The strategy applies to all housing types in East Renfrewshire, including owner-occupied, private rented, and social housing. The council conducted extensive research and consultation to ensure that the strategy addresses the most pressing housing issues in the area.
The current pressures include homelessness, the condition and energy efficiency of homes and the needs of residents from a health and support perspective.
The council recently declared a local housing emergency due to the pressures facing the homelessness service. As part of its response, the strategy commits to delivering a minimum of 45 additional affordable homes per year over the next five years. The council aims to exceed this target and potentially deliver up to 65 affordable homes per year, subject to land and funding availability.
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The LHS themes cover:
• enough of the right homes to rent or buy, in the places where we need them;
• homes that meet a lifetime of needs, supporting residents to live independently;
• working together to deliver the advice and support people need, when they need it;
• good quality homes (and neighbourhoods); improving standards across East Renfrewshire; and
• East Renfrewshire's carbon footprint; making improvements to our homes and reducing energy usage.
Council Leader Owen O'Donnell, said: "I'm pleased that our new Local Housing Strategy for the next five years is now in place. The vision, priorities and plan for action reflects the views of our stakeholders on the key issues and how we should tackle these, and I commend our Housing Service for their efforts in finalising the strategy. Our recent local housing emergency declaration highlights the issues we're facing, but this strategy will play its part in responding to the crisis and we remain committed to championing housing matters for all East Renfrewshire residents."
