'Torre Marine shows we're working to find housing solutions'
It's claimed Devon has a growing housing crisis - and the elderly and vulnerable are feeling the brunt
Last updated 30th Nov 2022
Today we're reporting from a site in Torquay - where there's plans to build 70 apartments to help boost levels of social housing.
Councillor Swithin Long, who oversees economic regeneration, has been speaking to us on the site of Torre Marine, which he says is a start as they work to reverse years of underinvestment.
Torbay has an eight per cent social housing level, compared with the national average of 18 - and the council is currently updating its housing strategy to reflect recent market changes - which was due to run until 2025.
He says the 'cost-of-living crisis is creating additional pressures and more individuals and families strive to access fewer available properties than ever before'.
"At the same time, landlords have been taking advantage of the changing housing market by selling their properties, changing their use to holiday lets and increasing rents. This is making it more difficult for those on lower incomes to find affordable accommodation.
"It doesn’t help that Torbay has less social housing than many other parts of the country – eight per cent compared to the national average of 18 per cent.
"Quite simply, we have lots of people but not enough homes to go around.
“According to government figures, we need 600 new homes a year to meet current demand, including affordable homes. We’re not convinced the government’s method for calculating that figure is accurate and we’ll be challenging that.
“There’s one figure that’s not in doubt – in Torbay, there are more than 1,500 households registered with Devon Home Choice who need a permanent home and that doesn’t even include demand from our 80 cared-for children.
“As more households face homelessness due to the cost of living crisis, these figures are only going to rise so we need to find solutions now. There isn’t a one size fits all approach and we’re looking at a range of measures to deal with the issue.
“We’re keen to talk to and work with organisations who can improve affordable housing for everyone. We know there are many positive people in the Bay with drive and ambition to get things done. It’s those people, groups and organisations we want to connect with.”
He says: "Much of what Torbay Council can do is limited by government policy. As well as challenging the government’s method for working out how many new homes are needed, the council will also be lobbying the government on the local housing allowance rate.
"The rate is used to calculate housing benefit for tenants renting from private landlords. The current rates leave a shortfall for renters and the council wants this addressing.
"It is also looking at its own plans and strategies.
"The Torbay Local Plan update is currently out for consultation. The plan sets out different options for how Torbay can meet housing targets, while ensuring the environment is protected."
Councillor Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: “We understand more homes need to be built, but we’re aware we need to carefully balance this against protecting the Bay’s beautiful natural environment.
“Local residents are keen to safeguard this for future generations and we know our landscape is what makes people want to invest here so we have to get it right. We want to hear from as wide a range of the public as possible.
"The council is also consulting on a new Housing Strategy. The strategy sets out how it can improve the delivery, affordability and quality of housing in the Bay.
"The current strategy runs until 2025, but the update is a recognition of the changing housing market and its impact on residents.
"As with anything, it’s not until you start putting money behind it that you really begin to see change.
Cabinet agreed in its budget earlier this year to set aside funding to deal with areas like bringing empty homes back into use.
A spokesperson explained: "This is a subject that council taxpayers feel very strongly about – there are decent properties out there which are laying empty while families struggle in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
"Officers will also work to ensure stalled sites with planning permission are progressed through to development.
"The council has also made a £10m investment in buying and renovating 37 properties for homeless people.
"Other tools at the council’s disposal are interim management orders used in the private rented sector.
"Although officers always strive to work with landlords to help them manage their properties better, they sometimes need to step in to protect the occupiers, and if applicable, those occupying or owning properties nearby.
"They will only use interim management orders when a landlord is not working with them to improve standards. It means the council can manage the property in the landlord’s place including collecting rent and carrying out repairs.
"The aim is that by taking direct intervention, improvements will be made and hopefully, the property can be returned to the landlord.
"The vast majority of landlords manage their properties well which is why the council is appealing directly to them. There are many property owners out there of all descriptions – everything from buy-to-let investors to ‘accidental’ landlords.
"These could be people who find themselves with a property unexpectedly – if a parent goes into care or dies, for example. The housing team would like to connect with them so they can let their home to a family in need of one. There are a range of incentives and support available to landlords to ensure smooth tenancies.
"They also want to look at whether people are in the most suitable home for their needs. Everyone knows of families in overcrowded accommodation who desperately need to move to bigger properties. At the same time, there are individuals who may be in homes that are too big for them who would benefit – for a variety of reasons – from being in a smaller space.
"That’s why the council is launching its Rightsizing Project. This aims to ‘fit’ people into homes that best suit their needs.
"But it’s not just about existing homes. More affordable properties need to be built.
"TorVista Homes, which is building affordable properties on behalf of Torbay Council, has appointed Classic Builders to build nine affordable rented homes and one adaptable home at Totnes Road in Paignton.
"TorVista plans to develop a range of affordable housing options in Torbay over the coming years. This will be TorVista’s first new-build project and hopefully, the first of many.
"Earlier this year, the council consulted with the public about plans to build 101 new homes, including 30 per cent affordable, at Preston Down Road in Paignton. A planning application for this has now been submitted to the council.
"The council has also been part of an innovative scheme which has seen prisoners build modular ‘pod’ homes to tackle the South West’s housing crisis.
"The South West Reducing Reoffending Partnership is working with partners to deliver the Prisoners Building Homes programme. It sees prisoners working with housing providers to build low carbon, modular homes for local communities and vulnerable people across the region.
"As well as providing much-need housing, it offers an opportunity to reduce reoffending by ensuring prisoners have the skills they need to help secure employment upon their release.
"Prisoners from HMP Leyhill built the test home on Torbay Council land in Torquay and the council is involved in discussions about building more of these homes in the Bay to help ease housing demand.
"Provision also needs to be made for more vulnerable members of the community – such as cared-for children.
"The council is looking at giving cared-for children the best start in life by making them a priority for TorVista Homes and other registered housing providers.
"It will also look at them remaining with foster carers longer term and exploring options for banding in Devon Home Choice to see if care experienced young people can be given a higher priority."
Councillor Cowell added: “We must do what we can to tackle the issue as best we can with the resources at our disposal. Everyone should have a roof over their head, but it’s about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating places that people can call home for the long term.
"If you are at risk of losing your home, the earlier you contact Torbay Council, the better chance they have of being able to help you."