Report to:
Cabinet Member Regeneration & Tourism
Date of Issue:
8 April, 2015
Date of Decision: 15 April, 2015
Subject: OVH Bids to the HCA Affordable Housing Programme 2015-18
Report of:
Director of Built Environment
Is this a Key Decision? No
Wards Affected: All
Is it included in the Forward Plan?
No
Exempt/Confidential
No
Purpose/Summary
To consider the bids that have been submitted to the Homes and Communities Agency by One
Vision Housing [OVH], for funding to develop new affordable housing in Sefton, under the 201518 Affordable Housing Programme.
Recommendation(s)
(1) That the Local Authority informs the Homes and Communities Agency that it supports the
scheme bids put forward by One Vision Housing [OVH] as listed in Table A within the
report.
How does the decision contribute to the Council’s Corporate Objectives?
Corporate Objective
Positive
Impact
1
Creating a Learning Community
2
Jobs and Prosperity
X
3
Environmental Sustainability
X
4
Health and Well-Being
X
5
Children and Young People
X
6
Creating Safe Communities
X
7
Creating Inclusive Communities
8
Improving the Quality of Council
Services and Strengthening Local
Democracy
Neutral
Impact
X
Negative
Impact
X
X
Reasons for the Recommendation:
The Director of the Built Environment does not have delegated authority with regards to this
matter.
What will it cost and how will it be financed?
(A)
Revenue Costs
There are no new direct revenue costs arising from the recommendations in this report
(B)
Capital Costs
There are no new direct capital costs arising from the recommendations in this report
Implications:
The following implications of this proposal have been considered and where there are specific
implications, these are set out below:
Legal
Not applicable
Human Resources
Not applicable
Equality
1.
No Equality Implication
2.
Equality Implications identified and mitigated
3.
Equality Implication identified and risk remains
X
Impact on Service Delivery:
The affordable housing programme can help provide new or additional affordable housing in the
borough, to help meet the needs of households on the Council’s Housing Register.
What consultations have taken place on the proposals and when?
The Head of Corporate Finance & ICT (FD 3512/15) has been consulted and notes the report
indicates that there are no new direct revenue or capital costs arising from the recommendations
in this report.
Head of Corporate Legal Services (LD2804/15) has been consulted and has no comments on
the report.
Are there any other options available for consideration?
The Council could opt to offer no strategic guidance to the HCA. However, this would likely result
in no successful funding bids and no new affordable housing developments over the coming
years.
Implementation Date for the Decision
Following the expiry of the “call-in” period for the Minutes of the Cabinet/Cabinet Member
Meeting
Contact Officer: Neil Davies
Tel: 0151 934 4837
Email: [email protected]
Background Papers:
The following papers are available for inspection by contacting the above officer(s).
Report to Cabinet Member Regeneration & Tourism, 13th February 2014; 2015-18 HCA
Affordable Housing Programme
Report to Cabinet Member Regeneration & Tourism, 28th May 2014; 2015-18 HCA Affordable
Housing Programme Bids submitted
Report to Cabinet Member Regeneration & Tourism, 28th August 2014; 2015-18 HCA Affordable
Housing Programme Bid Outcome
Report to Cabinet Member Regeneration & Tourism, 28th November 2014; 2015-18 HCA
Affordable Housing Programme OVH Bids
1.
Introduction/Background
1.1
In November 2014, Cabinet Member Regeneration & Tourism agreed the following
recommendation, in relation to a report concerning 5 scheme bids put forward by OVH
under the HCA’s 2015-18 Affordable Housing Programme;
(1) That the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) be informed of Sefton’s support for
the scheme bids put forward by One Vision Housing (OVH) as detailed within the
report.
1.2
The previous reports also informed Cabinet Member that Registered Housing Providers
may submit further, future scheme bids to the HCA, as part of their Continuous Market
Engagement (CME) funding programme. OVH have identified a further 3 sites/schemes
they wish to base bids upon.
2. Sefton Needs and Strategic Priorities
2.1
Successive Strategic Housing Market Assessments (SHMAs) have found a significant
need for affordable housing in the Borough. This need is most pressing in Southport, but
is also significant in Formby, Maghull / Aintree, and Crosby.
2.2
Both Bootle and Netherton show small surpluses of affordable housing, which is
consistent with the relatively large stock of affordable housing along with some of the
cheapest housing costs in the Borough. Nonetheless the 2014 SHMA suggests that some
affordable housing in Bootle and Netherton should be considered to (i) improve the
mismatch between the size of social rented accommodation required (particularly 1 and 2
bedroom dwellings) and anticipated supply and (ii) to provide opportunities for younger
(lower income) households to access owner-occupied housing.
2.3
Finally, the Strategic Homes Market Assessment (SHMA) 2014 suggests that a key area
of change in the housing market in Sefton over the plan period is likely to be the
significant growth in the population of older people. Therefore, this demographic change
is likely to require additional levels of care/support along with the provision of some
specialist older person accommodation, both in the market and affordable housing
sectors.
3
Proposed strategic prioritisation framework
3.1
In February 2014, Cabinet Member Regeneration and Tourism agreed the following
‘Prioritisation Framework’, which was provided to Registered Housing Providers and
HCA, prior to the initial bidding process.
3.2
Taking into consideration identified need and Government priorities as well as local
priorities, it is suggested that the new strategic priorities should be;


Affordable and intermediate housing in areas of serious undersupply, in particular
affordable rent in Southport and areas outside of Bootle and Netherton.
In Bootle and Netherton a limited supply of one bedroom affordable rented homes and
intermediate (shared ownership) homes



Bringing vacant stock into use; particularly initiatives to provide affordable rent
opportunities in Southport and low cost home ownership opportunities in Bootle.
Meeting gaps in the provision of housing for people with special needs including housing
for the elderly (especially extra care), vulnerable young single people (including those
leaving care), and for households with disabilities, in suitable locations.
Provision of a limited supply of affordable housing in regenerating sites and buildings in
key regeneration areas such as Bootle and Seaforth, particularly where this supports
wider regeneration plans, and new provision meets gaps in supply, such as one and two
bedroom homes.
Over the lifetime of the programme, following further analysis with RP Partners;

Providing investment to RPs to replace/remodel existing affordable housing in areas
where existing stock no longer meets needs (possibly due to welfare reform changes)
with new one bedroom housing to meet changing needs.
[OVER]
4.
Scheme bids Submitted by OVH to the HCA Affordable Homes Programme (20152018)
4.1
The following scheme bids have been submitted by OVH to the HCA. All are deemed to
fit with the strategic priorities set (section 2), and so will meet Sefton’s Affordable Housing
needs.
Table A:
Scheme/Site
Elizabeth
Avenue,
Ainsdale
Number/type Comments
of properties
21 homes
11 – 2 Bedroom
Houses
Mix of 17
affordable
4 - 2 bedroom
Bungalows
rent and 4
shared
6 – 3 Bedroom Houses
ownership
Hart Street,
Southport
3 homes
Kilnyard Road,
Crosby
10 homes
4.2
Site Plan
3 purpose built
bungalows for over
55’s. Catering for
people with reduced
mobility and enduring
physical health needs
so they can choose to
continue to live in their
existing community
rather than in residential
care.
10 X 2 bedroom general
needs family houses
OVH has confirmed that they have provided information about each scheme proposal to
the relevant ward members. There was one issue identified by a Councillor on behalf of
existing OVH residents in properties nearby the Hart Street proposal regarding foul water
drainage. This issue would be addressed through the formal Building Regulation process
within the site boundary and with United Utilities (off site) on commencement of the
development.
4.3
OVH (or their agents) are in the process of undertaking pre-planning application
discussions with Sefton Planners on the Elizabeth Avenue, Ainsdale site. Further
information will be available once this process has been completed.
5
Conclusion
5.1
When the original bid round was conducted by the HCA, compared to previous funding
bid rounds, there were relatively few scheme bids submitted for Sefton. If successful, the
OVH scheme bids will help attract further HCA investment for the provision of affordable
housing, needed in appropriate locations within the Borough.
5.2
The scheme bids submitted by OVH (in table A) align with the prioritisation framework
and the emerging Local Plan policies, within locations which appear suitable (subject to
normal Planning and Building Regulation approvals).
5.3
The HCA will carry out an assessment of each scheme bid including a review of strategic
fit, deliverability and value for money.
5.4
Integral to this process is that Local Authorities are required to state their support of each
scheme bid. Failure to achieve Local Authority support may result in a scheme bid not
being considered for HCA funding.