Highland Reports Achieving Priorities On Local Housing Strategy
2nd May 2024
The Housing and Property Committee met on Wednesday 1 May 2024 and noted the Housing Service performance report 2023/24 that met the agreed priorities and associated initiatives in the Local Housing Strategy 2023-2028.
The report highlighted a number of achievements in 2023/24 in increasing housing supply. As part of the approved Affordable Housing Programme 2023/24, 418 houses are currently built or nearing completion, 163 are new build Council houses, 226 are for social rent delivered via our partners and 29 open market purchases which brought houses into Council ownership.
The report also confirmed efforts to keep Council house rents affordable, as well as detailing various initiatives to support tenants in sustaining their tenancies and mitigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
It also detailed a number of housing and homelessness service indicators where Highland is performing better than national benchmarking comparators. It also summarises the ongoing engagement work with the Scottish Housing Regulator who provide an independent regulatory role for social housing in Scotland.
Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: "The key objective of the Council's Local Housing Strategy (2023-2028) is that everyone in Highland has access to a quality home which is affordable and supports the local economy in a sustainable, connected community where people wish to live, work and study.
"The housing service performance report highlights significant developments in how Highland is increasing housing supply, providing a range of housing options for households seeking safe and secure accommodation, and demonstrates how it is helping our tenants sustain their tenancies despite the cost-of-living crisis.
"The report also provides information on initiatives to ensure that Highland is providing positive and secure housing outcomes for our tenants and service users, many of whom constitute the most vulnerable client groups in our communities and for whom a stable home environment is essential to their wellbeing and quality of life.
"Demand to live, work and thrive in the Highlands is high, and we must continue to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government and our housing partners to do all we can to improve the availability of affordable, accessible housing across the Highlands."
The full report can be found here Item 7
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The Highland Council is seeking contractors to tender for a Highland Energy Efficiency Framework (domestic and non-domestic). Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "It is vital that local businesses take this opportunity and attend the ‘Meet the Buyer Event' being organised for them in Inverness.
The Highland Council welcomes the introduction of new legislation announced today (16 July 2024) by the Scottish Government that incorporates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: "The changes introduced will ensure that Highland's children and young people will be included in, and consulted with, on changes to existing policies and on the introduction of new policies being considered by The Highland Council.
The action taken by the Council's roads teams across the Highlands in response to the impact of storms has been recognised. The team were delighted to win the Team of the Year at the recent Highland Council Staff Recognition Awards.
The Highland Council's Early Learning & Childcare (North) Consultation is now live, and we want to hear from those living in the Lairg, Dornoch, Golspie, Farr, Scourie, Durness, Kinlochbervie, Tongue, Wick and Thurso area. The survey is open until Wednesday 31 July 2024.
Highland Council's multi-award-winning renewable energy installation, Hydro Ness, has scooped another national design award. Hydro Ness and designer Leslie Hutt Architect received a prestigious Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland award at a ceremony at the National Galleries of Scotland on 3 June 2024.
Highland Council today (8 July 2024) launched a 12-week public consultation on its draft Ecology Strategy and Action Plan. The draft Ecology Strategy and Action Plan was approved at May's meeting of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee and sets out an ambitious set of actions to tackle biodiversity loss and address the ecological emergency. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: "The climate and ecological emergencies are interconnected, and biodiversity loss threatens our well-being and survival.
Highland council have announced resurfacing & drainage works being carried out on A99 Cliff Road, Bridge Street, High Street, George Street & North Road in Wick from Thursday 4 Jul 24 for approx 3 weeks. Road closure will be in place from Wed 10Jul - Sat 14 Jul between 10am & 3pm daily for the corner of Bridge Street & High Street to enable works.
Highland Council's £2.1 billion twenty-year investment plan will add significant capital on top of existing and additional new commitments of £50 million for roads and transport infrastructure agreed as part of the 2024 budget setting process. £63.4m will be spent on roads and infrastructure improvements over the next 3 years.
A shining example of partnership in action has enabled the reopening of a much-needed public convenience in Wick which was closed for two years due to significant vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The town of Wick has over 7,500 residents, is a community hub for the surrounding local rural area of East Caithness and has seen a considerable increase in the number of visitors due to the popularity of the NC500 and the increase in staycation visitors.
A new voluntary scheme is now open to all campervan and motorhome users travelling across Highland, with the principle aim of delivering sustainable and responsible tourism in the Highlands. Earlier this year, the public, partners, and the Highland Council's staff were invited to take part in a survey and share suggestions ahead of the Council's budget for 2024/25.
