The Torbay Housing Strategy 2022-2030 is an overarching document that sets out how the council will promote a balanced housing market; essential to sustainable communities, in response to Torbay’s current housing crisis.

Through leadership and working with partners this strategy aims to improve the delivery, affordability and quality of housing.

The strategy will kick start the delivery of new homes and support improving existing homes and communities; with particular focus on affordable and social rent properties.

The strategy builds upon the Council’s previous housing strategy and seeks to continue the momentum of improvement.

That the draft Housing Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved for a 6-week public consultation.

The current Housing Strategy was adopted prior to the Council declaring a Housing and Climate Emergency in 2021 and prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020.  Both the Housing Delivery Group and the Torbay Strategic Housing Board have recommended that the Housing Strategy be reviewed in light of the Council’s new priorities.

An alternative option would be to not undertake consultation on the Housing Strategy however that would not provide the public, stakeholders and partners the opportunity to improve the housing offer in Torbay.

This decision will be implemented immediately.

The Housing Strategy is the over-arching strategic document that pulls together all aspects of the Council’s strategic housing function.  The draft Strategy sets out what the Council, together with its partners, will be doing over the next 10 years to improve the housing situation for our current and future residents.  Responses to the consultation will better inform the approach the Council will take with all its partners and stakeholders to improve housing supply, conditions and support.

At the meeting Councillor Long proposed and Councillor Morey seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

None.