Issue - items at meetings - Empty Property Update

(1)       That the progress on improving the housing supply in Brighton & Hove (as set out in paragraphs 3.18 to 3.27) be noted.

(2)       That the update on the Homes & Communities Agency Prospectus and other available funding options (as set out in paragraphs 3.28 to 3.40) be noted.

(3)       That the return of the HCA Empty Homes Funding allocation reported to Housing Committee on 6 March 2013 and 19 June 2013 (as more fully described at paragraphs 3.5 to 3.17) be noted.

76.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Environment, Development & Housing which updated members upon:

·        Progress on delivery of the current Affordable Housing Programme in partnership with the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) & Registered Providers

·        Progress on bringing empty private sector homes back into use

·        HCA Empty funding allocation

·        HCA Affordable Homes Programme 15-18 Prospectus

·        Additional funding options available to ensure best use of existing housing resources and to improve housing supply       

76.2    The report was presented by the Head of Housing Strategy and Development. 

76.3    The Chair asked for clarification of paragraph 3.16.  The Head of Housing Strategy confirmed that no funds had been received from the HCA.  Other methods had been used to bring homes back into use.

76.4    Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.36 and stated that she did not agree that the city needed more 1 bedroom accommodation.  Councillor Mears referred to the section on the Affordable Housing Investment Programme.  She expressed concern that there had been far more shared ownership than affordable rents coming forward.  Shared ownership was out of the reach of tenants.   The Chair stated that the lack of affordable housing was due to the subsidy system. 

76.5    RESOLVED - (1)      That the progress on improving the housing supply in Brighton & Hove (as set out in paragraphs 3.18 to 3.27) be noted.

(2)       That the update on the Homes & Communities Agency Prospectus and other available funding options (as set out in paragraphs 3.28 to 3.40) be noted.

(3)       That the return of the HCA Empty Homes Funding allocation reported to Housing Committee on 6 March 2013 and 19 June 2013 (as more fully described at paragraphs 3.5 to 3.17) be noted.