Published on 27 November 2009
More affordable housing in the district continues to be a priority, according to Epping Forest District Council’s 2009-2012 Housing Strategy which has just been published, following an extensive consultation exercise.
The average cost of purchasing a house in Epping Forest is around £340,000 - 11 times the average full-time earnings of someone working in the district. The latest Housing Strategy sets out the need for properly-planned housing growth with adequate infrastructure. More broadly it states the Council’s vision that ‘Epping Forest will have safe, decent and attractive housing, meeting the needs of those who want to live in the district.’
The Housing Strategy covers many issues, such as reducing the number of empty homes and improving energy efficiency. It also sets out the Council’s key objectives relating to housing growth; affordable housing; accommodation for people with special needs; homelessness; and housing conditions.
A planned programme is set out in the Strategy indicating where housing is to be developed and how many properties will be built. Plans for the East of England include the provision of 3,500 new homes to be built in Epping Forest by 2021. Around 1,780 homes were built between April 2001 and April 2009, while a further 1,355 dwellings have outline or detailed planning permission. Epping Forest is also required to contribute towards the planned expansion of Harlow, although the number of homes to be provided is currently unknown. Within the growth programme is a provision for more affordable housing. While the Council’s own housing stock has reduced under the ‘Right to Buy’, partnerships with developers and housing associations are developing new accommodation for many families. This housing may be built for rent or to provide low-cost housing for first-time buyers, such as shared ownership.
People with special needs need suitable accommodation and appropriate support and this is another key aim. Estimates suggest that 10% of residents are aged 75 years or above and population forecasts suggest that the proportion of Epping Forest residents over 65 years of age will increase. The Strategy outlines a number of measures intended to provide support for older people, either in special housing schemes or in their own homes.
The Council aims to prevent homelessness and to house homeless people quickly in suitable permanent accommodation. In 2006 a Homelessness Prevention Team was established to provide advice and help clients look at all the options available to prevent the family from becoming homeless. This approach has proved successful with a 75% reduction in homelessness applications being processed in 2008/09 compared to 2005/06.
The last key objective is to make sure that all homes in the district are in a ‘decent’ condition. The Government has set targets and the Council is on track to deal with all non-decent Council homes by 2010. The Decent Homes Standard is set out in national policy. A range of measures is in place to help vulnerable families who live in non-decent homes in the private sector. In March the Council held a conference in Waltham Abbey and invited partners across a wide range of housing interests to give their views on the draft Housing Strategy. The published Strategy includes these views and sets out an action plan for achieving the Council’s strategic housing aims.
Councillor David Stallan Housing Portfolio Holder said: "This is an important document for the Council and for the district. Nobody knows when they may need help with housing, whether it be housing advice for an elderly parent, low-cost housing for their children who want to get a foot on the home ownership ladder, or Council housing following their home being repossessed due to a business failure."
He went on to say: "The Housing Strategy is our housing blueprint for the next three years and we will review our progress and success annually. I'd like to thank all those with an interest in housing who have made valuable contributions to working out the best way forward."
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