Council leaders have welcomed a local authority’s progress in its ambition to improve housing and end homelessness and rough sleeping, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Durham County Council launched both strategies within the past two years to provide good quality, affordable housing for residents and to support people going through challenging circumstances.
Nicola Lyons, cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said the strategies ensure the council is “well-positioned to maximise opportunities for funding, support and reduce homelessness and rough sleeping.”
The local authority previously set the ambitious vision to build 500 new council homes by 2029, as part of new measures to meet the growing demand for housing across the region.
As part of its housing strategy approved last year, the council set itself five key targets to achieve in five years, including: building more homes; improving access to housing; creating energy-efficient properties; improving housing options; and improving communities.
Alongside new build developments, work is ongoing to convert buildings and acquire properties in areas where there is limited land but a need for affordable housing. Work on the new build scheme has progressed across three sites in Seaham, Burnhope and Spennymoor.
The council has also vowed to ensure social housing is allocated fairly to people in greatest need across County Durham. In recent years, housing waiting lists in County Durham have increased and waiting times for social houses have also grown significantly with fewer lets available.
Thousands more residents have joined the waiting list for housing in the past four years, increasing by about 30 per cent, from 7,000 people to nearly 11,000.
Council officials admitted the authority is facing a housing crisis with a shortage of affordable housing and people priced out of the private rented sector, with more people becoming homeless and requiring temporary accommodation as a result.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Cllr Lyons added: “The actions and outcomes in the revised delivery plans will be effective in delivering the visions of the two strategies by providing good-quality housing that meets everyone’s needs – including older people, care leavers, and veterans – and that is affordable and supports the creation of great places to live.”
The Reform member added that the council remains committed to “eradicating homelessness and rough sleeping, ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home.”
New council-run hubs in Bishop Auckland and Tow Law have opened as part of Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP).
Meanwhile, new strategic place plans for the 12 main towns of County Durham are also being developed to enable local people to influence future funding decisions.
The ongoing plan to end homelessness and rough sleeping was also welcomed by cabinet members, which was launched in 2024 due to the increased need for the local authority to supply council-owned social housing and commission temporary accommodation rather than relying on hotels, holiday lets, and B&Bs.
Cllr Joe Quinn, cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, said: “The County Durham housing, homeless and rough sleeping strategies aim to make County Durham a place that has good-quality homes that meet the needs of existing and future residents and where no one is homeless or needs to sleep rough.”
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
