We are doing all we can to ease housing pressures, with many important and exciting projects underway.
At our Hub Committee on 11 March, councillors agreed our annual housing action plan and took the opportunity to reflect on the work being done to address the Borough’s housing crisis and increased demand for temporary accommodation.
In Summer 2024 The Devon Housing Commission published a report and recommendations for tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis in Devon. We have already identified a significant number of these recommendations and are working towards achieving them, delivered through our Housing and Homelessness strategies. Projects include:
- Three new flats on Plymouth Road in Tavistock to be used as temporary accommodation for homeless households.
- The purchase of eight homes through the Local Authority Housing Fund with plans for a further three, attracting 40% in Government grants for match funding.
- 16 new energy efficient lower cost homes in Lifton, delivered by Plymouth Community Homes. 10 will be offered for social rent and six homes will be made available for shared ownership.
- Expansion of Pilchers Field in Crapstone, delivering five new assisted supported living homes.
Last year, we also launched our West Devon Housing Offer to help local communities deliver lower cost homes in areas that need it the most. Our support and funding through the Housing Offer is there to help communities research and form community housing groups such as Community Land Trusts to kickstart housing projects.
We have also agreed to charge Council Tax Premiums on second homes. The money we take from this scheme will be set aside to improve housing in the Borough.
The decision to ringfence the second homes income for the very people who are impacted by the lack of available housing in the area demonstrates our commitment to tackling the housing crisis.
Councillor Mark Renders, Hub Member for Housing at West Devon Borough Council said: “We are proud of the work we are doing to help tackle the housing crisis and we remain committed to supporting our residents with their housing needs.
“Our communities know our towns better than anyone, so we encourage anyone serious about creating new homes to come forward and take advantage of our West Devon Housing Offer. By working together, we can make sure we deliver the right homes in the right places.
“As we say in our Council Plan, we want to look for opportunities to improve housing outcomes that make the greatest difference to our residents”
For more information on all things Housing, go to: www.westdevon.gov.uk/housing
