They are being invited to take part in a six week consultation programme on the strategy – which once finalised will be used to secure and direct future housing investment across the county.

Developed by the North Yorkshire Strategic Housing Partnership, it will provide a framework to develop housing policies and initiatives.   As a result it will impact on organisations that deliver housing and related services as well as affecting the people who live in the county now.

The partnership brings together the eight housing authorities in the county – Craven Borough Council, City of York Council, Hambleton District Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Richmondshire District Council, Ryedale District Council, Scarborough Borough Council and Selby District Council - North Yorkshire County Council and the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.

The draft strategy has been produced following initial consultation with stakeholders and residents in March 2009. It includes a number of housing priorities for the area based around four themes and a proposed vision - to make York and North Yorkshire an inclusive place where everyone can have access to decent affordable homes and effective support when they need it.

“Only by listening to - and taking into account - the views of as many people as possible can we produce a strategy that tackles the most critical housing issues in York and North Yorkshire,” said Councillor Jean Butterfield, Chair of the Local Government York and North Yorkshire Housing Board.

“We really need to hear from stakeholders and the public if we are going to make sure the strategy is unique and the right way for us to attract housing investment in the future.  That way we can continue to deliver much needed affordable housing and improve housing choices and services within our communities.”

The consultation programme – which kicks off on January 25 – will include focus groups, questionnaires and local events. For further information on them – and to access the on line survey - visit www.northyorkshirehousingstrategy.co.uk; one of the local authority websites or pick up a leaflet from housing departments.

A summary of the feedback will be available by the end of March when views will be reported back to the Local Government York and North Yorkshire Housing Board and the final strategy up for approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Focus groups will be held on:
• ‘Improving access to housing services’: February 3 - 10:30am - 1:30pm - Craven District Council Offices
• ‘Reducing homelessness’: February 9 - 10am - 1pm - Vita Dome, Spa Complex, South Bay, Scarborough
• ‘Enabling the provision of more affordable homes’: February 22 - 1pm – 3:30pm - Civic Centre, Northallerton
• ‘Making best use of the existing housing stock’: - March 2 10am - 1pm - Selby Civic Centre

Local meetings will also be held – contact each council for more information:
City of York Council - Paul Landais-Stamp – 01904 554098
Craven District Council – Wyn Ashton - 01756 706338
Hambleton District Council - Helen Fielding - 01609 767176
Harrogate Borough Council – Dawn Saxby – 01423 556851
Richmondshire District Council – Mark Robson - 01748 829100
Ryedale District Council - Richard Etherington - 01653 600666
Scarborough Borough Council - John Burroughs - 01723 383649
Selby District Council - Simon Parkinson - 01757 292106
North Yorkshire County Council - Avril Hunter- 01609 536898
North York Moors National Park - Val Dilcock- 01439 770657
Yorkshire Dales National Park - Peter Stockton – 01969 650456

Or check out the following websites: