Building new affordable homes, providing temporary accommodation for people in need and delivering a programme that seeks to ensure housing providers are fit for purpose.
Those are just some of the actions Durham County Council is to take through two new strategies it has developed to address housing needs, and tackle and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.
The County Durham Housing Strategy (CDHS), and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (HRSS) are both now adopted, following their approval by the local authority’s Cabinet.
Cllr James Rowlandson, the authority’s portfolio holder for resources, investment and assets, said: “We’re really pleased to have adopted these two important strategies.
“The Housing Strategy recognises that access to good quality, well-maintained, warm, secure and safe housing is good for people’s health and wellbeing and quality of life, and that it can support them into work and in doing so, bring about economic growth.
“It seeks to give people this access by delivering more affordable housing across the county, as well as a higher quality and standard of properties, and by bringing empty properties back into use.”
Cllr Alan Shield, the council’s cabinet member for equality and inclusion, added: “The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy recognises that homelessness can affect people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, educational achievement, ability to gain and sustain employment and puts pressure on personal and family relationships.
“It sets out our vision, priorities and actions to address and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping across County Durham, including by tackling the causes and by focusing on prevention and early intervention.”
The two strategies replace existing versions. The CDHS will be in place until 2035 while the HRSS will cover the five years from now to 2029.
The HRSS was prepared following a detailed review of homelessness and rough sleeping, and each draft strategy was subject to two rounds of consultation.
The CDHS sets out a vision for activity in County Durham to provide good quality housing that meets everyone’s needs; is affordable for local people; and supports the creation of great places to live.
The HRSS sets out four priorities to tackle homelessness: prevent people from becoming homeless; improve access to and supply of accommodation; ensure the appropriate support is available for people who are homeless; and reduce rough sleeping.
Cabinet also approved 12 month delivery plans alongside each strategy.