Agenda item

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The StratThe Strategic Housing Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which sets out the Council’s Housing Delivery Plan 2022 to 2027. It was noted that the Housing Delivery Plan would be an overarching document which set out priorities for housing and the actions being taken to secure improvements. It was explained that the proposed plan aimed to link the housing service more closely with corporate priorities, for example the Carbon Management Plan and the South Nottinghamshire Homelessness Strategy. It also aimed to focus clearly measurable targets as opposed to aspirational assertions.

The Strategic Housing Manager delivered a presentation to the Group which covered:

·       Background and Context

·       Purpose of Housing Delivery Plan

·       Priorities

·       Priority 1 – Affordability and Sustainable Housing

·       Priority 2 – Housing Quality and Environmental Sustainability

·       Priority 3 – Homelessness and Support

·       Conclusion

Following the presentation, members of the group asked questions regarding housing available for independent older residents who would like to downsize to bungalows in order for larger family homes to be released. The Strategic Housing Manager informed the Group that it was more challenging to deliver bungalows due to the increased land take and associated costs which may impact on site viability.  However, the provision of bungalows was important to support downsizing for older tenants who may be under-occupying family housing. Bungalows would also meet the needs of older and vulnerable people with disabilities who otherwise would have to rely on adaptations to their current accommodation which may only provide a temporary solution. Through successful affordable housing negotiations, a mix of affordable accommodation types, including bungalows were planned on the Council’s strategic sites. The Group asked for further information from the planning department regarding what controls they have over bungalows being turned into houses. It was also suggested that the colours in the pie chart at 2.5 be changed to better distinguish the number of bedrooms available.

It was explained that there was a higher need for social rented accommodation rather than affordable housing for sale such as shared ownership and therefore any opportunities to bring forward additional affordable housing would seek to prioritise social rented housing.

The Group also asked questions about the Council’s work to secure homes that have been empty for a long time. It was explained that whilst enforcement action and Empty Development Management Orders were options the Council could consider, in the first instance Officers would support owners to bring the properties back into use as a preferred approach. It was agreed that the Group would be provided with further information with a breakdown of the long-term empty homes in Rushcliffe and what action has been taken by the Council to bring them back into occupation.

Clarification was asked on the supply and demand for affordable housing. The Strategic Housing Manager advised that there were approximately 600 people on the housing register, the majority of which could not afford to purchase affordable housing for sale. It was explained that up to 40% of affordable housing delivered on new sites would be affordable housing for sale and not all sites achieved the policy compliant position due to viability, therefore the net need could not easily be achieved by having regard to the overall number of affordable units delivered. This would be further compounded by the introduction of First Homes, the new affordable housing discount market sale product, which should make up at least 25% of the affordable housing units built on any Section 106 site. Members were advised that this change in policy would likely reduce the overall number of social rented housing units delivered in the borough and impact on housing register waiting times.

The Group raised their concerns about homelessness within the Borough. The Strategic Housing Manager informed the Group that the annual Rough Sleepers Count in 2021, had identified four rough sleepers in Rushcliffe who were ‘bedded down’ and met the evidence-based criteria. The Group were informed that the Council had a number of landlord incentives to house homeless people in private rented accommodation including rent deposit guarantees, rent in advance and Golden Hello’ payments which resulted in a six-month assured shorthold tenancy. It was also noted that two successful bids to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as part of the Next Steps Accommodation Programme and the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme had provided thirteen units of supported accommodation for rough sleepers across south Nottinghamshire. In addition, a fourth successful countywide bid for Rough Sleeper Initiatives funding had provided homeless people with access to floating support services, health and wound care, a Community Psychiatric Nurse, substance and misuse services and landlord liaison officers to facilitate access to private rented accommodation. The Group were pleased to note that veterans were not disadvantaged in accessing the housing register due to local connection criteria and if they qualified for housing, they were given additional preference.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods be noted

b)    the planning department regarding what controls they have over bungalows being turned into houses

c)     the colours in the pie chart at 2.5 be changed to better distinguish the number of bedrooms available.

d)    the Group would be provided with further information with a breakdown of the long term empty homes in Rushcliffe and what action has been taken by the Council to bring them back into occupation.