News-New vision to address housing need in County Durham

Next week, our Cabinet will be asked to approve a revised draft of the County Durham Housing Strategy (CDHS).

The new CDHS will be an update of the current housing strategy, which was adopted in 2019.

It sets out a strategic plan for housing in County Durham up to 2035, centring on the vision to provide good quality properties that meet everyone's needs; are affordable for local people; and support the creation of great places to live.

Plan of action

Cllr James Rowlandson, our Cabinet member for resources, investment, and assets, said: "The wider economy has changed significantly since the current plan was adopted in 2019, with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and rising levels of homelessness requiring a new strategy and vision for housing in the county.

"This new strategy sets out seven principles, five key priorities, and a plan of action, outlining the housing issues faced within the county and a clear approach to address them. This will ensure we are well positioned to maximise future opportunities for funding support so that we can deliver on this vision.

"The strategy will also help deliver the ambitions of our Inclusive Economic Strategy, with housing being a major enabler to achieving economic growth and better social outcomes for communities."

Reflect housing need

Cabinet will hear that a 12-month delivery plan has been developed for the first year of the new CDHS being in place. The plan will also be reviewed annually to ensure its priorities reflect current housing need.

The 12-month action plan includes:

• Delivering the authority's programme to provide new build council houses to meet needs;
• Preparing a 'pipeline' of potential development sites for when funding opportunities become available;
• Reviewing our current allocations and lettings policy to ensure it meets the needs of customers;
• Delivering our Supported Housing Improvement Programme to ensure providers are fit for purpose;
• Preparing a temporary accommodation placement strategy to provide suitable accommodation for those in need and reduce costs;
• Preparing guidance on keeping houses free from damp and mould;
• Delivering our Disabled Facilities Grants to enable people to stay in their own homes;
• Developing and implementing a programme of targeted delivery plans to support housing regeneration; and
• Exploring ways to improve engagement with communities including students and tenants, in relation to how they access services among other things.

Amendments to strategy

The revised CDHS also includes two amendments, following feedback from full council in July.

Additional text has been added to the CDHS which provides context to the role of Houses of Mulitple Occupation (HMOs) within the housing market, the distribution of HMOs within the county and an overview of licencing and planning controls.

It also sets out that we will carry out a county-wide public engagement exercise to both inform the future review of the County Durham Plan and let residents know what actions are available to local authorities to manage the numbers of HMOs in specific locations.

Amendments to the CDHS also confirm that the 500 target for our council house delivery programme relates to 500 new build council houses. It confirms that if building council homes proves to be a viable proposition, it is likely that the programme will extend beyond 2029 and the number of new houses built will exceed 500.

Council approval

If approved by Cabinet, the CDHS will go to full council following which, if adopted, the authority will deliver the actions in the 12-month delivery plan and work with partners to develop a longer-term delivery plan.

Cabinet will hear more details when it meets on Wednesday 15 January.