Housing Strategy 2023 - 2028 consultation

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This consultation has closed.

Overview

The draft Housing Strategy 2023-28 sets our strategic direction for housing activity in the borough over the next five years. There is not currently enough suitable housing in Barnet for everyone to have a safe, secure, and affordable home. We want Barnet’s people and communities to thrive, and to achieve this we need to work with our partners to deliver solutions to a range of housing problems.

Our vision is that everyone has a safe, secure, affordable home where they can thrive. Our approach is focused on five themes that shape the key priorities and actions that will help

Overview

The draft Housing Strategy 2023-28 sets our strategic direction for housing activity in the borough over the next five years. There is not currently enough suitable housing in Barnet for everyone to have a safe, secure, and affordable home. We want Barnet’s people and communities to thrive, and to achieve this we need to work with our partners to deliver solutions to a range of housing problems.

Our vision is that everyone has a safe, secure, affordable home where they can thrive. Our approach is focused on five themes that shape the key priorities and actions that will help us to achieve this vision:

  • Prevent homelessness and support rough sleepers off the streets.
  • Deliver the right homes in the right places.
  • Ensure safe, sustainable council housing.
  • Raise quality and standards in the private rented sector.
  • Support living well by promoting healthy homes and wellbeing.


What we are seeking your views on

We are keen to give everyone who lives in Barnet the opportunity to have their say. Listening to the views and concerns of residents and communities is an important part of the development of our new strategy. The consultation is an opportunity for you to give your views on housing in the borough. In particular we are seeking your views on:

  • Our proposed vision for housing in the borough over the next five years.
  • Our proposed themes and the ambitions that sit underneath each of these.
  • Whether you think the draft Housing Strategy addresses the most important housing issues we face in Barnet.


How to have your say

Please take the time to read the draft strategy before completing our online questionnaire.

You may also find it helpful to review the evidence base that supports the draft strategy, and we have provided a summary version of the draft strategy.

To request a printed copy of the questionnaire or an alternative format, please email: housingstrategy@barnet.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8359 3608. Alternatively, you can write to us at: Housing and Growth, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW.


To take part in another Housing-related strategy consultation please click on the homepage here.

This consultation has closed.

  • We asked, you said, we did

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the draft Housing Strategy 2023 - 28, which sets our strategic direction for housing activity in the borough over the next five year. The themes of the Housing Strategy are:

    • Prevent homelessness and support rough sleepers off the streets
    • Deliver the right homes in the right places
    • Ensure safe, sustainable council housing
    • Raise quality and standards in the private rented sector
    • Support living well by promoting healthy homes and wellbeing.


    You said

    We received 63 responses to the online questionnaire, while 44 attended targeted focus groups. Overall, two thirds of respondents were supportive of the vision in the strategy. The comments we received indicated that:

    • you were concerned about the lack of housing affordability in Barnet, particularly for middle income households
    • you expressed a need for more wheelchair accessible homes in the borough
    • there should be more emphasis on tenants living in social housing downsizing to more manageable properties
    • you looked for more action to counter damp and mould in all homes irrespective of tenure
    • you welcomed the emphasis on homelessness prevention and wanted to see more done in response to the challenge of providing mental health support.


    We did

    The comments we received were taken into consideration in the final version of the Strategy which was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. In particular:

    • we are working with Barnet Homes to provide new homes for social and affordable rent
    • our planning guidelines require developers to provide mobility homes and wheelchair homes
    • Barnet Homes has expanded its programme to encourage tenants to downsize
    • Barnet Homes has introduced a substantial programme of works to address damp & mould. We are encouraging other housing providers to follow this example
    • our Homelessness Strategy addresses the need for supporting homeless people with mental health needs.