Angus Local Housing Strategy

Angus LHS Review Key Priority Areas 1.Helping Aging and Disabled households 2.Mixed Tenure & Housing Options 3.Housing Market areas and housing Need 4.Improving Housing Quality 5.Alleviate & Prevent homelessness 6.Responding to population changes and incre4ased demand from migrant workers

1. Helping Ageing and Disabled households in the Private Sector Grant of £1.023m was applied to 242 houses in the private sector to help with adaptations Angus Council spent £548k providing both minor and major adaptations to council housing stock assisting tenants with physical disabilities In 2008 the population of over 60 yr olds was 27,774, 25.2% of the population, it is estimated to rise to 49% by 2031

2. Mixed Tenure & Housing Options In an in-house Study estimated a total need for 1,087 units of affordable housing. 942 units for rental, 145 low cost home ownership. LCHO demand fell due to rise in house prices from 2003 – 2007 the average house price increased from £54K to £131k, whilst 56% of households income was below £25k Scottish Govt provided £7.192m funding Affordable housing in Angus, RSLs Completed 118 houses for rent and LCHO, 73 Arbroath, 21 Brechin, 2 Carnoustie, 22 Forfar houses benefited from the empty homes grant of £150,000

3. Housing Market areas and housing Need Previous LHS focused on Local Housing Need Assessment, revealing Angus has relatively self contained market areas. With little cross boundary movement With new Guidance this work has developed with more robust HNDA across all tenures

4. Improving Housing Quality Low demand council stock falls from 10.8% to 5.8% Council house modernisation program is on track to meet the SQHS of 95% of stock by target 2015 Initiatives are in place signposting private sectors to help improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty In houses were build to meet special needs 67% of PRS properties have been registered under the Landlord Registration Scheme, promoting good practice.

5. Alleviate & Prevent homelessness Trends in homelessness have been decreasing since 2004 from 1,405 to 1,326 applications in 2008 A new integrated single shared assessment process has been developed to identify and target housing support to vulnerable households The right to temp accommodation has been extended and the Abolition of Priority Need achieved with meeting the interim objective to wards the 2012 target.

6. Responding to population changes and increased demand from migrant workers Angus Council has taken a proactive approach to respond to changes in population such as the influx of migrant workers and the impact on housing markets particularly the PRS. A European & International Development Officer appointed to support migrant communities. Regulation introduced to improve safety of HMO’s and caravan sites.