Published 21 August 2024
A range of measures to tackle the housing emergency in West Dunbartonshire have been outlined in a comprehensive action plan which has been published.
West Dunbartonshire Council’s Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, formally declared a housing emergency in West Dunbartonshire in May, with the Scottish Government declaring a national housing emergency just two weeks later.
Since then, a project board has been established in West Dunbartonshire, led by the Chief Officer of Housing and Employability and supported by senior council officers. The board will meet monthly to discuss how the Housing Emergency Action Plan is progressing, with regular updates reported to the Housing and Communities committee.
Four main themes are identified within the action plan which focus on the delivery and maintenance of homes; making best use of existing stock; enhancing housing access and preventing homelessness; and strengthening the financial viability of existing housing budgets.
Actions arising from these themes include ongoing lobbying of key bodies like the Scottish Government by the Convener of Housing and Communities to increase Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding which was cut by 24% in West Dunbartonshire. Internally, the action plan will involve the Council increasing the buy back scheme and exploring external funding options enabling more homes to be built.
It will also see additional scrutiny of the Council’s current approach to empty homes by reducing void times and reletting long term empty homes, as well as working in partnership with others to address delays caused with energy suppliers. Homelessness will remain a priority with a focus on preventative measures.
The Council will also review its own budgets and current funding models to ensure it can deliver an ambitious housing plan.
Consultation on the draft Housing Emergency Declaration Action Plan has already been held with a range of key stakeholders including the West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation providing positive feedback.
Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “Making a housing emergency declaration was an important step in recognising that there is an issue in West Dunbartonshire, driven by a demand for homes, but the Council itself is limited in its means to finding a solution and this must be a collective effort.
“The staff who work within our housing section do fabulous work day in, day out but this strategy is about how we can work better to get the most out of our budgets and our resources in order to maximise our housing stock.
“A vital part of this will involve sustained engagement with local and national stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, making clear the challenges we face and seeking their input to work together towards a better future for our tenants and residents. That is something we all strive for.”
Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Hazel Sorrell, said: “I am delighted that this plan has already been endorsed by the West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation as they know first-hand of the concerns within the heart of our communities.
“This action plan focuses on how we can scrutinise our own processes to get the best out of our budgets and our housing stock as well as engaging with other organisations. This will not be easy but is an important task to undertake.”