Affordable Housing Panel

 The Affordable Housing Inquiry Panel met on Monday for an evidence gathering session with officers from the Council’s Housing Service and Planning Service. They received a detailed presentation which covered the following issues:

• Local Authority duties & powers in relation to affordable housing
• Policies & strategies used to address affordable housing so far
• Impact of policies so far
• Constraints on providing affordable housing
• Future challenges
• New Council house building
• New innovative schemes

The Panel and officers discussed a range of issues including: use of section 106 planning obligations; use of Council land to support the development of affordable housing; other options for increasing the supply of affordable housing; the importance of linking housing with affordable transport links and employment; the development of affordable housing in rural areas.

The Panel will continue with an extensive evidence gathering programme between now and December. Up-coming meetings arranged for October and early November include:

• 15th October: a question planning session for future meetings and consideration of some good practice examples from other areas
• 22nd October: an evidence gathering session with representatives from local Housing Associations and Community Housing Cymru (the national representative body for housing associations in Wales)
• 5th November: the Panel will receive the results of the Local Housing Market Assessment

 Panel meetings are open to the public. If you are interested in attending a meeting you can contact us in the Scrutiny Team on 01792 636393 or via email rosie.jackson@swansea.gov.uk .