Report of the Devon Housing Commission
The Report of the Devon Housing Commission has recently been released. The report, supported by the University of Exeter and established by the Devon Housing Task Force, details how the housing crisis is negatively impacting public services, the economy, and putting additional strain on already hard-pressed care and health services.
The report found that Devon is “running out of housing options” and urgent action is needed to tackle the dramatic numbers of families priced out of markets having to be placed in temporary accommodation
Lord Richard Best, Chair of the Devon Housing Commission said in his report:
"The words “housing crisis” are not what the general public (or Westminster politicians) usually associate with the beautiful county of Devon. However, as the evidence accumulated by the Devon Housing Commission shows, there is indeed a real housing crisis in this county. The problem is an acute shortage of homes affordable for the next generation."
The Commission calls for central and local government, with social housing partners, to redouble efforts to provide more truly affordable homes for the people of Devon. The report includes recommendations for the district council and wider partners and will help us develop our own North Devon Housing Strategy.
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Update from our Outreach team
Our Enhanced Outreach team works with the district's rough sleepers to support their needs and - where accepted - help them into bricks and mortar accommodation.
At the time of writing, there were 19 verified rough sleepers in North Devon. There are, on average, 16 rough sleepers in temporary accommodation at any one time.
The team has a number of moves planned this week as they are trying to free up bed spaces.
On a more positive note, the team welcomed a new Mental Health Nurse this week. They are delighted as this post has been a vacant for a long time.
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Community Land Trusts update
The Government has established the importance of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) in delivering affordable housing for local people and is beginning to change legislation and guidance to enable their development and success.
CLT schemes tend to be 100% affordable housing (often social rent) and are not subject to the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire so they are available for future generations of the community in perpetuity.
Our community-led housing pipeline is looking to deliver nearly 150 affordable homes (for Social Rent). Community volunteers work passionately and hard alongside North Devon Council, Middlemarch technical advisors and Housing Associations to ensure much needed affordable housing for local people comes forward in their village or town:
We have eight active Community Land Trusts:
Two have recently received planning permission:
- Ilfracombe CLT on council land delivering 16 Affordable Homes (for Social Rent)
- Parracombe – six Social Rents (in the North Devon part of Exmoor National Park Authority)
Two CLTs are awaiting a decision on their planning application – 40 Affordable Homes (for Social Rent) in total.
Four CLTs are either trying to find suitable land or working on their schemes.
Our Affordable Housing team will continue to work alongside Middlemarch to support the CLT.
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Homes for Ukraine - can you help?
Devon-based charity, The Pickwell Foundation works locally to provide assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, including offering support to Ukrainians and their sponsors in northern Devon through the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Pickwell say: "It is over two years and the war on Ukraine continues, our hearts are breaking for all those impacted by the onslaught of attacks on the country.
"We are continuously getting requests from those in Ukraine for help.
"As part of our ongoing efforts to support the Homes for Ukraine scheme, we are reaching out to seek your assistance in recruiting additional sponsors. The success of this initiative relies heavily on the generosity and support of our community, and your involvement can make a significant difference."
Please help, if you can, by spreading the word...
The ideal locations for these properties would be near public transport, schools, and work opportunities, ensuring that Ukrainian families have easy access to essential services and can smoothly integrate into their new surroundings.
By providing safe and convenient housing options, we can help Ukrainian families rebuild their lives and create a strong foundation for their future.
Sponsors and their guests are fully supported by The Pickwell Foundations advisors as well as the local authorities monthly "thank you" payments.
We are looking for hosts, but also landlords who can offer a property for private rental. For more information visit the following website:
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Refugee Week 2024
Refugee Week 2024 is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
The week was celebrated last month, and to mark the occasion our lovely Parks team created a floral tribute in the form of an orange heart made of calendulas.
The orange heart represents compassion for people fleeing war and persecution. Inspired by the refugee nation flag, and the colours of a lifebelt, the heart symbolises hope and kindness.
The orange heart flower can be found at the bottom of Capstone Hill in Ilfracombe.
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Energy efficiency grants and loans
Energy efficiency measures can reduce fuel bills and conserve heat, giving you a warmer home.
You might be able to get help with your energy costs or to make your home more energy efficient. Grants and loans are available for homeowner-occupiers, landlords and tenants for insulation works and heating installations through a variety of schemes.
You can access home energy advice through a service we are running in partnership with 361 Community Energy, as well as a new webpage dedicated to home energy efficiency:
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Council officer runner-up in national award
One of our Housing officers was a runner-up in the prestigious LGC Awards, the biggest celebration of excellence in local government.
Natasha (Tash) Rowland, our Service Lead for Housing, Vulnerable Persons and Community Safety was recognised in the 'Outstanding Individual Contribution' category. She was nominated in recognition of her services to combat homelessness in North Devon. This includes being instrumental in the building of a partnership between the council, drug and alcohol services, physical and mental health services, and homelessness charities like Freedom Community Alliance, which all work together to support rough sleepers. Tash was also responsible for setting up eight rough sleeper pods along with sixteen temporary accommodation bed places, which have provided a place of safety for rough sleepers.
We are extremely proud of Tash - and her brilliant team - for the valuable work they do in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our district.
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Recent compliments for our Housing officers
Our Housing and Property officers are extremely passionate about supporting those in housing need and work very hard to get the best results for their clients. It's lovely when they receive positive comments, and we thought we'd share a few of them with you...
"Just a quick note to say thank you so much for this new shower room, it's so nice and so much easier for me, especially at night times. It really does make a difference. Plus not having to throw so much kitchen roll in the trash either. Hope you are well and thanks again."
"I just wanted to say thank you again, you've done so much for me in such a short amount of time you're an amazing and genuine person and I wish you all the best for the future... I truly appreciate everything you have done for me."
"Thank you all so much for everything. You're all amazing."
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Empty Homes Project update
Our Empty Homes Project sets out to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in North Devon, increase the housing supply in the district and tackle empty property nuisance issues.
We are working hard to achieve a reduction in empty homes by offering incentives to the owners of these properties, such as home improvement loans, and a matchmaker scheme connecting potential purchasers, investors and developers with owners of empty homes.
We work collaboratively with colleagues in our Council Tax and Legal Services to reduce council tax arrears and will consider options including securing a charging order and where relevant applying to the Court for an Order Sale.
We currently have around 250 active cases, which include properties where planning permission has been granted, properties sold, for sale or to let, deceased estates, and properties under repair.
Information and advice on the Empty Homes project, including how to report an empty home and advice for home owners, is now available on the council's website at www.northdevon.gov.uk/empty-homes-project.
For more information about the loan scheme, visit www.lendology.org.uk or call Lendology on 01823 461099.
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For more information...
You can read more about the services we offer on our website:
If you'd like to contact our Housing Options team, you can do so by completing a form online:
You can also contact us by telephone on 01271 388870.
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