The conversation so far

This was to check against a proposed vision, seven principles and five priorities which had been developed and could be used to shape the new housing strategy.  They were based on local evidence of the county's housing needs, both now and in the future, and what our housing market looks like.

Your feedback

Our first housing conversation included:

• presentations to 13 Area Action Partnerships
• attendance at nine County Durham Partnership groups including the County Durham Together Partnership, the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Place, Health and Communities Board
• a workshop for all scrutiny councillors
• presentations to the County Durham Association of Local Councils
• a rural housing event, focussed on specific issues for rural housing
• online consultation events with members of the public
• a social media and communications campaign

The conversation was supported by three specialist surveys. We received back 368 residents' surveys, 357 children and young people (under the age of 25) surveys, and 15 industry surveys.

Main messages

A range of views came through the consultation and those detailed points have informed the development of the draft Housing Strategy. The main messages from the consultation can be summarised as follows:

• Overwhelming support for the vision, principles and priorities.
• Concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime is illustrated by 34% of respondents to the resident survey disagreeing that they thought that their area was safe.
• Support for the delivery of homes to meet needs, including homes for older people, families and affordable homes.
• The importance of adaptation of houses to meet changing needs over a lifetime illustrated by one in three respondents to the residents' survey stating that they did not think their home would meet their needs in the future.
• Energy efficiency improvements to the existing housing stock and high standards in new housing that both help the environment, and reduce bills, was seen as very important shown by 91% of respondents to the resident survey stating that they wanted to live in an energy efficient house in the future.
• Financial pressures were clearly expressed, for example 27% of respondents disagreed that they thought they would be able to afford to keep their home warm in the future.
• Concerns raised about the impact of concentrations of private rented properties, which can be associated with anti-social behaviour, empty homes and absent landlords.
• Support for regulation of landlords, including through selective licensing, but also an ask for more recognition of good landlords
• Local schemes to improve our towns and villages were recognised as an important future priority
• Whilst recognising that meeting the needs of all groups is important, the impact of student housing on mixed and balanced communities was raised by many respondents.
• Recognition of the rising issue of homelessness in the county expressed by 1 in 10 young people agreeing that they or their family was homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
• 48% of those with a disability disagreed that their home allowed them to live independently.
• The importance of bringing empty homes back into use, but also recognition that some properties are beyond their useful life and demolition may be appropriate.
• Agreement that good quality housing is a significant factor in supporting health and wellbeing outcomes.
• A recognition that new housing needs to be provided alongside sufficient infrastructure to accommodate the impact of the development including schools, doctors, parking etc

If you would like to see the full Housing Conversation Feedback Report, please Contact Consultation - the housing conversation.