Housing Options Policy

The Council no longer owns any housing stock, but instead, makes nominations (via the Choice Based Lettings scheme) or referrals from the Housing Register to Housing Associations, when vacancies occur. The Council administers the Housing Register so that those bidding for properties, who are in greatest housing need, and who have been on the register for the greatest time are given priority for nomination. The Policy is available on this website in the 'linked documents' section on the bottom right hand corner of this page, or for perusal at Centenary House Customer Services Reception.

The Council provides a comprehensive advice service to  prevent homelessness, and to enable people to remain in their own homes and on how to access a range of housing solutions in the area - which include social rented housing and other housing options in the District.

Sometimes, it may be relevant for us to refer you to other forms of housing - our leaflets 'Alternatives to the Housing Register' may be of interest to you. These options include, renting privately, Homebuy (where we assist you to buy a property), Shared Ownership (where we nominate you to a scheme that gives you a 50% share in a particular property), and Key Worker homes (the latter for those in specific occupations). We have a wide range of information leaflets on these for anyone seeking advice. 

To help you find a property in the private sector, the Council operates a rental deposit scheme, where we can help you with the money needed for a deposit and/or rent in advance in the form of a loan.

The Council continues to work with local landlords to encourage and promote good practice in tenancy matters and to prevent the loss of tenancy due to tenants or landlords being unaware of their rights and responsibilities.  The Council’s web site has comprehensive information about council services and links to other agencies. 

The council’s Home Improvement Agency (HIA) ensures that people are aware of the availability of assistance and grant aid for disabled facilities and home repairs, to enable those who might have to otherwise be housed in specialist accommodation to remain in their own homes.

Our Policy for Promoting Safe, Warm and Healthy Homes

A safe, warm and healthy home has a major role to play in people’s safety and well being.  The Local Strategic Partnership has established a health, housing and social care thematic group to lead and co-ordinate on these matters and inform the Community Strategy.  The Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership ensures there is a multi-agency approach to working on issues from the crime and disorder audit.  Anti-social behaviour is one of the highest concerns of Huntingdonshire residents.  As part of the Community Safety Strategy, 5 geographical task groups have been established as well as a specific group for violent crime. 

Policy for Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable People

Housing has a key role to play in supporting community care in the District, through joint working, to maintain independent living.  A Supporting People Implementation Group has been established and a County Supporting People Implementation Group has been appointed.  A Supporting People strategy has been produced.   The Council’s Special Needs Officer participates in established multi-agency groups

Developing Affordable Housing In Huntingdonshire Policy

The development of new housing and refurbishment of previously developed sites by RSLs to meet the need for affordable housing has been prioritised.  The buoyant private housing market, both rented and owner-occupation, already caters for the middle to high earning households, however it does not cater for low income households, benefit dependent households, and households entering the housing market for the first time.  The only option for these groups is social rented housing.  The major need is for social rented housing in the market towns and larger villages.  As the District’s housing market is wider than just Huntingdonshire itself, joint working with neighbouring authorities to identify both private and social sector need is necessary. 

Investment Policy

In 2004, Government has changed the way that money is made available to fund new affordable housing developments - since then, there has been ‘a single housing investment pot’ for the East of England. The Council’s investment planning process ensures that the resources at its disposal are targeted at schemes that will meet its long-term objectives.  The Council funds private sector and disabled facilities grants.  The Government funds 60% of the disabled facilities grants.  The county-wide Supporting People strategy and budget are the means of prioritising and funding supported housing schemes and support services to people.

Policy on Planning Local Housing

Huntingdonshire District Council regularly produces a ‘Housing Strategy' document which the government has due regard to  when considering bids for housing finance. 

The ‘Housing Strategy’ particularly outlines the housing needs of those who cannot afford to buy or privately rent a home and describes ways in which these needs can be met. It presents the Council’s aims and objectives for the next three years, proposes future actions and establishes priorities.

To produce this document, the Council consults with a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations and individuals.  We always welcome comments and feedback and invite visitors to this site to read the consultation drafts  Housing Strategies and send any comments  to us.   The Housing Strategy should prove a useful source of information for the partner agencies working with us to target the identified housing needs of the District.

Policy on Developing Local Housing

Housing associations (now often referred to as Registered Social Landlords or RSLs) are non-profit making organisations, regulated by central government.  To meet the need for affordable housing for those who cannot afford to buy or privately rent, Huntingdonshire District Council encourages housing associations to build new homes or to renovate existing ones and we authorise funding to make this possible.  Specialist schemes for vulnerable groups in the community are also encouraged where a need is discovered.

Our ‘Housing Strategy’ document identifies priority groups and locations for such schemes in Huntingdonshire.  It shows that the current identified need is for homes for single people and smaller family homes in town centres, and that some larger family homes are also required.  Demand in villages is more difficult to establish, but housing may be provided where a need is identified.