Published on:
31
October 2012
Councillors have set out the priorities for housing across Clackmannanshire for the next five years.
Last week Clackmannanshire's Housing Strategy for 2012-2017 was agreed at a meeting of the Housing, Health and Care Committee following consultation on the draft strategy agreed by Council earlier in the year and the Clackmannanshire Alliance in September.
Housing, Care and Health Committee Convener, Councillor Les Sharp, said: "This is a particularly challenging time for the housing sector, with economic recession, financial pressures and welfare benefit reform all expected to impact on the local economy.
"Our vision for the future, however, is that every household in Clackmannanshire should have access to a good quality and affordable home, with advice and support services that meet their needs.
"We now have plans to provide additional affordable housing through purchasing available properties to supplement our ambitious new build programme."
The Council will also engage with partners to improve energy efficiency in all housing, through the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP). In that respect, the Council is fully committed to taking proactive steps towards reducing fuel poverty, as far as practicable, by 2016."
Councillors were advised how the Council and its partners need to find new and innovative ways of funding new development, including how to work with private developers and financiers to deliver affordable housing.
Councillor Sharp added: "The aim is to tackle local issues and priorities identified by local residents and partner agencies. In particular, town centres are important to the economic health of the area and should be places where people want to live.
"To address the issue of empty homes and poor condition, we will set up Housing Renewal Areas, initially in Alloa, Sauchie and Alva, and thereby bring homes back into residential use while also enhancing the area."
The strategy will go before full Council in December for final approval.