Brighton & Hove City Council

Housing Committee Agenda Item 69(d)

Subject:                     Housing and Homelessness Work Programme

Date of meeting:      15 March 2023

Proposer:                   Councillor Gibson

Seconder:                 Councillor Hugh-Jones

Ward(s) affected:     All

Notice of Motion

Green Group

Over the last 3.5 years there has been a joint Labour–Green housing and homelessness work programme. With great thanks to the hard work of officers, this programme has helped deliver:

· 500 additional council homes (projected by May 23);

· 49 truly affordable new council homes at Living rents (projected May 23);

· New private rented housing additional and selective licensing schemes going forward for consultation;

· A 53% reduction in rough sleeper numbers since 2019 (compared to 28% reduction nationally);

· A threefold increase in the number of “Housing First” placements;

· The expansion of PRS enforcement capacity and, as of February 2023, including the issue of £169K in fines;

· Warmer Homes grants to those in greatest need and a wider scheme with funding of £2.5m to be launched in April;

· The adoption of a New Build Housing Sustainability Policy and 42 new homes built in Victoria Rd with the Council’s first ground source heat pump as well as solar panels and green walls.

Believes:

That working together on a jointly agreed programme has helped achieve progress for the benefit of the city and its residents.

Proposes that:

1. The achievements of the joint programme be noted;

2. In the event a) of no party achieving an overall majority in the May 2023 local elections and b) of the manifestos of the two larger parties being compatible in terms of their housing content, that Housing Committee consider adopting a similarly prepared joint programme on Housing and Homelessness at its meeting in September 2023.

Proposed by Cllr Gibson

Seconded by Cllr Siriol Hugh-Jones