Gimme Shelter

The votes for this position statement have been counted and a set of priorities defined. You are welcome to share your views, but please be aware that position statements are unlikely to be refreshed more than once a year.

Affordability

Priority 1

Increase the supply of affordable housing to answer demand, especially for those on low incomes

Priority 2

Investigate the possibility of building on the Downs to increase (affordable) housing

Priority 3

Bring forward affordable land and properties, review planning laws

Priority 4

Reflect the current needs of the local population in its diversity, through mixed tenure in social housing developments and low cost homes

Priority 5

Extend and prioritise support provided to young people, people with mental health difficulties etc. For example more ongoing support to maintain rented accommodation and find financial help

Priority 6

Link the housing agenda with agendas for employment, learning, young people, exclusion and mental health

Tenants and Tenant Management Organisations

Priority 1 

Promoting Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) as cost effective delivery of repairs and maintenance, and which encourage community development

Priority 2

Implementing the Tenant Compact and local neighbourhood tenant compacts through strong neighbourhood representation

Priority 3

Explore private tenants’ rights to manage

Priority 4

Extend the landlord accreditation scheme and improving landlord regulation

Priority 5

Promote more secure tenancies in private rented sector

Priority 6

Improve advocacy for those presenting as homeless, especially young people

Co-operative Housing

Priority 1

Promote co-operative housing as sustainable communities providing sub-market rents and capacity building through tenant management, and which retain stock in perpetuity as social housing

Priority 2

Reduce hardship through upholding tenancy rights; safeguarding deposits; developing the potential of low cost finance to meet deposits; fuel efficiency measures

Priority 3

Promote co-housing (shared housing with communal space) and especially co-housing for the elderly, in order to address isolation and reduce the cost of single people living in family homes, freeing up housing stock

Priority 4

Bring more empty properties into market and into co-op management

Priority 5

Meet the Decent Homes Standard in council stock; ensuring private sector stock is decent and well-maintained

Priority 6

Explore holistic co-operatively owned community solutions and engagement

Priority 7

Promote supported living schemes (e.g. for older people and those with disabilities)