A new strategy to build more affordable homes, improve existing homes, meet the needs of an ageing population and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping has been published by Ipswich Borough Council.
The Council’s Housing Strategy covers the next five years and seeks to address the challenges of delivering its goals in the current economic climate with a lack of available land within Ipswich for new homes.
While the Council is investing £11 million on improving its own housing stock, it is also increasing its efforts to enable the building of more homes of all types and improve homes in the private rented sector.
Preventing homelessness is a key priority. Last year, the Council helped around 600 households stay in their own homes, offering advice and assistance and working with housing providers to increase options available to those threatened with homelessness.
Another key is to strengthen links between housing, health, economic development and other partners to ensure the Council meets the many varied needs of its residents.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, the Council’s Housing portfolio-holder, said: “Ipswich is one of the fastest growing urban centres in the East of England. We have a growing number of families and people living longer. Add increased economic growth and the result is a growing housing need. Ipswich needs more quality affordable homes, and more homes to support the needs of older residents. The Council wants all its own homes to meet a high standard.”
You can read the full strategy here.
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