The document outlines the Council's plans for the next five to 10 years and is divided into four parts, dealing with homes, people, places and prosperity. It also highlights "the importance of good housing in improving the health, social and economic prospects of Westminster residents".
The chapter in relation to housing emphasises the need to deliver a wide range of new homes in London. Although affordable social housing remains a key topic, it also stresses the significance of providing intermediate housing for low and middle income households. A recent study carried out by the Council has shown that 420 new affordable homes are needed each year, of these, 240 need to be intermediate housing.
One of the Council's aims is to "create mobility in the intermediate sector" to support people who can eventually move onto the property ladder. The Council is looking at possible schemes in order to support this.
In the draft strategy, the Council has set a target of delivering 1,250 affordable homes over the next five years. It has identified several ways in which it can reach this target. This includes redeveloping Council owned housing estates, purchasing existing homes, reviewing opportunities with housing association providers and obtaining affordable housing through section 106 agreements. For the first time, the Council has also suggested that it is looking at developing homes in areas outside Westminster as there will always be a shortage of homes in Westminster.
The Council has also proposed to change its planning policy so that "in new affordable housing developments, 60% of homes will be intermediate housing and 40% social." This will help meet the demand for intermediate housing without reducing the existing resources.
Westminster will also look at improving current council properties and invest "£12 million to help tackle damp and cold in council homes" and dispose of any properties that cannot be improved to help council tenants who are living in poor conditions.
"By securing more affordable homes we will be able to support those who need help to get on the housing ladder while not diminishing our ability to help those most in need," said Westminster Council cabinet member for housing, regeneration, business and economic development Daniel Astaire. "We particularly want to promote opportunity, especially for people on comparatively low incomes who work in jobs crucial to Westminster’s economic success. At the moment there are few homes in Westminster they can afford and increasing the supply of affordable homes will help ensure Westminster does not become home only to the very rich and poor."
Planning expert Susanne Andreasen of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com said: "Affordable housing continues to be a hot topic in London and Westminster's focus on delivery of affordable homes in its Draft Housing Strategy recognises the positive effect such delivery can have on the local and London-wide economy."
"Identifying new ways to secure the delivery of homes is in line with the mayor's recently published Draft Interim Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance which encourages innovative thinking when it comes to identifying methods to meet housing need" said Andreasen. "The proposal to develop homes outside Westminster's boundaries is a novel approach, although it may prove challenging to implement given that many local authorities struggle to identify sufficient land to meet their own housing needs. It will be interesting to see whether other London councils will look to adopt a similar strategy and what the response will be from the councils where new housing is proposed to be built."