Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Housing Services

Summary

To provide Executive with information on the delivery of affordable housing within the context of a recession, and to consider a way forward that maximises opportunities for increasing the number and range of affordable housing units available for our community.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

(1)       Note the current position on affordable housing policy, Corporate Plan targets and delivery.

(2)               To consider, in the context of the 2009/10 budget process, options for extending local initiatives to maintain affordable housing delivery.

Agreed

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report to provide the Executive with information on the delivery of affordable housing within the context of a recession, and propose a way forward that maximises opportunities for increasing the number and range of affordable housing units available for our community.  The Executive noted that the Council was still on track to meet its affordable housing targets for 2008/09. 

Resolved

(1)   That the current position on affordable housing policy, Corporate Plan targets and delivery be noted;

(2)   That, in the context of the 2009/10 budget process, options for extending local initiatives to maintain affordable housing delivery be noted.

Reasons - there is a clear commitment by the Council to deliver affordable housing in the District.  Any significant increase in local homelessness will result in considerable financial consequences for the Council. Recession seriously threatens the methods of providing new affordable housing (planning system related) used over recent years.  This is beginning to impact on Cherwell in the planning and delivery of affordable housing.  To mitigate against this position and risk, requires flexibility to research and test new ways of working.