Agenda item

Liz Cook, Director of Housing to present the attached reports.

Liz Cook, Director of Housing provided an update around housing and health. The update included information on the Housing Strategy which has had a number of outcomes including focusing on delivering more good quality homes and a significant investment in existing homes. The Housing Strategy sets out how the Council aims to address health issues that are caused or exacerbated by poor quality, unsuitable housing. 

Liz Cook reported that there is a national housing crisis and that there is a focus on neighbourhood plans, the quality of existing homes and new housing in Bury. There are approximately 800 homes being developed in Bury, with approximately 400 of these being affordable, care specialised and focused homes.

Liz Cook advised of the Social Housing Regulations Bill, which sets clear standards of how housing will be regulated going forward, all registered providers will have to adhere to the regulatory standards. The Bill seeks to improve the quality of social housing by introducing a range of measure to protect and empower tenants and reduce health inequalities. In Bury, the vast majority of housing is private and therefore a focus around the private rented sector is important.  

A new homelessness strategy has been developed and housing for rough sleepers has been enhanced with a focus on prevention. It was reported that currently, there are approximately 300 new cases of homelessness per month and the number of rough sleepers has increased. The reasons for the increase is due to the cost of living crisis, migration pressures and private rented evictions.  

Included in the agenda pack was partnership information around tackling damp and mould, the document sets out how Bury Council and partners are taking steps to respond and react to mitigate against risks and the challenges and support required from partners to ensure early intervention and prevention. Liz Cook provided an update which included information on the damp and mould action plan, reporting provision and housing regulators.

In response to a member’s question around the housing on Willow Street and working in collaboration, Liz Cook explained that the service is trying to work with partners who are invested in Bury.

In response to a member question around green spaces or gardens in new homes for children to play, Liz Cook agreed that green spaces are important and explained that green spaces are dependant on the land volume and that green spaces can be taken into consideration. 

J Eastham highlighted the cost of private rented accommodation and the volume of empty properties and questioned if Bury is looking into community living programmes, in response Liz Cook explained that there is an empty homes strategy and that they have some resources to deliver different schemes but there is more work to be done around this and advised of a workshop taking place next month. Liz Cook reported that Bury is one of the most expensive places in Greater Manchester for housing along with a weak private rented sector and advised of new schemes working with private landlords.

A member highlighted the importance of universal services such as health visitors as they could report and signpost around damp through the Community Hub Model.

A member raised concerns with the affordability of heating which can lead to damp and mould and the challenges around this.

In response to a member’s question around communication to GPs around damp and mould, Will Blandamer explained that this can be done through the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams to ensure GP’s know how to signpost and listen to housing issues such and mould and damp.

It was agreed:

1.          To thank Liz Cook for the update and note the content of the reports.

2.          That the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams send communications to GPs around signposting someone who has damp, mould or housing issues. 

3.          To invite Liz Cook back to the Board in the future to provide a further update.