Housing maintenance and improvement

A series of major policy documents aimed at protecting and enhancing public housing in Dundee are set to be discussed by councillors.

Updated versions of Dundee City Council’s empty homes strategy, five-year strategic investment plan and the annual review of rents will be tabled next week.

Mark Flynn, convener of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee said: “To be able to deliver strong communities where people feel empowered, safe, and proud to live and where the root causes of poverty are being tackled needs a good supply of warm, easy to heat homes.

“But these things do not appear from nowhere, they need detailed, well thought out and realistic documents like these to put down in black and white what we need to do, how we are going to do it and how long it is going to take to get where we want to be.”

Lynne Short, the committee’s deputy convener added: “The framework that these policies and others provides is crucial not only to delivering on our goals, but also in allowing people to see what progress is being made towards them over time.”

The new 22-page empty homes strategy aims to build on the 132 empty homes already brought back into use by using the 1,067 unoccupied houses in the city to provide accommodation. This figure is put into context in the report which notes that there were 1,430 new homeless applications made to Dundee City Council in 2022/2023.

Empty homes are classified as dwellings that have been empty for six months or more and are liable for council tax. The most recent figures published by the Scottish Government in September 2023, show that almost 75% of the long-term empty properties in Dundee are privately owned.

It has been developed through a clear understanding of the impact of empty homes across Dundee on neighbourhoods, communities, homeowners and residents.

The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2025-2030 sets out Dundee’s affordable housing priorities for the next five years and aims to ensure that the city continues to successfully deliver new-build affordable housing for rent.

It reveals that 286 new build social homes are expected to be completed before spring 2027, with more than 500 more “in the pipeline” with start dates between 2025 and 2028.

According to the SHIP. the council will work with partners to ensure that all new build properties constructed within the investment programme meet or surpass the current building regulations.

In addition, where possible energy efficiency measures such as insulation, solar energy, wind power or other suitable measures will be integrated into the construction to help reduce carbon emissions, address fuel poverty and ensure that tenants live in warm, affordable homes.

It also includes additional accessible housing for adults with learning, physical or mental health disabilities, to allow them to receive the appropriate care and support that they need within their local community.

Members of the neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee will be asked to approve discussions with tenants on annual increases ranging from an average of £3.92 to £4.36 per week.

Council house tenants could be consulted on three proposed rent increases between 4.5% and 5% if councillors back the move.

During the two-month consultation as many tenants as possible will be encouraged to share their views on the three options before a report is prepared and considered in January.

Cllr Flynn added: “Every year we try to offer tenants a balanced choice between services remaining at the same high standard they have now or giving the council additional resources to spend more on the things tenants have told us that they want, such as tackling anti-social behaviour.”

As well as using as many ways as possible of gauging tents’ opinions including face to face engagement, social media and continued collaboration with Dundee Federation of Tenants Association and registered tenants’ organisations; information will also be made available about the support services available for people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

The neighbourhood resources, housing and estate management committee meets on Monday (October 28).

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