Councillor Matthew Riddle, executive member for the Community Care and Housing Department, along with Penny Bird, former Youth Parliament member, launched the Council's new Housing Strategy on 8 July 2008.
The launch of Housing Strategy 2008 – 2013, More Housing More Choice – Affordable, Sustainable and Better Quality took place at The Park Centre, Kingswood.
Its overall aim is to create a clear action plan to tackle the major local housing issues which have been identified and prioritised by residents living in South Gloucestershire.
The priorities for 2008 to 2013 include:
- Accessing high quality services
- Ensuring the delivery, affordability and sustainability of new homes
- Ensuring people in rural communities can meet their housing needs
- Improving the condition of homes in South Gloucestershire
- Maximising people's ability to live independently
- Reducing homelessness
Cllr Riddle said: "South Gloucestershire is an attractive place to live and work, and is a place with a number of major employers, making it a largely affluent and vibrant area. This brings with it its own challenges, for example, the costs involved in purchasing a house.
"The council's long-term vision is that everyone living in South Gloucestershire should be able to access housing that they can afford and that meets their needs, with appropriate support.
"This is something we aim to achieve by providing effective leadership within our community, by building on our partnerships with others and by enabling customer-led services."
During the consultation period former Youth Parliament reps ran a workshop at Fromeside Youth Centre in Winterbourne to find out young peoples' views on housing.
Their feedback, together with comments received from everyone else who took part in the public consultation, were used to develop the strategy, which is available online at www.southglos.gov.uk/housingstrategy and click Read More.
This strategy is designed to ensure that local people can access a home that suits their needs, with support where needed, particularly for those people who cannot afford to buy or rent on the private market.