Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Summary

To provide Executive with an update on the Housing Strategy 2012-17 and Tenancy Strategy 2012-17

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)          To note the contents of the report and progress to date in delivering the Council’s Housing strategy and the Council’s Tenancy Strategy.

(2)          To receive a further update in 12 months’ time.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report and progress to date in delivering the Council’s Housing Strategy and the Council’s Tenancy Strategy be noted.

(2)          That officers be requested to submit a further update in twelve months’ time.

The Head of Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which provided an update on the Housing Strategy 2012-17 and Tenancy Strategy 2012-17.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Housing report on the work being done in the District by the council and partners to deliver affordable housing, housing related support and to prevent homelessness and improve housing standards.

Housing Services had enabled the delivery of 113 new affordable homes in 2012/13 by supporting Registered Provider’s (RP’s) and working with planners and developers and the Council’s ‘Build’ Programme had delivered 7 refurbished properties for single people.

The Lead Member for Housing explained that the Welfare Reform Act 2012 which had introduced major changes to the social welfare system would mean a fundamental change for housing organisations and for those receiving benefit. In terms of the social sector size criteria, which affected over 900 social tenancies in Cherwell, the Council had worked with Registered Providers to minimise the effects by changing the priority for downsizers in the Allocations Policy, by the use of Discretionary Housing Payments and through the development programme providing a greater number of one and two bedroom homes. Officers were working with Sanctuary Housing to monitor the impact.

Resolved

(1)          That the contents of the report and progress to date in delivering the Council’s Housing Strategy and the Council’s Tenancy Strategy be noted.

(2)          That officers be requested to submit a further update in twelve months’ time.

Reasons

The Council’s Housing Strategy contains six main priorities that the Council identified it would deliver over the period of the Strategy.

The Council’s Tenancy Strategy provides guidance for Registered Providers operating in the Cherwell area.

Options

None