BMBC 21: Barnsleys Local Area Agreement 2008-2011

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OURCOMMUNITIES: LOCAL PHYSICALENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING THE QUALITY OFTHE HOUSING STOCKOVERVIEW OF THE OUTCOMEHousing StandardsThe vision for housing is that 'Everyone should have access to a homethat is warm, dry and affordable in a peaceful and secure environment.’In common with many similar towns, Barnsley embarked on extensiveslum clearance works in the 1950s and 1960s, whilst at the same timeincreasing the construction of new council houses. The number ofcouncil houses peaked at approximately 35,000 in the early 1980s butsince then the numbers have declined, largely due to the impact of the‘Right to Buy’ scheme. The council stock currently stands atapproximately 19,500. Owner-occupation has continued to grow,although recently there has been a mini-revival in private renting,reflecting the growth of the “buy to let” market. Today, the majority ofhousing in Barnsley is in private ownership, whilst the public sectormakes up 22% of the overall housing stock.The principal measure of housing quality is the Decent HomesStandard. Berneslai Homes are the housing service delivery providerwho manage the Council’s housing stock across the Borough whichcontinues to benefit from the ongoing decent homes improvementprogramme. In the private sector, measures to address poor housingconditions and poor environments are focused on the most vulnerablehouseholds, and areas of housing market weakness. Enhanced stepsare also being taken in ensuring standards are maintained by privatelandlords.Housing related activity also provides a number of other importantbenefits, namely:• Health Benefits – through improvements in housing conditions (forexample, energy efficiency works help to reduce the incidence ofwinter deaths and housing adaptation work enables disabledpeople to continue living independently in their own homes).• Childhood Wellbeing – good quality housing with adequate spaceto study and play is central to children achieving their potential.• Social Inclusion – a variety of supported housing initiatives help tointegrate vulnerable households into local communities.• Community Safety – housing staff work closely with lawenforcement agencies to prevent and minimise the disruptioncaused by anti-social behaviour. In addition ‘secured by design’principles are integral to housing regeneration initiatives.• Economic Prosperity – an affordable and diverse supply of goodquality housing is needed to help to deliver the economic growthforecast for the Borough.31Improving the Quality of Life in Our Communities: Local PhysicalEnvironment, Including the Quality of the Housing StockBarnsley’s Local Area Agreement 2008-11