affordable housing strategy

The Executive Committee of Wokingham Borough Council approved an affordable housing strategy at its meeting on Thursday 14 March. The strategy aims to ensure the right homes are built in the right places and increase the quality and quantity of affordable housing in the Borough.

The strategy was produced in response to increased demand on the council’s housing stock and services, with demand outstripping supply, since the last housing strategy was published in 2020.

It aims to improve outcomes for residents by creating stable and safe homes as well as mitigate future financial pressure on the council. The resilience of the council to cope with increased demand for housing will be ensured by creating a pipeline of good quality affordable housing including housing options with varying levels of support required by different priority groups.

The four strategic priorities are listed as:

1. Addressing and understanding our housing needs

2. Providing suitable accommodation options to our most vulnerable residents

3. Ensuring homes are healthy, safe, efficient, environmentally sustainable and well designed

4. Creating positive social impact to promote inclusive growth and develop thriving communities

A strategy for young people’s housing was also approved at the same meeting. This strategy aims to provide safe, secure and affordable accommodation for priority groups of young people - care leavers, including those who were previously unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and 16-17 year olds at risk of homelessness.

The Lib Dem Leader of the Council, Stephen Conway, said: “Safe, secure and quality housing plays a huge role in people's health, social and economic wellbeing. Everyone should have somewhere safe and secure to call home.

“With these strategies we aim to work with partners, residents and landlords to provide a variety of affordable housing types that meet the varied needs of people in our borough.

“Building the right homes in the right places to create a pipeline of good quality, affordable and stable homes will help reduce social and economic inequalities as well as contribute to healthy, thriving communities.”