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Housing strategy - Delivering change

Summary

The housing strategy for 2006 to 2010 identifies the key priorities which the Council will address. It sets out coherent action across all housing tenures to change local housing markets to ensure they meet the borough’s future housing requirements.

The overarching principle of the housing service is that everyone has the right to a suitable, affordable, warm and dry home.

As a strategic housing authority we seek to maintain across the borough a reasonable range and choice of appropriate, quality housing in all tenures for residents irrespective of their age, race, gender or financial means.

Transforming our area

Rochdale is a borough with a lot going for it.
Situated within beautiful countryside it boasts excellent motorway links to Leeds and Manchester. However the borough also contains some of the poorest communities in the UK and much of the housing does not meet modern needs.

There is simply not enough housing of the right size, type and quality for today's residents and for future generations.

Our housing strategy sets out how we are tackling some of the major housing issues our communities face and shows how we are striving to create better standards and choice for our residents.

Our vision

Better housing is vital to Rochdale's future.

Our aim is clear: to provide better housing in quality neighbourhoods, improve choice and tackle disadvantage.

We intend to:

  • Provide quality homes that are warm, dry and secure in sustainable neighbourhoods.
  • Provide a choice of housing that meets the needs of resident across the borough.
  • Meet the housing needs of disadvantaged groups in an inclusive way.
The need for change

In our inner areas some house prices are well below the national average and there is poor quality housing and overcrowding.

  • Our worst property conditions are found in the private sector, particularly in the private rented sector.
  • Most of our social rented estates were built in the 1960s and 70s, so feature smaller homes but not enough family houses.
  • We face another challenge - the borough's population is expected to keep growing. We need a better choice of modern housing for sale and rent in the right locations.
Raising standards

A lot has already been achieved to improve neighbourhoods:

  • Our Arm's Length Management Organisation, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, has brought the Council's homes up to the Decent Homes Standard - four years ahead of schedule.
  • We have introduced crime reduction measures including alley gates, CCTV, security patrols and concierge services.
  • Powers to tackle anti-social behaviour have been increased and we have worked with social and private landlords to implement these.
  • Social estates and areas of poor quality housing have been remodelled with the demolition of some properties.
  • Much work has been done to improve poor quality private houses through our wide-ranging private sector housing renewal policies.
A better choice

Our aim is to build up to 400 modern new homes every year.

We are working in partnership with the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder to invest millions of pounds in the borough. This is attracting developers to build new homes in areas that have suffered from a lack of investment.

New apartments and houses of different sizes and styles are pushing design boundaries. They will be built with the environment in mind  with many harnessing wind and sun energy to cut fuel bills.

The core aim driving these exciting plans is simple: to offer a better choice to local people.

Transformation for tomorrow

Local people have to be at the heart of proposals for homes and a huge amount of consultation will continue into the future to ensure we get it right.

A revolution in housing cannot happen overnight. We are working closely with residents to ensure that they are involved in mapping out the transformation of neighbourhoods.

We will also:

  • Continue to negotiate to buy land to build new homes.
  • Encourage private owners to improve derelict land and buildings.
  • Continue to bring homes up to decent standards.
  • Invest in the environment to make streets safer and more pleasant.
An inclusive housing service

We will work closely with our local community to tackle deprivation and disadvantage.

  • Tackling and preventing homelessness is central to our aim of helping people to live independently and inclusively in the borough.
  • We are working to build a mixture of sizes of homes suitable for all families.
  • We are working to build a mixture of sizes of homes to meet housing needs, including those of Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
  • We are increasing housing options for people with learning difficulties, older people and people with physical disability or sensory impairment.
  • Through our Supporting People programme we aim to support vulnerable people to maximise their independence and prevent social exclusion.
Into the future

Our housing strategy is not just about bricks and mortar.

By improving our homes for rent, building new, modern homes and raising service standards we will help to improve the quality of life of residents throughout the borough.

This in turn will encourage people to stay here and help the area to prosper. We are committed to working with local people on delivering change.