Strategic Housing Partnership

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE  - QUALITY HOMES FOR ALL

WHERE WE ARE NOW

Trafford is one of the most sought after locations to live in the north of England. Its dynamic economy, coupled with its geographical location, excellent transport links, high educational attainment, general amenities and overall excellent quality of life explains why.

Trafford has good quality and varied types of housing. 96,347 (approx.) properties provide homes for over 200,000 people in the Borough. Furthermore, house prices have remained stable (over the five-year period to 2009, house prices grew by 12%, well in excess of the national average) and a high percentage of housing is built on previously used land, which exceeds Government targets on sustainable housing development.

Trafford shares borders with the Manchester City conurbation and has excellent easy access to the city centre and regional employment centres, making it an area of ‘first choice’ for commuters to settle. It has also been subject to a “ripple” effect from the ‘urban renaissance’ in the city, encouraging growth in new housing developments. This, in turn, has provided Trafford with a healthy demand for social rented housing and private rented sector.

Recent difficulties in the housing market and the financial sector have presented new challenges , which has resulted in a significant increase in numbers registered on the housing waiting list however. However the housing market in Trafford is reliable and stable compared to some other parts of the conurbation.

WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN 2021

By 2021 Trafford and its partners will be at the forefront of national initiatives to address housing delivery and the development of sustainable communities in the Manchester City Region. It will provide a vibrant and responsive housing market capable of meeting a diverse range of needs, especially those of vulnerable people, changing circumstances, and of delivering against its role and responsibilities regarding housing and housing services.

The Trafford housing market will offer:

• Strong, sustainable and safe neighbourhoods.
• Affordability and choice across all tenures and incomes.
• Quality and sustainability.
• Adaptability and flexibility to meet the immediate needs and future aspirations of residents.
• Opportunities for vulnerable people to improve their quality of life.

WHAT WE WILL DO TO GET THERE

A strong housing market also brings challenges. Whilst some areas enjoy high quality housing, high house prices and excellent quality of life, others do not. Home ownership in many parts of the Borough is out of the reach of people on middle and lower level incomes, limiting access and choice for communities, in particular, first-time buyers and black and minority ethnic communities.

We will:

• Reduce the number of housholds living in temporary accommodation by 50% by 2010.
• Achieve a better balance in the housing market between availability and demand.
• Ensure that people with vulnerabilities are supported to have choice and independence.
• Work together to promote equality and opportunity enabling everyone to make informed and realistic decisions about their housing circumstances.
• Develop a programme of investment in neighbourhoods to improve physical and social conditions for communities.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR 2009-12

The first steps towards achieving these goals will be taken over the next three years. We will focus on:

• Affordability, and Access to Housing
• Housing's Contribution to Economic Development - A Growth Agenda
• Promoting Quality and Sustainability
• Strong Neighbourhoods and Cohesive Communities
• Housing for Vulnerable People

HOW YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE SUCCEEDING

We will:

• Increase the supply of new affordable homes in Trafford.
• Map the increasing first-time buyer rates and work to increase this year on year.
• Implement a range of measures in order to reduce the number of vacant properties on an annual basis as identified in the empty property strategy. 
• Ensure that we have up-to-date intelligence in order to provide a responsive and balanced housing market.

The overarching responsibility for monitoring the Delivery Plans will rest with the Strategic Housing Partnership Executive.

Further to this, the Executive, drawn from elected representatives of the Strategic Housing Partnership, will receive and monitor quarterly performance reports taken from the Housing Strategy Delivery Plan. In addition, the Executive will monitor the key objectives, which will demonstrate progress in these longer-term trends. Our success will also be measured by our performance against key national performance indicators around homelessness, unfitness and affordability.

If you wish to find out more about the work that is being undertaken in Trafford or get involved, please contact:

Dennis Smith
Head of Strategic Planning and Housing Services
Trafford Town Hall
Talbot Road
Stretford
Manchester, M32 OTH