Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

1)    To accept the report and to note the observations.

2)    To make a request to the Scrutiny Forum for a Scrutiny Investigation into the Social Housing Allocation Policy in order to see how robust the procedure is and to look at the detail of the policy.

The report was submitted noting that it provided an overview of the progress seen on the Housing Action Plan. It was highlighted that good progress had been seen since adopting the plan in April 2021 with:

·         241 social houses built

·         202 empty houses had been brought back into use

·         32 homelessness units had been erected or were in the process of being erected

·         64 first time buyers grant had been given to renovate empty houses

·         633 housing adaptations grants had been allocated to enable disabled people to continue living in their homes.

It was generally expressed that the department felt strongly that they offered a variety of support and interventions and, as a result, that the plans met the needs of individuals in different areas of the county.

Members were guided through the projects, beginning with "Developing our own homes, buying private homes and purchasing building land for the future". It was noted that the three projects aimed at increasing the opportunities available for the people of Gwynedd by owning or renting suitable housing for their needs. It was explained that by implementing the buying and building houses schemes successfully during the Housing Action Plan period, the Council would have erected 90 houses and bought a 100 others that would be available to let for Gwynedd residents. It was highlighted that several developments were currently underway, with six developments in locations such as Bangor, Llanystumdwy and Llanberis in different stages of the process.

In terms of the Buy to Let Scheme, it was noted that 18 houses had now been bought with another 6 in the process of being bought. It was explained that these houses were bought across the county and in locations where it would be possible to respond to local people's housing needs. It was added, before letting the property, the houses needed to be brought to an accepted and statutory standard of living, and the department was in the process of discussing their letting arrangements. It was explained in terms of purchasing land, that land had been purchased in Mynytho, Llanystumdwy and Caernarfon for future development. In terms of Social housing, it was expressed that the Council continued to work closely with the Housing Associations to implement a Social Housing Development Programme in the county.  We aim to reach a target of building 700 social houses across the county during the term of the plan. It was reiterated to date that 241 houses had been erected, with 279 underway and that the programme was full for 2024/25.

Attention was drawn to the Grants Schemes, noting that the Action Plan included several schemes related to allocating grants to increase the opportunities available for the people of Gwynedd. It was explained that the Council had recently started a community regeneration grant scheme that provided grants for community groups to provide living units for local people. It was noted since the beginning of the Plan, that 633 adaptations had been made to enable people to remain in their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5