Housing Strategy

The Council's Housing Strategy is the main document which sets out how the Council and its partners deal with housing matters and meet the objectives set out in the District's Community Plan.

This document is currently being reviewed and a working group will be tasked with developing an updated document during 2010/11.

The revised document will take into account recent studies and findings of the Local Development Framework process, which is key to delivery of affordable housing. In addition, the housing stock condition survey will be completed during 2010/11 and this and the Strategic Housing Market Assessment will add a wider dimension to the housing perspective.

The Council has been consulting with the community and its wide-range of partners to better understand housing requirements, both at present and looking to the future. Any further comments and suggestions will be considered and where possible will be included in the final document.

The current Housing Strategy has been assessed by the Government Office for the South East as 'Fit for Purpose', the highest grade possible. Key objectives of this document remain in the meantime and are being worked towards.

The Housing Strategy in context
Strategy development
Housing need
Stock condition
Priorities for action
Useful contacts
Contacting the Housing Policy Officer

The Housing Strategy in context

The Housing Strategy is developed in relation to relevant national, regional and local policies and other related strategic documents. The main policies and strategies linked to the Housing Strategy are summarised as follows:

Housing Strategy

Strategy development

We place great importance on the involvement of residents in defining our housing priorities. Consultation methods include:

Housing Forum and Private Landlords Forum (the latter is now shared with Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge & Malling borough councils.)
Liaison with registered social landlords, developers, advice agencies, voluntary organisations and employers
Individual residents and other local organisations

Housing need

A Housing Needs Survey ( PDF File 823KB file details) was completed in 2006 and a Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) in 2008. New development in the Sevenoaks District

The findings of both of needs assessments will be included in the new strategy document. The SHMA indicates a continuing increase in the number of older people in the District.

Stock condition

A stock condition survey was undertaken in 2004. A new stock condition survey is being developed and will be completed during 2010/11. The following information will be updated then.

As at 2004

5.11% private sector stock unfit for habitation. The estimated cost of repairs needed for private sector stock was identified as £141 million up to 2007
Unfit dwellings are more prevalent in the private rented sector and when occupants are elderly, disabled or on low incomes
Inter-war dwellings have an increasing level of disrepair
Registered Social Landlord stock is in better condition due to significant investment since stock transfer in 1989
13% of all dwellings have a SAP (energy efficiency measure) of less than 30, and in the private rented sector 20% have a SAP rating less than 10
Mobile homes are generally in good condition but a minority are in very poor condition.

Priorities for action

The Council has carried out research into housing issues in the District and consulted with stakeholders when developing and prioritising the following aims:

To increase the supply of affordable housing in the District
To promote balanced and sustainable communities
To improve housing conditions
To address identified homelessness issues
To develop the Council's strategic role for housing
To encourage the development of sustainable rural areas
To contribute to the Council's crime reduction programme
Accreditation
Empty homes
HERO scheme

Action the Council is taking to address these priorities is detailed in the full Housing Strategy document.

For more information, please click on the following links for the current full version of the Housing Strategy ( PDF 517K file details) and the full version of its action plan ( PDF 418K file details). Please remember that the new and updated version will be available during 2010/11 and this web page will be updated accordingly.

Useful contacts

If you would like to contact us about one of the topics mentioned please call the Council on 01732 227000 or e-mail as follows:

Housing strategy and affordable housing development - housing@sevenoaks.gov.uk
Sustainable development - community.development@sevenoaks.gov.uk
Sevenoaks District Local Plan - policy.environment@sevenoaks.gov.uk
Community safety - sdc.community.safety@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Contacting the Housing Policy Officer

Write to:

Housing Policy Officer
Sevenoaks District Council
Community and Planning Services Department
PO Box 183
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1GN

Call 01732 227000

e-mail: housing.policy@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Sevenoaks District Council,
Council Offices,
Argyle Road,
Sevenoaks,
Kent
TN13 1HG

01732 227000