The third annual review of North Lanarkshire Council's Local Housing Strategy shows that real progress is being made in tackling key housing issues and delivering housing and related services that meet the needs of local residents. 

 

North Lanarkshire's Local Housing Strategy 2004-2009 sets out what the council is planning to do, in co-operation with its partners, to address housing issues across the area, and the third annual review clearly outlines what has been done to deliver on the council's action plan. 

 

Some of the key actions completed for 2006-07 include investing over £41m in the council's housing stock, enabling the development of 98 new social rented and low cost home ownership properties, investing over £4m tackling poor housing conditions in the private sector and developing a new Tenant Participation Strategy.

 

Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of the Housing and Social Work Services Committee said, "Delivering high quality housing in safe and secure neighbourhoods and ensuring that North Lanarkshire is a place where everyone enjoys good quality housing is a key priority for this council and its partners.

 

"We want our residents to have access to services that will enable them to live independently within and participate in the communities in which they live.  This council is already delivering on many of the key actions identified in the strategy and other actions will be further developed as the plan moves on into its fourth year.

 

"Many of the actions now being progressed this year include developing a common housing register in co-operation with housing associations to allow better access to affordable housing, investing significantly in the council's own housing stock, tackling disrepair and improving the condition of properties in the private sector by increasing the number of owners assisted to carry out repair works and improving the range of temporary accommodation for homeless people."

 

The North Lanarkshire Local Housing Strategy is overseen by a multi-agency steering group with representation from key council services, Communities Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire and housing associations.

 

The strategy sets out four main investment priority themes which are addressing housing requirements to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of houses in the size and type people want, in the areas they want to live and that they can afford, developing appropriate housing and related services to promote community regeneration, improving stock condition and energy efficiency helping to reduce fuel poverty and assisting people with particular needs to ensure there is a range of house sizes and types available with appropriate support.

 

"The strategy is a working one and feedback on the document is sought on a continuous basis," added Councillor McCulloch.  "To do this consultation takes place regularly in a number of ways with a variety of organisations and individuals.  This ensures that all our partners and stakeholders have their say in developing the objectives and actions for the forthcoming year."

 

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