The purpose of the report is to:

·         enable the Committee to understand housing demand at a very local (settlement) level across Central Bedfordshire;

·         review actions being taken to actively manage demand pressures; and

·         provide opportunity for OSC to develop policy in this area.

The Assistant Director Housing introduced a presentation that explained the detailed analysis to be used to develop a Housing Demand policy for the next five to ten years.  The analysis included those areas where residents wished to live and this information would dovetail into the Housing Enabling Strategy to be considered by Members.  With the need required predominantly in the south of Central Bedfordshire, the intelligence captured was fundamental to ensure the right housing and tenure was provided.

In response to a question as to whether the planning process would deliver the right homes, the Assistant Director advised this information would be set out in the Housing Enabling Strategy and the Development Company had an important role to play to deliver the homes. 

On the matter of affordability of housing, the Assistant Director advised that officers continued to collaborate with Housing Associations to deliver affordable homes.  The hope was the Development Company would also deliver properties for those residents that sat between ‘in social need’ and able to afford their own homes.

RECOMMENDED The Committee:-

1.    Welcomed the detailed analysis and noted the pressures on different types of accommodation needed for individuals, families and those of different ages as well as noting the different tenures available which needed to suit those seeking accommodation.

2.    Take account of the paper ‘Managing Housing Demand in Central Bedfordshire’ by the Assistant Director Housing and the report from the Tenant Scrutiny Panel on Homelessness and

3.    Makes suggestions for areas of research which the Central Bedfordshire Housing Development Company may need to consider and to agree the work streams for Members to join as appropriate.

·         Determine a view on house design to meet the different needs of our residents.

·         Advise on the mix of houses and tenures on new estates.

·         To recognise where there are backlogs of accommodation and bring forward plans how to alleviate such.

·         To take a view on balancing provision for the elderly and homes for first time buyers.

·         To take a view on the balance of homes offered on social and affordable rents.

·         To better understand the interaction between health issues and housing need.

·         To further understand the role of Housing Associations in delivering our housing need.

·         Where housing supply will come from in order to meet housing demand.