Council moves to expand number of affordable homes

The council held a six-week public consultation on the draft version of the strategy

A council cabinet has backed a housing strategy to increase the number of affordable homes and tackle homelessness in a city.

On Monday Peterborough City Council’s cabinet members approved plans included in the Peterborough Housing Strategy for 2024-29. This strategy will now be put before the full council next month for final adoption.

The Housing Strategy identifies the authority's four housing priorities, which includes meeting the need for accessible and supported accommodation in the city.

The council said it will work in conjunction with partner organisations and registered housing providers, as well as landowners, developers and community organisations to deliver the strategy.

Earlier this year the council, which remains under no overall party control, held a six-week public consultation on the draft version of the strategy, which provided feedback from residents, businesses, stakeholders and organisations.

The four overarching priorities to the strategy include:

• Delivering sustainable growth and regeneration in Peterborough through high-quality place making that supports the authority's ambitions for Peterborough to become a net-zero carbon city

• Increasing the supply of homes that people can afford and tackling homelessness through prevention

• Raising housing quality and standards in existing homes

• Meeting the need for accessible and adapted housing, supported accommodation, and housing for specific groups

Anne Keogh, Peterborough City Council’s housing strategy and implementation manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the public consultation for their helpful feedback, which will help shape this vital document going forwards.

“The Housing Strategy is intended to benefit everyone who lives within the council’s area.

"It will set out the key role that housing plays in improving the economic, social, and environmental aspirations of the city as well as identifying [what] we and our partners can work together to address the housing needs of current and future households,” she added.