Content

10.1

The
Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report
setting out a draft Housing Strategy for Sheffield. The report sets
out five strategic housing ambitions for the next decade to achieve
our vision that everyone in Sheffield has a home that supports good
health and is suitable for their needs and
aspirations.

Having
good quality, sustainable homes that meet the needs of our growing
population is a vital part of achieving the outcomes in the Council
Plan, contributing to driving the prosperity of the city, our
communities and ensuring that we take action to protect our
environment. The draft Housing Strategy is a Tier 1 strategy for
Sheffield City Council as it sets the longer-term strategic
direction for housing in the city and will be underpinned by more
detailed strategies and delivery plans to achieve specific
commitments (eg. Housing Growth
Delivery Plan).

Citizens and partners have been involved in shaping the draft
Housing Strategy vision and ambitions and it is recommended that we
undertake further consultation
on the draft Strategy before presenting a finalised
version to Strategy and Resources Policy Committee in the autumn of
2024.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) endorse the
draft Housing Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1;
 
(b) approves the
launch of a second phase of public consultation on the draft
Housing Strategy;
 
(c) agrees that
the outcome of the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy will
be presented back to the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee in
the autumn of 2024; and
 
(d) agrees that
a final draft of the Housing Strategy will be presented to
the  Strategy
and Resources Policy Committee in the autumn of 2024 for
consideration and approval.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

It is not a
legal or statutory requirement to have a Housing Strategy and
therefore there is no legal requirement for the Council to carry
out consultation. However, the Council cannot deliver the Housing
Strategy on its own and, as a Council, we are committed to working
with residents and partners across the city to develop strategies
that effectively meet the needs of our communities and sets the
Sheffield’s strategic ambition for Housing.

 

 

10.3.2

Approval to launch the second phase of consultation on the draft
text of the Strategy will allow for this vital engagement with
residents, partners and community groups across the city, and
timely completion of the project to deliver the new
Strategy.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Do not develop a
Housing Strategy: The development of a Housing Strategy is not a
statutory duty. The Council is not, therefore required to produce
one, and other strategies, such as Homelessness Prevention and
Rough Sleeping Strategy, are produced to consider specific issues.
However, this option was rejected, on the grounds that a long-term,
strategic document is seen as critical to guide planning,
development/investment and policy over the next decade and this is a cornerstone strategy for the
city. A Housing Strategy is produced by Local Authorities in
comparable cities to set their strategic vision and ambition for
Housing. The approach to not develop a Housing Strategy is
therefore Not recommended.