Local Housing Strategy
Strategic Housing
Priorities Questionnaire
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
LOCAL HOUSING STRATEGY
The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) is a statutory document that must be produced
every five years by councils in Scotland. Aberdeen City Council last published its
LHS in 2006 and Aberdeenshire in 20004 therefore needs to produce another to
cover the period from 2012 to 2017. The LHS will set out:
• the extent and type of housing need and demand in Aberdeen City and Shire;
• the Councils’ vision for housing across all tenures (i.e. owned, social rented,
private rented, etc);
• plans for improving the standard of housing in the city; and
• the strategic direction for housing investment.
Please note, the LHS is not about your house or your neighbourhood; it is about the
whole of Aberdeen City and Shire. Neither is it just about Council housing – e.g. the
Council’s procedures on allocations, repairs, rent collection or any other frontline
service - it is about all tenures and housing types. The intention is to have an LHS
that provides a strategic vision for the future of housing in Aberdeen City and Shire.
This section of the questionnaire forms part of the consultation with individuals and
groups. It is an integral part of the LHS process and gives you the opportunity to
have your say on the Council’s housing priorities for the next five years.
1. From the following list of possible housing priorities , please indicate the
extent to which you think each should be a low or high priority.
(Where 1 is a very low priority and 5 is a very high priority)
Very
Low
Priority
1
(a) Encourage population and economic growth in
the city by providing more housing
(b) Increase the supply of affordable housing, e.g.
more social rented housing and low cost home
ownership initiatives
(c) Encourage mixed housing developments– e.g.
houses and flats, different house sizes and
tenures
(d) Make improvements to the condition of social
rented housing to meet national standards
(e) Encourage homeowners to carry out essential
repairs to their properties
(f) Encourage landlords in the private rented sector
to carry out essential repairs to their properties
(g) Encourage the expansion of the private rented
sector
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
2
3
Very
High
Priority
4
5
(h)
(i) Ensure homeless people are adequately
housed
(j)
Provide support for people who are at risk of
becoming homeless
(k) Provide support to ensure that vulnerable
people are able to remain in their own homes
(l)
Ensure opportunities to regenerate our most
deprived communities are maximized
2. Is there anything we’ve missed? Please use this space to tell us about any
other housing issues you think should be addressed in the Local Housing
Strategy.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Local Housing Strategy (LHS)
The Big Housing Issues
What are the big housing issues for the next five years which should be taken
into consideration by the LHS.
Links between housing supply and:
o Economic development of the City
o Health/ well being
o Poverty
o Education
Affordability of housing
o Provision of more
o Funding availability
o Future housing need
o First time buyers
o Other forms of affordable housing, Low Cost Home Ownership,
mid- market rent, discounted homes
Housing support
o Forecasts show growing older population
o People with disabilities
o Homeless people to sustain their accommodation
o Young people
Housing advice and information
o To homeless people
o To young people
o To those in the private sector
Improvement to housing conditions
o Social rented sector
o Private owners
o Private rented sector
Energy efficiency and fuel poverty
o Social rented sector
o Private owners
o Private rented sector
Other housing issues
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Local Housing Strategy
Future Housing Issues
The recent Housing Need and Demand Assessment (June 2010, currently
being updated) highlights the following future housing issues and forms the
background for later discussion:
A shortage of affordable housing to meet current and future housing
needs
Increasing housing waiting list
Increase in homelessness applicants
Reduction in social rented relets
Reduction of vacant properties in the private sector
Of the cities in Scotland Aberdeen has the most expensive private
rented sector for certain types of housing
First time buyers finding it more difficult to access the housing market
o High deposits
o Lack of choice
o Tighter lending regime
o High private rented properties
Reform of the Housing Benefit system will have an impact on
o Social rented tenants
o Private rented tenants
Reform of welfare system will have an impact on many receiving
benefits
Cutbacks on affordable housing funding by the Scottish Government
(IIF)
Increased investment in the Oil and Gas industry over the next few
years
Low unemployment levels in the City
Increase in population forecast
Increase in the older population forecast
A growing need to provide housing for those with a disability
Decrease in the number of those of work age forecast
Small sized household forming forecast
Need to consider the accommodation needs of Gypsies/ Travellers
To increase provision of
o social rented housing
o Low cost home ownership
o Mid- market rent
o Developer discounted housing
o Development of the private rented sector
o Smaller sized accommodation
Hopefully the above will put our discussion into some context for the next
paper on the Big Housing Issues.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Local Housing Strategy 2006-2011 Outputs
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
Outcomes
Increased the availability of affordable housing
on an annual basis.
Number of affordable housing
units completed per annum.
Increasing to 350 housing units
completed per annum.
(1,750 new affordable houses
over 5 years.)
Concluded discussions with Communities
Scotland and RSL’s on land banking by
2007/08.
Protocols agreed by 2007/08, if
applicable.
To implement outcomes from
discussions in 2007/08
New affordable housing
completed over the period
453.
Affordable housing policy
changed in 2008 to 10%
Delays with Devanha
programme
This outcome has not
happened to any great extent.
SHIP 2010 proposals for
1,911 units most of the sites in
council or private ownership
Approved application for PAS.
Approval by the Council of the
PAS application by June 2007.
Approval of PAS application by
Minister by September 2007
Reduction in the number of long
term vacant properties in the
social rented housing sector.
By 2010/11, no more than 1% of
social rented stock to be empty
for more than 6 months.
PAS designated in 2007.
Annual numbers of RTB sales
has dropped since, may be
other factors than PAS
responsible
New legislation for RTB
introduced in 2010
Continued reduction of void
ACC properties over the
period, target achieved
Reduction in the number of long
term vacant properties in the
private housing sector.
No more than 3% of private
housing stock to be empty for
more than 6 months by 2010/11.
Target of 3% has been
achieved, New Vacant
Properties report by Summer
Approval of the Pressured Area Status
application by the Scottish Minister by
September 2007.
Improved and increased the effective use of the
housing stock across all tenures on an annual
basis.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
Concluded discussions with Communities
Scotland and RSLs on lead tenancies by
2007/08
Protocols agreed by 2007/08, if
applicable.
To implement outcomes from
discussions in 2007/08.
2011
Lead tenancies for RSLs 103
properties, little interest from
landlords/owners
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
Improved the understanding of the housing
needs of migrant workers by 2007/08.
Monitor housing applications
and provide statistical
information on the housing
needs of migrant workers.
Homelessness prevention
programme will be delivered to
all Secondary 4 pupils in all of
the Academies/Secondary
Schools within Aberdeen by the
‘Leaving Home and Housing
Education Project’.
Develop a housing application
form monitoring system in
2007/08.
Continue to monitor those on
the awaiting list and those
allocated properties, appears
to be proportionate.
2009/10 –
65 visits to schools carried out
by Aberdeen Cyrenians 1205 pupils attended
programme. Ongoing
Improved provision of information on housing
options of young people by 2008/09.
Assessment of usage of
website by 2008/09.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Programme
will
be
delivered to a minimum
of 2,000 pupils per
annum as agreed in
contract
To develop a web-site on
housing information for young
people by 2007/08.
To monitor usage by 2008/09.
Website not created because
of lack of funding
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
The average time in days from
presentation at the Homeless
Unit to Interview date.
Reduce the average time
between applicants presenting
at the Unit and being
interviewed to 3 days by
2007/08.
2009/10 slightly above target
of 3 days. New advice and
prevention team being set up
for March 2011.
The average time in days from
presentation at the Homeless
Unit to statutory decision.
Reduce the time between
presentation and statutory
decision to 25 days by 2008/09
(ACC target).
New target set in 2009/10 to
20 days, too early to know if
this is being achieved.
Meet the requirements to remove priority need
distinction by 2012 and meet the interim targets
set for 2008/09.
Increase in percentage of
statutory homeless households
in priority need.
2008/09- 87½%
Slightly below target set for
2008/9 at 85.3% in 2009/10.
Still confident to meeting 2012
Government target.
Completed and Implemented the outcomes of
Care and Repair Review by 2007/08.
To develop indicators and a
baseline once review has been
completed.
Number of people receiving
information and advice on
adaptations in the private
housing sector.
To complete this review by
2007/08.
Rolling SLA with Castlehill
HA to provide this service.
All people to receive information
and advice on adaptations in the
private housing sector when
requested.
2009/10
SoA published on Council’s
website at:
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.u
Reduced the time taken by homeless applicants
to access temporary and permanent
accommodation on an annual basis.
Provision of a Scheme of Assistance for people
with disabilities to assist with adaptations by
2007/08.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
2012/13- 100%
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
Number of people receiving
grants for adaptations in the
private housing sector and the
total value of the grants.
Monitor the number of people
receiving grants and the values
on an annual basis.
k/web/files/HousingAdvice/sch
eme_of_assistance_march20
10.pdf
Output from monitoring
unknown at this time.
Year on Year increase in
expenditure and number of
people receiving this service
Develop and begin to implement the Community
Care Housing Strategy.
To develop indicators and a
baseline once strategy has
been completed by 2007/08
Strategy to be completed by
August 2007.
To have completed the service review of the
Supporting People Service by 2007.
To develop indicators and a
baseline once review has been
completed by 2007/08.
Review to be completed by
2007.
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
Outcomes
To have assessed the accommodation needs of
Number of applicants for
housing from the ethnic minority
To monitor representation of the
ethnic minority community on
Continue to monitor those on
waiting list and allocations of
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Full review of Housing for
Varying Needs being carried
out to be completed by
2011/12
Review has been carried out
with some services now
transferred to Social Work.
Re- commissioning of some
services has been undertaken
the ethnic minority community by 2009.
(
community.
the Council’s waiting list.
houses.
No specific housing needs
identified in the HNDA.
Percentage of properties
allocated to applicants from the
ethnic minority community by
ACC and RSLs.
To monitor allocations to ensure
fair and balanced allocation of
housing to the ethnic minority
community.
See above
% Of sites occupied at Clinterty
Gypsy/ Travellers site.
Increase occupancy rates at the
Gypsy/
Traveller Site to 50 – 60%
occupancy rate by 2008/09,
Continue to monitor Clinterty
occupation rate, nearly 100%
now has waiting list
Provision of halting sites for
G/Ts in proposed Local
Development Plan
Gypsies/ Travellers Liaison
Officer – LHS Update Report
2007.
To ensure this post is filled by
April/May 2007.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Discussions ongoing to split
this post from Clinterty
managers post
Confirmation of appointment of
Housing Outreach Worker for
the Ethnic Minority Community
by November 2007.
Ensure funding for the Housing
Ethnic Minority Outreach
Worker post and that the
position is filled by November
2007.
Meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by
2015.
Annual overall SHQS pass and
fail rates.
Compliance with SHQS:
39% by March 2008
48% by March 2010
71% by March 2012
100% by March 2015.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 is
implemented by Aberdeen City Council as
guidance becomes available.
Number of private landlords
registered.
To approve all Landlord
Registration applications within
1 month of application by
2007/08.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 is
implemented by Aberdeen City Council as
guidance becomes available.
Number of landlords signed up
to the landlord accreditation
scheme.
Increase membership on an
annual basis. A percentage
level increase will need to be
put in here when this indicator
becomes more developed.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Council will not fund this post
from June 2011 onwards.
Funding to be used to train
own staff.
Council continue to make
progress to 2015 target.
Slightly exceeded 2010 target
of 48%
Continue to increase the
number of landlords
registered, just under 12,000
covering 13,500 properties
Only 23 landlords in 2009/10,
a bit disappointing.
.
The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 is
implemented by Aberdeen City Council as
guidance becomes available.
Number of licensed HMOs.
All HMOs to be licensed within
twelve months of application.
Incidences of dis-repair in the
private housing sector.
To reduce the percentage of
urgent disrepairs in the private
housing sector by 50% by 2015.
Number of tenement
management schemes in place.
To be developed once baseline
is in place.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
2009/10, 783 licenses in force
with a further 136 in process.
Figures are steady some
coming under license and
others leaving selling off
properties etc.
2009/10
Using the SHCS the figure for
dis repair of the total
properties in the private sector
is 67%
The total number of properties
in the private sector that have
urgent disrepairs is 23%.
No Local House condition
Survey to be undertaken, to
rely on SHCS
None, run pilot, could not fund
others still a real issue in
multi- tenure blocks of flats.
Reduction in household CO2
emissions.
To meet government guidelines
on household CO2 emissions or
the new HECA targets agreed
by ACC.
The number of households in
fuel poverty.
To meet the government’s aim
of eradicating fuel poverty by
2016 so far as reasonably
practicable.
This will now become part of
LHS. Guidance issued by
Scottish Government
Continued improved energy
efficiency figures over the
LHS period
Progress was being made to
lift people out of fuel poverty,
but recent fuel price increases
has pushed the figures up
again.
OUTCOMES
INDICATORS
TARGETS
OUTPUTS
Ensured the completion of Master Plans for the
six Community Regeneration Areas by 2007.
Completed. New indicators and
baselines need to be
developed, these will be
reported on in future LHS
Annual Update Reports.
Completion of the Masterplan for
the six priority regeneration
areas by February 2007.
Some Council housing new
build in regeneration areas
but little progress against
regeneration masterplan
aspirations.
Maintain the progress on reducing energy
consumption and increasing energy efficiency
on an annual basis.
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Implementation of the preferred housing options
in the six priority areas for regeneration by
2008/09.
SEA - Environmental Impacts
New indicators and baselines
need to be developed, These
will be reported on in future
LHS Annual Update Reports.
A number of EIAs, SWMPs,
DIAs and FRAs carried out
before development
commences
Appendix 18 Papers used at consultation events.doc
Update for LHS annual update
report in July 2007.
Liaise with development
management to monitor this
target
See above
To be developed