Decision Maker: Housing Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 23, 2025

Purpose: Develop a new five-year strategy which will be a junior strategy to the new ‘keystone’ Housing Strategy being developed and help to deliver the parent Strategy’s priorities for meeting the housing needs and aspirations of all of Sheffield’s older residents.   Once the new Housing Strategy has been approved by the Strategy and Resources Committee (expected in autumn 2024), seek approval to consult with the public and partners on the draft OPIL Housing Strategy.

Content: 9.1 The committee considered a report of the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services seeking approval from the Housing Policy Committee to consult with residents and partners on the draft 5-year Older People’s Housing Strategy. The report summarised the key content of the Strategy and the consultation plan.     9.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-   1.    Endorses the draft Older People’s Housing Strategy for consultation purposes, as set out in Appendix 1. 2.    Approves the launch of the second phase of public consultation on the draft Older People’s Housing Strategy. 3.    Agrees that the outcome of the consultation on the draft Older People’s Housing Strategy will be presented back to the Housing Policy Committee in summer 2025. 4.    Agrees that at the same Housing Policy Committee meeting, a final draft of the Older People’s Housing Strategy will be presented for consideration and approval.     9.3 Reasons for Decision 9.3.1 The draft Older People’s Housing Strategy reflects the priorities, challenges and opportunities the public and other partners have told us about in relation to meeting the housing needs and aspirations of Sheffield’s older adults. The Strategy responds to the impacts of a large and growing older population, the city’s significant shortage of age-friendly housing that supports independence, and the implications of failing to meet the challenges and opportunities that these present. In doing so, it will contribute to the Council Plan, help to deliver the Housing Strategy 2024 – 2034; and support Sheffield’s commitment to being an age-friendly city.     9.3.2 Consultation on the draft Older People’s Housing Strategy will help to ensure that the final Strategy provides an effective and credible plan for meeting the housing needs and aspiration of older adults and that it is aligned with partners’ approaches to supporting health and independence in later life. It will help to identify opportunities for partnership working, which will be essential to successfully delivering the Strategy. The consultation will provide opportunities for groups and communities who were under-represented in the first consultation phase to shape the final Strategy and help to ensure it addresses inequalities that exist in accessing a suitable home and support in later life. The Council is committed to putting people at the heart of what we do, and the consultation reflects this principle and fulfils a commitment to allowing residents to have their say on the draft Strategy.     9.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected 9.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do not develop the Strategy   We could choose not to produce an Older People’s Housing Strategy as there is no statutory requirement to do so. However, the Older People’s Housing Strategy forms a key delivery document for the overarching Housing Strategy. The first consultation phase also announced delivery of the Strategy to the public and partners.     9.4.2 Not going ahead with the consultation and delivery of the Strategy is still an option but is likely to result in moderate reputational damage to the Council, whilst leaving a strategic gap in addressing the housing needs and aspirations of Sheffield’s growing older population.