hopes to meet with further housing associations in the coming weeks.