Decision details

To approve the Empty Homes Strategy.

·         The recommendation to approve the Empty Homes Strategy will ensure a full range of options are available to the Council in order to reduce the waste of valuable housing resource that empty properties represent.  Properties that are in the highest demand in the city will be targeted.  Intervention will range from proactive negotiation to taking over the management of the house through statutory action depending on the level of owner engagement and the nuisance the property represents.  Options for the Council to purchase properties will also be fully explored through the Council’s joint housing venture.

·         The introduction of Empty Homes Assistance and the private leasing scheme contributes to neighbourhood regeneration, the prevention of homelessness and increases the amount of available housing for Housing Needs to allocate to families in housing need.

·         Not having an Empty Homes Strategy – rejected.  This Strategy supports the overarching Peterborough Housing Strategy 2016 – 2021.  The Empty Homes Strategy contributes to the following priorities

To increase the supply of homes that people can afford

Improve housing conditions to support health and wellbeing 

·         Not refreshing the Policy – rejected. The refreshed Empty Homes Strategy introduces Empty Homes Assistance to act as an incentive to owners of empty property to take action on their property with the Council offering support and advice through that process.  In return the Council receive a property for a five year period in order to house families in housing need at a rent that is affordable to them.

None

Used to prepare this report, in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985) and The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012

• Housing Renewals Policy 2017 – 2019
• BRE Building Research Establishment Integrated Dwelling Level Housing Stock Modelling Report July 2016