Over 63% of the North Lanarkshire population live on their own or in privately rented homes and to improve housing conditions, the council has published its Private Sector Housing Strategy for 2006-2009.

The strategy sets out what North Lanarkshire Council is planning to do, in co-operation with its partners, to address private sector housing issues identified over a three-year period 2006-2009. This will include meeting housing need across the area, identifying investment requirements, improving the condition of housing and helping to build strong, safe and attractive communities.

And the £12 million investment for the three-year strategy period will lead to the improvement of over 3,000 homes.

"The Private Sector Housing Strategy focuses on the housing, and needs of those people living in their own house or in private rented accommodation," explained Councillor McLaughlin, Convener of the Housing and Technical Services Committee.

"Some of the areas addressed in this strategy include ensuring that there is a sufficient supply of houses of the size and type people want, in the areas they want to live and that they can afford. The council also aims to promote community regeneration by working in partnership with others to regenerate priority areas and develop sustainable communities.

"Improving stock conditions and energy efficiency is another priority and we will work to ensure that all houses in North Lanarkshire are in a good state of repair, well maintained and energy efficient. We will continue to assist people with particular needs to make sure a range of accommodation is provided to allow individuals and their carers to receive the support and care they need in their own homes and local community.

"The council, together with North Lanarkshire Partnership, wants to make North Lanarkshire a place where everyone enjoys good quality housing in a pleasant and safe environment and I believe this strategy will go some way in achieving this."

The North Lanarkshire Private Sector Housing Strategy 2006-09:-

• Highlights the issues affecting private sector housing in North Lanarkshire;
• Presents the findings of the consultation process;
• Provides a framework through which housing providers and investors can operate and ensure that needs and demand can be met more effectively with available resources;
• Sets out an action plan to address issues and priorities identified by the council and its partners, and
• Sets objectives and targets and shows how progress will be monitored.

North Lanarkshire Council has a responsibility to carry out an assessment of housing needs and conditions of all housing in its area and to produce strategies to address the housing problems identified. North Lanarkshire’s Private Sector Housing Strategy identifies the broad picture of investment needs for improvements in private sector housing, shows how the housing circumstances for households in the private sector will be improved and outlines the links between the Scottish Executive’s national housing priorities and local private sector housing requirements.