Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.  

The report provides detail on housing need, supply and homelessness in the borough.  

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report. 

Officer contact: Andy Kippax | andy.kippax@stockport.gov.uk 

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing detail on housing need, supply and homelessness in the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         There was an acute shortage of affordable housing nationally. Increasing housing need linked to limited supply and escalating rents and property prices had led to more households facing housing insecurity and homelessness.

·         It was suggested that the report be circulated to all members of the council for a greater understanding of the context that the local authority was operating within.

·         In response to a question as to how the council were trying to free up larger accommodation for larger families, members were advised that sometimes cash incentives were used e.g., paying for removal expenses. Although the council were looking at options to accelerate downsizing incentives, this would only account for a small contribution of housing to a much bigger problem.

·         Members were advised that officers had been instructed to undertake a new housing needs assessment, with results expected late Spring 2024.

·         The team continuously reviewed where empty properties could be brought back into use.

·         It was suggested that an update on homelessness and housing need be a regular update to the Scrutiny Committee.

Thanks were expressed to the team for a comprehensive report and the ongoing work to prevent homelessness in the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.