Year 3 and 4 (2025 - 2027)
Priority 1 – Making best use of existing homes, improving housing quality and sustainability
1.1 Ensure efficient use of existing housing stock
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Implement Transfer Incentive Policy with RP partners |
Meet with RPs and establish targeted approach. Agree approach with Clarion for their 5- and 6-bed homes. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager / Head of Housing & Health |
|
Address and tackle Empty Homes |
Additional Empty Homes Officer in post by 1 July 2025. |
Housing Improvement Manager |
|
Work with KCC to manage Gypsy & Traveller site |
Agree management model for 2026/27 by 31 October 2025. |
Head of Housing & Health |
1.2 Improve property conditions to provide safe, healthy homes
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Carry out Housing Stock Condition Survey 2026–27 |
Complete survey by 1 October 2026. |
Housing Improvement Manager |
|
Implementation of Renters Rights Bill |
Report to Members in Autumn 2025 once the Act is implemented. |
Head of Housing & Health |
|
Participate in Warm Homes Local Grant Programme (2025–28) |
Subject to Member approval; programme to commence 1 April 2025. |
Housing Improvement Manager |
|
Implement specialist hoarding service |
Deliver hoarding coordinator service with Town & Country Housing from 1 April 2025. |
Housing Improvement Manager |
|
Work with KCC to review BCF allocations and impact on DFG programme |
Meeting with KCC to be held by end of June 2025. |
Head of Housing & Health |
Priority 2 – Improving housing options and preventing homelessness
2.1 Develop a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2025–28)
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Develop Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy |
Use local intelligence to draft strategy and action plan. Review legislative framework. Produce evidence base using national, regional and local stats. Draft strategy and monitoring framework. Seek approvals, launch and implement. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
2.2 Provide personalised homelessness prevention advice
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Strengthen approach so households acknowledge all housing options including PRS |
Develop advice sheets for Huume. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
|
Improve website and enable applicants to self-serve |
Work with website team; link improvements to Private Rented Sector offer. Promote wider advice including GP registration, money advice, tenancy sustainment. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
2.3 Help rough sleepers into settled accommodation
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Tender for RSI-funded service delivery |
Tender and appoint annually as required. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
|
Commission support for new Rough Sleeper accommodation |
Deliver service 2025–26; future review informed by funding. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
|
Develop performance monitoring framework for RSI contracts |
Set quarterly monitoring meetings once provider commissioned. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
2.4 Ensure vulnerable groups have tenancy support
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Increase supply of self-contained homes in Council control for TA |
Property Portfolio Group to deliver TA Delivery Action Plan (including direct delivery, acquisition, leasing, LAHF funding). |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
|
Engage in KHG TA Offer project |
Project starts early 2025; receive updates via KHG. |
Head of Housing & Health |
2.5 Improve links with private landlords
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Develop Private Landlord offer |
Continue development. Draft paper taking into account Renters Reform Bill; set up monitoring before launch; launch and promote offer. |
Housing Solutions Manager |
|
Improve and extend landlord engagement |
Review joint West Kent landlord events. Develop and trial local networking/workshops during 2025–27 and gather feedback. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager / Head of Housing & Health |
2.6 Minimise nightly paid accommodation and expand alternative provision
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Increase Council-controlled TA provision |
Delivery via TA Delivery Action Plan including acquisitions, leasing and use of LAHF. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
|
Engage in regional KHG TA project |
Engagement begins early 2025. |
Head of Housing & Health |
Priority 3 – Delivering the homes residents need
3.1 Understand local housing needs
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Contribute to Planning Policy Team’s Local Plan evidence and policy |
Affordable housing policy development forms part of the new Local Plan. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
3.2 Provide housing choice across tenures and types
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Work with Planning to secure a mix of affordable housing |
Review Affordable Housing Protocol in line with revised NPPF. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
3.3 Ensure specialist / accessible housing is delivered
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Contribute to specialist & accessible housing policy within new Local Plan |
— |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
|
Set up regular engagement with Homes England |
First meeting scheduled for Q1 2025–26. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
3.4 Work with RPs, developers and Homes England to support affordable housing delivery
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Work with internal departments to support housing priorities |
Ensure housing priorities are supported through funding and grant initiatives. |
Head of Housing & Health |
3.5 Consider a Local Housing Company
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Establish Local Housing Company |
Report proposed approach in Q1 2025–26 |
Director of Planning, Housing & Environmental Health |
Priority 4 – Working in partnership
4.1 Partnership working with local authorities and KHG
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Active participation in KHG and sub-groups |
KHOG: prison leavers protocol. Private Sector Group: Renters Rights Bill & Supported Housing. Housing Solutions Manager chairs Kent Home Choice board; Senior EHO (Housing) chairs PSH subgroup. Contribute to Kent & Medway Housing Strategy. |
All Housing Service Teams |
4.2 Engage with Registered Providers and developers
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Develop regular engagement & monitoring of RPs |
Bi-annual meetings with major RPs; annual with smaller RPs; first meetings in 2025–26. |
Housing Strategy & Enabling Manager |
4.3 Work with health colleagues
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Partnership working with health services |
Use funding opportunities for joint projects; continue engagement with West Kent Health & Care Partnership. |
Head of Housing & Health |
4.4 Work with commissioned organisations and third-sector partners
|
Action |
Notes and 2025–27 Targets |
Lead |
|---|---|---|
|
Ensure internal services support housing priorities |
Work across departments to support priorities where possible via funding streams. |
Head of Housing & Health |