Housing Strategy 2009-2014 - South Derbyshire District Council

South Derbyshire District Council Housing Strategy 2009 – 2014
10 ACTION PLAN AND MONITORING OF THE STRATEGY
10.1 Action Plan – addressing the key issues
10.1.1 An action plan for this strategy has been developed to focus on delivering the
strategic housing objectives, see Appendix 2. With limited resources both in
terms of budgets/funds and staff resources this strategy recognises that it is not
possible to meet the ‘wish list’ of all of our partners and residents. Hence,
following consultation with our partners and taking into consideration the current
economic slowdown this strategy will focus on delivery two key issues of concern:-
1. Shortfall in affordable housing; 2.Sustaining a home. Linked to this will be the
need to continuously improve the quality and delivery of services and to maintain
an understanding of people’s housing needs.
10.1.2 Shortfall in affordable housing. The district Strategic Housing Market
Assessment identifies a shortfall of 396 affordable homes per year. The current
draft Regional Spatial Strategy recommends 600 new homes should be built each
year in South Derbyshire. This equates to approximately 65% of all new homes
being affordable. Taking into account such factors as development viability, the
need to balance communities, environmental factors, etc. it is highly unlikely that
the Council could deliver 396 new affordable homes per year. Therefore, action
planned in this strategy includes making better use of the existing supply both in
terms of bringing empty properties back into use, making housing markets work
more effectively and ensuring that intermediate housing is appropriately marketed
to those who have aspirations to buy rather then rent.
10.1.3 Sustaining a home. Whilst the full effect of the economic slowdown is not yet fully
understood the Council is seeing an increasing number of people seeking advice
who are concerned about losing their home. We also know with a growing ageing
population that more people wish to stay in their own home rather than move
to special supported accommodation. When the economy slows down people
on fixed incomes such as those on housing benefit, pensions, etc. potentially
find it increasingly more difficult to afford to maintain their homes. Therefore, we
need to consider action to help people reduce their outgoings whilst at the same
time maintain their property in good repair. Struggling to maintain a home can
affect people from all social groups, living in both the rented and owner-occupied
housing. At a time of economic slowdown it is important that we take action to
tackle this issue across all tenures and age groups.
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