Partnership Launches New Housing Strategy For Teignbridge (9.3.10)
The provision of the right homes, in the right place, at the right price is the central theme of the new Teignbridge Housing Strategy.
The strategy, which is the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership's* long-term vision for local housing, launched this week and was complemented by the formation of a Housing Strategy Delivery Group which will be responsible for ensuring the ambitious targets in the Strategy are met.
The Teignbridge Housing Strategy has been developed by representatives of housing service providers (private landlords, advice agencies, housing associations) and local interest groups (Teignbridge Access Group, Teignbridge Association of Local Councils) as well as Teignbridge District Council and the county council.
Extensive consultation was carried out with local people during its development to ensure the right priorities were identified and that its objectives and action plans were sound.
Cllr Alan Connett, Chair of the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership said:
"Most people will never need help or support to find a home suited to their needs, or help to stay living independently in their home or help to keep it in good condition. But, for some, the role of the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership in supporting the delivery of the right homes, in the right place and at the right price is crucial in ensuring they are able to house themselves.
"For others the direct provision of rented and part-buy, part-rent housing, along with a safety net of advice and support, will enable them to live independently and contribute positively within their community.
"The Housing Strategy will shape the place we live and work and support the development and maintenance of sustainable local communities, both vital elements in making Teignbridge an even better place to live.
"By working together and adopting a strong partnership approach to implementing the strategy and monitoring progress we believe we will achieve our goals and that local people will notice the difference."
The main features of the Housing Strategy are:
- to ensure that the right homes are available in Teignbridge and that everyone can access a good quality home to suit their needs by making sure enough new homes of the right type and price are built where people need to live,
- helping private landlords and housing associations to respond to the need for rented housing,
- helping vulnerable home owners maintain the standard of their homes and retain their independence,
- ensuring private rented homes are well maintained.
The members of the Housing Strategy Delivery Group include members and officers of Teignbridge Strategic Partnership and Teignbridge District Council, the Devon Strategic Partnership, the Government Office for the South West, Devon County Council's social services, Devon NHS and Devon & Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
It will be chaired by the Teignbridge Strategic Partnership's Housing Lead Mike Hanrahan who is also Chief Executive of Teign Housing Association.
"This new strategy is an ambitious, inclusive and long-term vision for housing in Teignbridge," he said. "We need to continue working together with our partners and the wider community to tackle the housing challenges we face. The Delivery Group's task is to provide leadership and a strong strategic steer in shaping and driving forward our housing priorities. Setting up this group will guarantee we have the key organisations and people around the table. We will monitor performance against key targets and take prompt action to identify the reasons for under-performance and to tackle barriers to delivery."
The new strategy builds on the work of "A Housing Strategy for Teignbridge, 2005 and beyond". Achievements to date include:
- Development and implementation of a choice based letting scheme,
- 254 affordable homes delivered since April 2005 with a further 192 under development,
- Development of four units of supported housing and a multi agency advice centre for young people in Newton Abbot,
- Development of move-on accommodation in Teignbridge for victims of domestic violence,
- 10 affordable homes delivered in rural areas and supported the development of "Land in Hand", the local umbrella Community Land Trust,
- Supported housing provided for four young mothers from a previously empty home,
- 1,422 properties provided with insulation through the Warm for Winter and Cosy Devon energy efficiency schemes since February 2008,
- Exceeding the Government's target to reduce temporary accommodation by 50% by March 2010,
- 52 privately owned or rented properties brought up to the decent homes standard since 2007,
- A major study of housing need and supply (Strategic Housing Market Assessment) and house condition survey.
ENDS
