Communities and Local Government
A selection of images representing communities.
Direct contact 020 7944 4400- contactus@communities.gov.uk
- Housing
- Housing strategy and performance
- Local authority strategic housing role
Local authority strategic housing role
The Local Government White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities identified the need for local authorities to take a more strategic approach to housing as part of their place shaping role.
By ensuring that housing is of the highest quality, located in the right place with the necessary infrastructure and support, local authorities can create vibrant and mixed communities.
The Housing Green Paper, Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable called on all Local Authorities to play a stronger role in addressing the housing needs of all residents.
It encouraged authorities to develop their strategic housing role by using the full range of housing and land use planning powers. They should be working with partners to meet needs of residents by ensuring the delivery of new and affordable housing whilst making the best use of existing stock.
The strategic housing role requires vision, leadership, planning and delivery to:
- assess and plan for current and future housing needs of the local population
- make the best use of existing housing stock
- plan and facilitate new supply
- plan and commission housing support services which link homes to support and other services that people need to live in them
- have working partnerships that secure effective housing and neighbourhood management.
By contributing to place shaping, strategic housing activity can help to deliver improved services (including health, education, social services); a safe environment; accessible transport; a strong sense of community; and a decent home for all at a price people can afford.
