Agenda item - Community led housing update

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Agenda item

Community led housing update

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

 

Decision:

That Housing & New Homes Committee:

 

(1)      Note the progress to date with supporting community led housing in the city and the future plans.

 

Minutes:

82.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which provided an update on activity in delivering community led housing in the city and progress against the recommendations agreed at Housing & New Homes Committee on 25 September 2017, attached at Appendix 1. The report was presented by the Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager.

 

82.2   Councillor Gibson welcomed the report and the deputations heard earlier and stressed the importance of exploring all the options that were available to address the housing crisis. He was at the recent launch of the Community Led Housing Programme and hoped the council could harness and work with the enthusiasm displayed at the launch. He was pleased that the Right to Buy was avoided through CLT development. If the developments addressed concerns about density and access for local people on low incomes, and in the greatest possible housing need, then it was to be completely welcomed. He further welcomed the suggestion that there should be a future report showing how the £464,540 grant awarded to the Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust had been spent and how well the council had worked in partnership to progress this work. 

 

82.3   Councillor Hill stated that she was at the launch which was very well attended. There had been talk of Community Led Housing disrupting the market as the market did not work for many people. She looked forward to seeing more work carried out on these sites and to see some projects coming forward.

 

82.4   Councillor Druitt stated that it was valuable listening to the deputations earlier on the agenda. He noted that the deputations had made a number of recommendations and asked if the recommendations were practical, possible and legal. Councillor Druitt specifically noted the idea that the council allow an asset transfer to the Community Land Trust before the community have been able to detail extensive plans. Meanwhile, he asked what more the council could do to support the community; both the Community Land Trust and other community groups, who wanted to engage in this type of provision.

 

82.5   The Senior Lawyer stated that it was not possible for the council to allow an asset transfer to the Community Land Trust before the community had been able to detail extensive plans. The council needed to get “best consideration” reasonably obtainable for the disposal of any individual piece of land.

 

82.6   The Head of Housing Strategy, Property and Investment stated that the council worked closely with the Community Land Trust and in terms of resourcing, the £464,000 had been used to fund seven enablers to work with the community to build capacity. The council also wanted to put community housing groups in touch with land agents in the city and developers who might want to discuss the use of other sites for community housing development. In the past, the Empty Property Officer had supported community housing groups to bid to the Homes and Communities Agency for funding. The council were in conversation with government about their second tranche of community housing funding and how the council could support community housing groups to bid for Homes England funding or direct government funding to enhance both revenue and capital. 

 

82.7   RESOLVED:-

 

That Housing & New Homes Committee:

 

(1)      Note the progress to date with supporting community led housing in the city and the future plans.

 

Supporting documents:

 


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