Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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Figure 10. Policy framework: providing mixed communities and widening choice
Policy framework: providing mixed communities and widening
choice
Mixed tenure RHDG and other regional partners will consider ‘Social HomeBuy’
in the context of delivering both more opportunity to social
tenants, and changing the tenancy mix on single tenure estates.
Key Worker housing Government policy on Key Workers has been driven by the need
to address recruitment and retention difficulties amongst a
particular group of workers in professions essential to the local
community. As the areas with most significant problems are areas
of high house prices, this has led to initiatives to address the
problem through subsidised housing such as the ‘Starter Home
Initiative’ and more recently ‘Key Worker Living’.
Research commissioned by EERA in 2004 has used region-wide
data on vacancy rates to estimate the total annual requirement
to meet Key Worker housing needs. Based on these
recommendations, the draft East of England Plan proposes that
at least 760 net units per year should be provided for Key Worker
housing. This is monitored through the regular KWL updates the
Housing Corporation provides.
These figures are based on an estimate of housing need amongst
occupational groups that are included within the Government’s
KWL criteria i.e. not the exact geographical distribution identified
by Government, but same occupational groups i.e. health workers,
teachers, police and certain categories of local government staff.
Clearly, other public sector workers and staff contracted out from
the public sector contribute to local economy and sustainable
communities and may have similar problems accessing adequate
housing. An assessment of this need will inform the new
programme for First Time Buyers, whereby half the homes will
be for Key Workers identified by the national definition, and
the remainder to go to priority groups identified by RHBs.
The sub-regions will identify the further localised need for Key
Worker housing provision, using guidance from the Affordable
Housing Study (phase 2).
Private rented sector The private rented sector has a significant role to play in
providing products to meet a range of needs, such as temporary
accommodation for homeless families and accommodation for
people in the ‘intermediate‘ housing market. The RHDG will
extend its membership to include a representative from this sector.
Private landlords, will be encouraged to develop their role in
meeting housing need. For private rented sector landlords Housing
Benefit administration is a major issue and therefore a barrier
to greater participation. Housing strategies should take benefit
administration into account. Additionally, rent deposit schemes
may fill gaps left by benefit issues. Authorities should work
towards accreditation schemes with private landlords.