Housing Forum 2009
Winchester Annual Housing Forum is organised by the City Council and WDSP and brings together a range of individuals and organisations interested and influential in the provision of housing and housing services across the District.
The 2009 Forum was held on Wednesday 25 November. The major focus was on provision of affordable housing and of services to more vulnerable members of the community, including; low income households; old people; and disabled people. The forum is not about overall housing numbers or big land allocations, these are actually planning issues.
At the Forum Margaret Newbigin (Chair of the Winchester Housing Board) and Cllr Tony Coates (PH for Housing) outlined the key achievements over the last year. Including:
- The launch of the Council’s new scheme (Choice Based Lettings) to let affordable properties (in partnership with Havant and East Hants DC)
- 67 new affordable homes in urban and rural areas. Inward investment £11m support
current and future schemes
- Development started at Waterlooville.
- Council land continues to be brought forward for affordable housing
- Launch of new handyperson and gardening service for older people
- Helping people leaving hospital return to their own homes
- Meeting the Decent Homes standard for City Council stock a year ahead of Govt targets
- Supported money advisor post for CAB in addition to specific City Council tenant advisor to help people facing having their homes respossed or eviction
- Dramatic reductions in the numbers in temporary accommodation
- Improving energy efficiency in Council and private homes
As well as a Key Note Speech on tackling fuel poverty by Simon Church representing the Governments Communities and Local Government department, there were a number of other debates hosted on issues as wide ranging as helping socially excluded groups access housing, the implications of the economic downturn on providing new housing, and community planning.
All the discussions will help inform the future of housing services across the district and help improve the housing conditions of 1000's of the areas people.
To download a copy of the presentations and workshop information from the day, click on the links on the right of this page.