Towards a new Tower Hamlets Housing Strategy

This consultation has closed

The council is beginning the process of producing a new housing strategy for the borough. The final strategy that we adopt later in the year will set out what our vision for housing in the borough is, and what policies we intend to adopt to deliver that vision for 2016-21.

It’s an opportunity to bring together the work of the Mayor’s Housing Affordability Commission and reflect upon the progress we have made in tackling  homelessness, reducing overcrowding and taking steps to improve private rented housing. Furthermore, the government’s new Housing and Planning Act – which has just passed  into law will impact on housing in the future.

In addition, welfare reform changes; the limited availability of funding for new affordable rented housing;  and the election of a new Mayor of London in May 2016 provide a timely opportunity to consult on a new approach leading to the adoption of a new housing strategy in the autumn.

There are two public consultation stages to the work we are undertaking.

The first stage consultation process comprises publication of:

• an online survey for respondents to complete
  there is a short and a long survey, seeking people’s opinions and comments on issues that we have identified that will be important to the borough’s new housing strategy
  
  
• a housing strategy challenges and option paper
  

  We have produced a paper 'Towards a New Housing Strategy - Challenges and Options' setting out the challenges we see for the housing strategy, capturing the key strategic and policy issues that we will need to address. We would like your feedback on these challenges and whether you think we have captured the right issues or whether there are other issues that we should focus on.

This first stage of consultation starts on the 16 May 2016 up to the 31 July 2016.

The second stage consultation process comprises publication of:

• a detailed draft housing strategy document with a clear action plan
• draft ‘daughter’ documents of the strategy including the housing allocation scheme, tenancy strategy, homelessness strategy, overcrowding action plan and equalities impact assessment draft documents. These will underpin the delivery of actions identified in the housing strategy.

This second stage of consultation will begin in September 2016 for people to consider and end in October 2016. Part of this process will require the council to consult with local housing associations and the Mayor of London as our housing strategy needs to be in general conformity with the Mayor’s London housing strategy and associated policies for the capital.

Following consideration of comments, we will seek adoption of the final documents by a full meeting of the council in November 2016.

How to get involved

There are various ways you can have your say:

• completing the online form
• email us at housing.strategy@towerhamlets.gov.uk
• attending the various consultation events that take place across the borough over the next few months. More information will be publicised soon
• writing to us at:

Housing Strategy team
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 0469

If the online questions or the housing strategy outline are unclear or you have issues understanding what we have set out, contact us by phone or email and we will explain more clearly what we’re trying to say.