Housing Strategy George Daley and John Pitcher ED&R Scrutiny Board 12 June 2012

Structure of Presentation Housing in Solihull Housing vision and housing stress Influences on the strategy Proposed Strategic objectives DeliveryResources

Housing in Solihull 87,000 households Home Ownership (78% of households) House prices – reduced by 8% since 2007 but high in regional context Average & Lower Quartile prices: - Average: £192k - Lower Quartile House Price, North Solihull: £84k - Lower Quartile House Price, South Solihull: £155k - Lower Quartile House Price, Rural: £180k Strong demand for ‘intermediate’ tenure that helps people get on housing ladder (e.g. part buy/part rent through SCH & housing associations)

Housing in Solihull Private Rented sector 2001: 5.2% of the housing stock; now estimated at 7% - Emergence of ‘professional landlords’ - Emergence of ‘professional landlords’ - ‘Accidental landlords’ - ‘Accidental landlords’ Council & Housing Association (Affordable Housing) 15% of households 79% is Council; 19 housing association landlords 65% of affordable housing is in North Solihull 70% of affordable housing is 1 or 2 bedroom; 50% are flats

Our Housing Vision Solihull’s housing markets meet local housing need Solihull residents live in well maintained, energy - efficient homes Solihull residents live in attractive, clean and safe environments All Solihull residents can access good quality housing services and housing advice Older and disabled people are able to live independently if they choose to do so Vulnerable people are supported in the community

Housing Stress struggling to set up a first home being threatened with homelessness (or worse, being homeless) being seriously short of space waiting a long time on the housing register experiencing serious problems of disrepair or being unable to afford to heat your home adequately living in an institutional setting when you could be living independently

The Housing Strategy Purpose: set out housing issues and problems – agree strategic objectives – influence investment decisions and service delivery – change outcomes Status: part of forthcoming integrated strategy (with local plan, econ development, transport, environment) Supporting Strategies / Policies: Homelessness Strategy, Empty Homes Strategy, Home Energy Efficiency Strategy Forthcoming Strategies / Policies: Independent Living and Extra Care Housing Strategy, Strategic Tenancy Policy, Allocations Policy

Influences Local Community Strategy Draft Local Plan Economic Development Strategy Putting Solihull People First National Laying the Foundations Localism Act various Gov’t guidance: housing, social care, environment

Strategic objectives More housing which meets local needs Fair and effective allocation of social housing Improve housing conditions and the quality of neighbourhoods, and promote energy efficiency More independent living options for older people and people with disabilities and other support needs Support vulnerable people in the community

More housing which meets identified local needs outcomesNet additional housing to include affordable housing and homes suitable for older and vulnerable people; a wider choice of homes howLocal Plan / SPD / development briefs and negotiations Investment by HCA, Council, RPs, private sector North Solihull regeneration Use of new forms of funding New partnerships? butConstrained public investment capacity Affordability problems in all sectors

Fair and effective allocation of social housing outcomesMeet as much of our priority housing need as possible Assist downsizing to free up family accommodation Assist mobility howReview of allocations policy – curtail access to housing register? basis of allocations wider than housing need? private lets for some homeless households? Tenancy Policy - flexible tenancies? Movement incentives butRising demand Lower churn, less relets Further stock loss?

Improve housing conditions and the quality of neighbourhoods, and promote energy efficiency outcomes Most homes are in use; less long –term empty homes Public stock retains Decent Homes standard Investment in outsides of homes, multi – storey accomm Private stock free of reported Cat 1 hazards Obsolete / inefficient accommodation remodelled Maximise energy efficiency / minimise fuel poverty how SCH asset management strategy and Delivery Plan Partnerships – private landlords, empty homes, providers Funding from utilities and the Green Deal but Quality issues in the private sector Questions on Green Deal Fuel Poverty largely dependent on fuel price and incomes

Independent living options for older people and people with disabilities and other support needs outcomes More people can live at home Less people going into residential care how Good quality, co-ordinated advice Low level, preventative assistance and reablement Longer term support where required, including telecare Wider choice of independent housing but Rising demand from Borough’s demographic Limited public resources Cost pressures on customers

Support vulnerable people in the community outcomes The most vulnerable people are identified and contacted, and help is provided where required who Rough sleepers Other people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness People suffering, or at risk of DV, other violence, harassment People in or at risk of fuel poverty Looked – after children and care leavers People with disabilities and mental health needs Isolated older people how Regular rough sleepers identified, contacted, assisted where required Assist those at most risk of fuel poverty incl. Winter Warmth Campaign Homelessness prevention service Immediate response to serious ASB, DV, other harassment Looked after children are supported Meet most pressing accom. needs of older and vulnerable people Partnerships with leading agencies, eg BSWA, St Basils

Delivery Council: Local Plan and its implementation, policy development, commissioning, Public Protection, Housing Benefit, Energy Efficiency, SCH client role SCH: housing management and maintenance, Solihull Home Options, homelessness, ASB service, Solihull Independent Living Registered Providers: new developments, relets, housing management and maintenance, support services Third Sector: advice services, support for vulnerable people

Resources Housing Capital Programme Self – financed HRA External funding (DCLG, energy) HCA programme New Homes Bonus Utilities, leading up to Green Deal Private Sector investment