Housing Strategy 2008-2012
Purpose of Darlington's Housing Strategy 2008-12
The purpose of Darlington's Housing Strategy is to clearly outline the long term vision for housing in Darlington across all housing sectors. It examines housing market conditions and housing need across the Borough and provides a plan to address unmet housing need and non-decent housing ensuring quality and choice for our customers.
Darlington has retained its 5,500 local authority housing stock and continues to invest £8m each year to maintain and improve housing standards through its Annual Housing Investment Programme.
The Private Sector Housing Team, through the Housing Strategy and Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy, retain responsibility for maintaining property standards within the private sector, including the privately rented sector.
Darlington work together with its Tees Valley local authority partners and have a shared housing vision for the sub-region which is outlined in the Tees Valley Sub Regional Housing Strategy. It sets out the strategic priorities for the Tees Valley sub-region and forms the basis of any applications for funding.
Achievements of the 2008-12 Darlington Housing Strategy to date
- Adopted the Regional Financial Assistance Policy
- Delivered the Single Housing Investment Programme (SHIP 3)
- Implemented the Housing Growth Area policy
- Increased National Affordable Housing Programme (NHAP) funding into Darlington to increase the supply of affordable homes
- Completed and evaluated the Private Stock Condition Survey
- Implemented Choice Based Lettings
- Implemented recommendations of Supporting People review
- Completed the rebuilding of Linden Court in September 2009, completed the rebuilding of Dinsdale in October 2009 and commenced the building of Windsor Court
- Achieved the new National Customer Services Excellence Award
- Developed common specifications of work with Framework Partners and evaluated performance through joint Core Strategy meetings
- In partnership with Age concern, successfully sourced funding from Darlington PCT of £50,000 to appoint a Health and Energy Advisor
- Worked with partners in Adult and Children's Services to improve transition planning
- Reviewed and restructured Lifeline Services
- Secured Kickstart Round 2 funding from the Homes and Communities Agency to fund the development of Beaumont Hill
- Successfully secured Local Authority new build funding for 2009-11 for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA)
- Evaluated the Public Sector Stock Condition Survey and developed a forward capital programme
Future Aims of the Housing Strategy 2008-12
- Continue the improvements to sheltered housing by completing the rebuilding of Dinsdale Court, remodelling of Windsor Court, improvements to Branksome Hall Drive, improvements to Rockwell House and improvements to Ted Fletcher Court
- Complete the local authority new build programme by March 2011
- Implement the new Homelessness Strategy 2010-15
- Contribute towards the implementation of the Local Development Framework
- Contribute towards the Town Centre Fringe Masterplanning
- Complete a new Housing Needs Assessment in 2011-12
- Review the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document by 2011
- Review and evaluate the outcomes from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy pilot in 2011
- Implement the Asset Management Strategy by 2010
- Review the Affordable Warmth Strategy and assess the implications of the Tees Valley Climate Change Strategy
- Deliver comprehensive Infrastructure Plans to help with housing growth (such as: common strategy for Housing/Economy/RSS)
- Contribute towards the introduction of the Corporate Financial Inclusion Strategy
If you have any questions about Darlington's Housing Strategy 2008-12 please contact Housing Strategy on 01325 388304