Local Housing Strategy 2015-20 for the Vale of Glamorgan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vale of Glamorgan Council │Local Housing Strategy І Page 1 FOREWORD I am proud to present to you the new Local Housing Strategy 2015-20 for the Vale of Glamorgan. In the last few years’ changes to the welfare system, the lack of growth in wages, unemployment and the rising cost of living has made life harder for some people in the Vale. We have seen an increasing demand for housing, housing advice and support services as people seek help to find suitable homes, manage their finances and maintain their independence. Against a backdrop of a recession and cuts to public funding, our ability to deliver much needed new homes and keep up with the demand for services has presented many challenges. I am pleased to say the Vale of Glamorgan has embraced these challenges. Since the previous Strategy capital investment in housing has exceeded £117 million, the number of people becoming homeless has reduced and over 3000 homes have been brought up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. The Council and partners have developed strong, effective partnerships and worked together with stakeholders and residents to plan and develop solutions specifically for the Vale. Achieving the aims of the strategy won’t be an easy task. Continued strong strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement is vital to future success. Councillor Bronwen Brooks, Cabinet Member for Housing, Building Maintenance and Community Safety Vale of Glamorgan Council │Local Housing Strategy 2015-20 І Page 2 The Local Housing Strategy sets out the long term strategic vision for housing in the Vale. That; All residents in the Vale of Glamorgan have access to good quality, suitable housing and are able to live happily and independently in vibrant, sustainable communities. In developing the strategy we have drawn upon the views of key partners and residents to help shape and drive the priorities and make sure we are addressing the issues that matter most. Public spending cuts are going to have a significant impact on our ability to provide housing services. But we are ready to rise to the challenge and through this strategy we can make a real difference to people’s lives. In partnership, we can build more homes, drive up standards in the private-rented sector and make homes cheaper to run. We can stimulate the economy; create apprenticeships, training and employment opportunities for local people. Reduce homelessness and help people maintain their accommodation. In the Councils role as a landlord we will develop a programme of Council house building, the first time since the 1990’s. The Council and its partners recognise that we have to develop more innovative and flexible ways of working. The development of a Housing Solutions Service will enable all residents to access housing advice, not just at the point of crisis, but throughout their lives as their housing needs change. With determination, commitment, support from those we work with and the involvement of residents, together we will seek to make the vision of the strategy a reality. Hayley Selway, Head of Housing and Building Services, Vale of Glamorgan Council Vale of Glamorgan Council │Local Housing Strategy 2015-20 І Page 3 CONTENTS FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................................... 2 CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 4 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 5 CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................. 6 WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED ............................................................................................................. 19 LIVING IN THE VALE .......................................................................................................................... 23 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 27 AIM1 - MORE HOMES, MORE CHOICE ........................................................................................... 30 AIM 2 - IMPROVED HOMES AND COMMUNITIES ........................................................................ 52 AIM 3 - BETTER HOUSING ADVICE AND SUPPORT ....................................................................... 67 AIM 4 - EQUALITY OF ACCESS TO HOUSING AND HOUSING SERVICES ..................................... 84 CONSULTATION AND FEEDBACK .................................................................................................... 88 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ......................................................................................... 89 APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................................... 90 Note to the Reader: The Local Housing Strategy refers to the deposit Local Development plan for the Vale of Glamorgan. The status of the Deposit LDP will change during the period of this strategy. It is recommended that you refer to the most up-to-date version of the Deposit LDP and the current status of the document which can be found on the Council’s website under Planning . Vale of Glamorgan Council │Local Housing Strategy 2015-20 І Page 4 INTRODUCTION It is widely accepted that housing is more than simply bricks and mortar ; houses are homes, they are about the people that live in them and the communities that they are located within. Home is a vital part of people’s lives; it affects their health, well-being, quality of life and the opportunities available to them 1. Without a settled home people may have difficulties accessing employment, education, training and health services. A poor quality or unaffordable home can cause feelings of uncertainty and a lack of control, and have a detrimental impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing. The importance of a safe and secure home cannot be underestimated. Housing is also the bedrock of communities ; it drives the demand for local services, shops and facilities. People’s homes are the setting and focus for the delivery of many services, such as health and care services 1. A good quality, affordable and suitable home can be the catalyst a household needs to prosper; gain employment, ensure children have a settled education, have access to services and support networks. The contribution that housing makes towards supporting educational attainment, employment and skills, improving health and wellbeing and increasing life chances is key to achieving a wide range of cross-cutting strategic objectives. Access to housing is dependent on the housing market , the demand for and supply of housing in a defined area. Housing markets are complex and dynamic, the housing available at a local level is diverse and different micro housing markets exist side by side 2. The Council has a statutory role to play in the functioning of the housing market, for the purposes of the strategy, we would draw your attention to the following 2: S8 Housing Act 1985 - requiring local authorities to consider housing conditions/needs in their locality; S3 Housing Act 2004 - requiring local authorities to keep housing conditions in their area under review and to identify any action that may need to be taken by them; S87 Local Government Act 2003 - requiring local authorities to produce local housing strategies. The intention is for local authorities to play a lead role in developing an approach to housing across all tenures and ensure the delivery of more integrated housing and related services to meet local need. The strategic housing function incorporates an enabling role , with the local authority working in partnership with other public, private and third sector organisations to deliver suitable housing opportunities and to develop innovative solutions to address local housing needs. There are a range of policy tools available to the local authority and their partners to shape the local housing market which are central to the delivery of more sustainable local communities. Vale of Glamorgan Council │Local Housing Strategy 2015-20 І Page 5 CONTEXT LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE Local authorities have a legal duty to develop a Local Housing Strategy under section 87 of the Local Government Act 2003. The primary purpose of a Local Housing Strategy is to articulate a locally agreed direction for addressing the housing requirements, problems and opportunities of an area, taking into account national policies and priorities. The Local Housing Strategy should demonstrate evidence- based decision making; explaining how the aims and objectives are derived from local evidence bases. Local authorities lead on the strategic housing function and the planning and delivery of housing services, as enablers, commissioners and often as direct providers. The local authority is required to plan for improved housing and housing services across all tenures, with a wide range of partners to ensure that within the defined area there is a sustainable owner occupied sector, a well-managed private rented sector and good quality social housing sector that is managed efficiently and effectively. As well as the strategic housing responsibility, the local authority has additional statutory obligations which cover a number of housing functions,