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Affordable housing plans shortlisted for an award
| Published: 2nd May 2012 06:52 |
South Gloucestershire Council has been shortlisted for an award for its plans to deliver affordable housing across the district.
The national UK Housing Awards are organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing and we have been shortlisted in the category of Strategic Local Authority of the Year. This award is given to a local authority which can demonstrate the key role it has played in shaping housing markets, responding to local housing need and preventing homelessness. It must also be able to provide evidence of great leadership, partnership working and demonstrate improved outcomes for the local community.
Our submission, entitled ‘GetSouthGlosBuilding', focuses on the long term provision of affordable housing. We have successfully secured over 1,450 affordable homes at key housing developments in Filton, Emersons Green and Harry Stoke by re-negotiating planning agreements with developers on large strategic sites which had stalled. Some of these homes are now completed and affordable homes are being offered to people with the greatest need. As a consequence, households in temporary accommodation have reduced to their lowest level in six years.
Cllr Matthew Riddle said: "With around 9,000 applicants in total on our housing register and more than 2,000 people requesting advice about homelessness over the last year, having a long term plan in place to increase the amount of affordable housing delivered remains a priority for this council. Since the economic downturn, the council has been proactively talking with developers about how to get South Glos building again on stalled sites, which has resulted in agreeing new affordable housing levels, while still maintaining our overall housing targets."
The awards were established in 1997 to recognise excellence across the social housing sector and the winners will be announced in June.
Bristol City Council is shortlisted in the same category and while this is for a different project it demonstrates the innovation and excellence which exists in the West of England when it comes to tackling housing provision. A full shortlist is available on the following link www.insidehousing.co.uk/ihstory.aspx?storyCode=6519414
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