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Housing
Housing
Local Housing Strategy
Scottish Government has issued new guidance for local housing strategies. It sets out key changes to the format and detail of local housing strategies. It addresses:
- the prevention and alleviation of homelessness
- meeting housing support needs, fuel poverty and the new statutory requirements in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 on private sector house conditions
- the role of the private rented sector in meeting housing need and demand
- the challenge of climate change
The Local Housing Strategy is expected to be submitted mid 2011, in line with the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan Main Issues report.
In the meantime Strategic Outcome Statements are being prepared on Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Scottish Housing Quality Standard, Private Sector Housing, Housing for those with a Particular Need, Gypsy / Travellers, Regeneration and Fuel Poverty.
Housing Needs and Demand Assessment
The Scottish government issued guidance on housing need and demand assessment. It sets out the framework that local authorities should follow to develop a good understanding of how housing markets operate.
This housing needs and demand assessment will influence affordable housing policies and the allocation of suitable available land. The assessment will also help the local housing strategy to identify what we need to do to meet our housing need and demand requirements, now and in the future. It will help us to work out the best way of delivering the strategic outcomes.
The housing needs and demand assessment will be reviewed every five years, along with the local housing strategy and local development plan.
The Aberdeen City and Shire Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) was updated in March 2011 and was appraised to be "robust and credible" by the Scottish Government's Centre of Housing Market Analysis in June 2011.
This replaces the previous Housing Need and Demand Assessment 2010. Further information is available on the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Planning Authority website.
Scottish Housing Quality Standard Delivery Plan
The Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) is a national standard which decides what is
acceptable, modern and good quality housing.
To meet the standard a house must be:
- meet the Tolerable Standard (a very basic standard of acceptability)
- free from serious disrepair
- energy efficient
- fitted with modern facilities and services
- healthy, safe and secure
Local authorities and registered social landlords need to produce standard delivery plans to show how their stock will meet the standard by 2015.
Housing Allocation Policy
The housing Allocations policy governs the way the applicants for council housing are assessed and prioritised in terms of their housing need and how houses are allocated. Housing need is assessed to determine placing on the waiting list using a points system. Points are awarded for different factors relevant to the applicant’s circumstances.
Regeneration Strategic Outcome Statement and Action Plan
We are preparing a strategic outcome statement and action plan which will show how we aim to address areas that have been identified as regeneration areas. The statement and action plan will be published here when available.
For more information please contact our Strategic Development Officer (private sector) on 01224 748990.
Private Housing
Our Private Sector Housing strategic outcome statement and action plan details how we aim to improve the quality of private sector housing. Private sector housing includes owner occupiers and the private rented sector.
The private sector housing strategic outcome statement aims to improve the quality of private sector housing by 350 properties per year to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.
- Private sector housing strategic outcome statement (pdf 86.3kb)
- Private sector housing strategic action plan (pdf 68.1kb)
We have produced a statement of assistance for private homeowners and tenants of private sector landlords. Section 72 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 requires all local authorities to produce a statement of assistance for private homeowners and tenants. It sets out the circumstances in which we will provide information, advice, and practical support and, in some circumstances, financial assistance to private homeowners to help them repair, maintain, improve or adapt their homes.
For more information please contact our Strategic Development Officer (private sector) on 01224 748990.
Housing Options
Affordable Housing Strategic Outcome Statement
We are committed to the provision of quality affordable housing to meet a wide range of needs. Work is currently in progress to produce an Affordable Housing strategic outcome statement and action plan. These will detail the actions necessary to increase the supply of affordable housing across all tenures to reduce the number of households in housing need and sustain existing communities.
- Affordable housing strategic outcome statement (pdf 70.7kb)
- Affordable housing strategic action plan (pdf 67.0kb)
Housing for Particular Needs Strategic Outcome Statement
The Particular Needs outcome statement details how we aim to make sure people with an identified particular need, such as older people or those with a disability, have improved access to appropriate affordable housing in Aberdeenshire and support to live as independently as possible.
Energy Efficiency
Fuel Poverty Strategic Outcome Statement
The Fuel Poverty strategic outcome statement and action plan aim to eradicate fuel poverty for all properties, as far as is reasonably practicable, by 2016. Fuel poverty will be decreased by 5% each year across all tenures. This strategic outcome statement demonstrates our commitment to eradicating fuel poverty.
Energy Efficiency Commitment
The Aberdeenshire Energy Efficiency Commitment was developed as a point of reference and a basis for improving energy efficiency of our housing stock. This document demonstrates our commitment to improve energy efficiency of our housing stock and increase awareness of these issues, so far as practical, by 2015 and beyond.
Neighbourhood Issues
Estate Management Policy Statement
The aim of our Estate Management policy is to provide all tenants with an attractive, clean and safe environment in which to live and so help to sustain communities.
Eviction (Conduct Grounds) Policy Statement
This policy details our aims and objectives for tenants whose conduct breaches the conditions of tenancy under the Scottish secure tenancy section 3 - respect for others.
Repairs and Maintenance
Stock Management Policy Statement
The aim of our Stock Management policy is to make sure our good quality housing is maintained, modernised and adapted as people’s needs change.
Home Loss and Decant Report
The Home Loss and Decant report details the arrangements for tenants who have to move because of improvement, redevelopment or demolition of their home.
Repairs Policy Statement
The aim of our Repairs policy is to provide an efficient and effective, user focused, responsive repairs service, which complies with legislation and meets the expectations of our tenants.
Lifetime Maintenance Policy Statement
The aim of our Lifetime Maintenance policy is to provide acceptable, modern and good quality housing.
Mixed Tenure Flats - Factoring Policy Statement
The aim of our Factoring policy is to make sure all our properties and privately owned properties in mixed tenure blocks of flats are well maintained and repaired.
Equipment and Adaptations Policy
The aim of our Equipment and Adaptations policy is to allow tenants and their families to continue living in their homes safely, and as independently as possible, where we are not able to provide suitable alternative accommodation to meet their needs.
Tenancy Agreement
Tenancies Policy Statement
The aim of our Tenancies policy is to maximise tenants' rights for all lets.
Tenancies policy statement (pdf 24kb)
Tenant Participation
Housing Feasibility Study
The Housing Feasibility study was a study of tenants and community organisations. The study looked at:
- the condition of the houses
- financial issues
- housing and strategic policy objectives
- tenant and other stakeholder views
An action plan - called Retention Plus - was developed based on the results of the study, allowing us to keep ownership of the housing stock.
Tenant Participation Strategy
The aim of our Tenant Participation strategy is to make sure all our tenants have the opportunity to be involved in decision making processes and to influence decisions that affect their homes. Tenants have the opportunity to take an active part in the development of high quality housing services in Aberdeenshire.
Tenant Participation Policy
We seek to involve our tenants in the monitoring and development of our housing services. Our Tenant Participation policy aims to make sure tenants play their part in decision making processes and have the opportunity to influence decisions about:
- housing policies
- housing conditions
- the standard of housing and related services.
Gypsy / Travellers
Gypsy / Traveller Strategic Outcome Statement
The Scottish Government considers Gypsies / Travellers as an ethnic group and that their needs should be taken into consideration by local authorities.
We are committed to promoting equality and we recognise and accept the Gypsy / Travellers’ right to a nomadic way of life. Our Gypsy / Traveller strategic outcome statement and action plan details the actions necessary to meet the needs of Gypsies / Travellers in the Aberdeenshire.
For more information please contact our Strategic Development Officer (social inclusion) on 01224 748992.
Homelessness
Temporary Accomodation Strategy
There has been an increase in demand for temporary accommodation in Aberdeenshire over recent years. Our Temporary Accommodation strategy has been prepared to allow us to work with partners to increase the supply of temporary accommodation in Aberdeenshire. Our strategy aims to:
- minimise the use of bed and breakfast accommodation
- reduce the time households spend in temporary accommodation; and
- use temporary accommodation more strategically, being more responsive to households’ specific accommodation and support needs.